Lloyd Banks drops scary-good rap verses in “Halloween Havoc 5.”
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TOP 5
5. Choose Wisely
This album needed a little soul.
“Choose Wisely” brings a soulful touch to the album, though Lloyd Banks doesn’t ease up. His gritty verses address anonymous critics hiding behind fake profiles, his determination to pursue greatness, and even poke fun at lopsided BBLs. The track shows Banks in peak form, unleashing rapid-fire lyrics with razor-sharp flow and mechanics. In other words, he spits like the rent is several months overdue.
4. Double Up
“Bases loaded, I’m ripping them out the park again.”
The chorus on “Double Up” stands out as one of the album’s catchiest, with a subtle melody that sticks with you and insightful lyrics about overcoming adversity and savoring victory. Banks’ verses impress as well, with standout lines like, “my spirit animal s**ts on demand, I potty trained it,” which definitely makes you pause and think. Seriously, what the hell could make him say that?
3. Connosseiur
The unstoppable flow Lloyd Banks uses in this track needs to be witnessed.
“Connoisseur” feels like a warm-up track, with a laid-back hip-hop beat that feels timeless and lyrics showcasing Banks’ unshakeable confidence and enduring hunger from his early days. The track’s highlight, however, is his clever wordplay and layered flow, which he executes with finesse.
2. Season Of The Psychos
To Lloyd Banks’ defense, anyone who celebrates Halloween on a weekday is a sicko.
I love the beat that drives “Season Of The Psychos.” It has a nice tempo, along with some eerie vibes that blend perfectly. I also enjoy how Lloyd Banks tackles the beat with a mechanical rap flow in his verses and a simpler one on the chorus, sounding ready to take out anyone in his way—even family members. Plus, his competitive moments really hit the mark.
Favorite punchline: “Everything’s a joke to a hyena.”
1. You Have My Word
This is exactly what Joe Biden said to Kamala Harris before ghosting her.
I love that Lloyd Banks started this album with “You Have My Word,” a track where he showcases this persistent flow that pairs perfectly with his nonchalant tone and confident lyrics that remind folks he isn’t the one to test like number 2 pencils. My only issue is that Lloyd took shots at Tubi in his first verse (Tubi is dope as hell, to me).
Favorite punchline:
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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OVERALL RATING
(C+) (78%)
Lloyd Banks can rap his ass off.
Production:
If you’re into traditional, mellow hip-hop beats with a dose of horrific vibes, this album will tickle your fancy. I am a fan of these, and I enjoyed every second of them.
Guest Appearances:
Zero. Not a single person is featured on this album. Hell, I didn’t even hear background singers.
The Performances:
Lloyd Banks is an unbelievably good rapper. On this album, his punchlines are the right mix of complex and notable, his flows are dynamic enough to give respect to but also steady enough to respect, and the lyrical content he mainly tackles, which revolves around being extra competitive and street smart, is admirable. The only thing that might not resonate with you is his tone. He still sounds a little on the sleepy side.
What Would I Change About This Album?
The publicity behind the album. I literally had zero clue this album was coming out; no one on X was talking about it, and 50 Cent, who is always on social media, said nothing. I feel like people really should listen to this album.
The Biggest Reason You Should Listen To This Album:
The rapping on this album is high-level. S**t, strictly from this standpoint, it’s one of the best I’ve heard this year.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
