Banks' Rotten Apple Proves He Was Hungry For More
By Gabriel Oct 17, 2006 | 1 out of 1 found this Rotten Apple review helpful
Pros: Amazing Lyrics, Great amount of Tracks, Working with people outside the G-Unit Camp, Hot Beats
Cons: Although there are hot beats, the production seems all blended in one direction, and the beats don't branch off to make each cut REAL different
Two years have passed since we first heard the money being counted on the introduction to The Hunger For More. Banks had proved he was a lyrical force, and just because he was the protege of 50 Cent, didn't mean he couldn't deliver hits. He p...roved to us that G-Unit, indavidually, has talent, and that he was lyrically better than 50 himself. Now it's 2006, and Banks puts out his sophomore album Rotten Apple. After hearing the last two G-Unit albums, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon by Tony Yayo, and Blood Money by Mobb Deep, I was thinking that G-Unit was heading to it's demise. But then came this album, and Banks just did it again. He brought the rise of G-Unit and hopes for more coming hits from Young Buck and other G-Unit members. Rotten Apple delivers Lloyd's lyrical abilities and world famous punchlines, and all of the components you found in the Hunger For More. It even expands due to the fact he works with some members outside of G-Unit as well, so we have a good mix of guest. Lyrically Banks can't be stopped, if he's in the track you know it's going to be fire. Production wise the album has hot beats, and beats that can make you go crazy. But the problem with production is that although they are hot beats, they are all similar in a way. When you heard the Hunger For More, the beats were all hot, but each beat had something that made it different from the other. All the beats here are hot, buch each has a style that moves in the same lane. Otherwise, the album is hot and definitley a suprising good sophomore release. Here is a lay down on each track: Track 1: Rotten Apple, Feat. 50 Cent and Prodigy -The intro to the album you have been waiting for, yet the intro didn't really impress me. The beat was hot and Banks' verse was hot, the hook by 50 and verse were cool, Prodigy's verse was OK. It made me think "Oh please don't let this be another G-Unit dud". The track will eventually grow on you however and you can learn to live with it, but doesn;t give a great first impression like "Ain't No Click" did. Track 2: Survival - Definitley had me way happier, and is probably one of the hottest songs in the entire album. The beat is insane, the hook is just hot, the punchlines and story tellin keep coming. Definitley a blazing track that stands out. Track 3: Playboy Part II - Banks seems to make sequals to his own songs (such as Warrior Part 2), and I'm not really agaisnt it at all. This one sounds very similar to the first, with an almost similar beat and the crowd right with him. Definitley something you can bump too. Track 4: The Cake Feat. 50 Cent - Hot, Hot, Hot, most people have heard it already through the mixtape circuit. Hot beats and verses by both Banks and 50, just goes to show that Banks loves his doe (I'm slick with rhymes to don't get it twisted, just kidding) Track 5: Make A Move - A hot club track with a hot flow, beat, and lyrics. Reminds me sort of "On Fire" if you think about it. This is something you can bump in the club and he still keeps it G'd up with his witty punch lines. Sort of a gangsta/club track. This one also stands out the album. Track 6: Hands Up Feat. 50 Cent - Another hot club track after another. Already has a video out and most people have heard it. Produced by lyrical genius Eminem. Something to just bump and have fun with, with lots of punchlines. Most have heard it. Different beat from the previous tracks, due to the Eminem production. Track 7: Help Feat. Keri Washington - Similar to the track "Karma". Keri does an amazing hook and Banks just does one for the ladies. Shows that a G got a soft side too, if you like Karma then you will probably like this one too. Beat is hot as well, but blended with th others just with a female touch. Track 8: Addicted - This is a hot track that just shows off his skills and shows his addiction to music and his spot in the Read more Less
