H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2)
Encyclopedia
H.F.M. 2 is the third studio album
by American hip-hop artist Lloyd Banks
, released on November 22, 2010 through G-Unit Records
and EMI
.
The title of the album was later confirmed by 50 Cent
in an interview with MTV News. The album was thought to be possibly released under Interscope
, by a new contract of the label and the rapper; also the Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine
revealed that he wants to sign the rapper to Interscope again, and he asked label mate 50 Cent
"what can I do to sign Lloyd Banks again?". Banks has said that he is willing to re-sign, but only if Interscope is willing to issue an apology for "doubting him." On August 13, 2010
Banks said this about his upcoming album, "When I wrote [Hunger For More], I took my whole life and tried to squeeze all those experiences into one album,". "You’ve got your whole life to make your first album and you can’t get it all out in 14 songs. There are a lot of similarities between The Hunger for More
and H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2). One, the fact that I made both of these albums without any distractions or input from the label, or anyone else for that matter. Two, the energy feels the same."
Banks announced that his album would be released under G-Unit Records
and EMI
.
In an interview on Global Grind live, he stated that he had worked with J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
on the project. In relation to this statement, a song leaked entitled "Don't Deserve You" which was produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
.
, he said he wants to regain the success that he had with his first album. The album cover was released by Lloyd Banks' official website and Twitter page on October 5, 2010. The album cover is similar to his first but show changes in wealth and surrounding.
show along with the Mo'Nique show to promote the album.
The album appeared on November 2, 2010 for iTunes
pre order along with the single "Start It Up." Lloyd Banks
will be releasing a documentary on MTV
, called "The Road To H.F.M. 2". It will premiere the day after his album is released along with another documentary that will appear on his Ustream.tv channel. Lloyd Banks
revisited MTV
rap fix live and premiered a couple of tracks.
" was released on February 9, 2010, featuring Juelz Santana
, and has been confirmed as the first single. The remix was released on May 13, 2010, featuring Ludacris
, The-Dream
, Jadakiss
, Yo Gotti
.
"Any Girl
" is the second single from the album and it features R&B singer Lloyd
. It was released on June 8, 2010. The music video was released on August 15 through MTV.
"Start It Up
" was confirmed as the third single from the album. It was released to iTunes
on November 2, 2010. It features Swizz Beatz
, Kanye West
, Ryan Leslie
& Fabolous
.
"I Don't Deserve You
" was confirmed as the fourth single from the album by 50 Cent
in an interview with MTV News
. The single features R&B singer Jeremih
. It was released as a digital download
on November 22, 2010 and released to radios on January 6, 2011.
"So Forgetful
" is the fifth single from the album which features R&B singer and producer Ryan Leslie
. The music video was released on May 8, 2011 through MTV.
, Buda Da Future, and Nick Speed
. Banks also confirmed production from Ryan Leslie
, Lamis Carneiro, Nascent, Young Seph
, and G'Sparkz. It was confirmed by thisis50.com that Lloyd Banks had been working with Doe Pesci in the studio on beats for the album. In interviews with MTV News
Banks' confirmed that Cardiak
produces four songs on the album.
, Kanye West
, Lloyd
, Juelz Santana
, 50 Cent
, Styles P
, Raekwon
, Tony Yayo
, Jeremih
and Akon
. Newly confirmed artists on the album are, Fabolous
, Pusha T
, Governor
and Swizz Beatz
. Even though 50 Cent
confirmed Chris Brown was on the album, Banks later denied this in an interview with XXL
. In an interview with XXL, Banks confirmed that he had wanted to have Prodigy
on the track with Styles P
on the album. Banks confirmed that he had had a conversation with R&B singer Ashanti to possibly collaborate for the album. In mid October, a Youtube video containing footage of Banks in the studio with both Gucci Mane
and Waka Flocka Flame
was released, in which they were supposedly recording a song for the album. Lloyd Banks originally said that Nipsey Hussle
would be on the album, but this didn't happen.
. As of October 2011 H.F.M.2 has sold 325,000 copies.
, stating that "the execution isn’t as good the second time around, but Banks has reestablished his sound, and made clear that he is still a major force to be reckoned with in the rap game." Allmusic writer Dave Jeffries, despite citing a lack of new ideas as one of the album's weaknesses, was also positive about the album: "At 13 tracks the album feels right-sized, not overstuffed, and Banks himself is in fine form throughout, delivering stone cold and slow punch lines that are as lethal as ever. When it comes to evolution, there’s really none, but even though he’s been here before, veteran fans will appreciate his return."
Giving the album a rating of 7/10, Ben Detrick of Spin
stated that "Lloyd Banks' hunger is not born of starvation, but of an insatiable appetite. On his third solo effort, the G-Unit rapper is a connoisseur of cars, women, and guns, spinning tight spider webs of syllables that are often so patterned that they obscure individual strands. "Put my Ferrari in park, give 'em a running start," Banks growls on "Payback," a sinister track with mentor 50 Cent and a woozy, almost dubstep bass line. But he loves the ladies almost as much as barking threats. On "So Forgetful," an apology to past conquests, Banks muses about "wet spots on the mattress and champagne splashes" atop producer Ryan Leslie's 8-bit Atari synths." Steve Jones of USA Today
was also positive about the album, giving the album 3/5 stars and citing that "the G-Unit rapper seeks to rekindle the spark of his critically acclaimed 2004 platinum debut by recalling both the title and the potent street vibe. Banks enlists several like-minded rappers — Pusha T, Styles P, Juelz Santana and Raekwon— who complement his own grittiness. The same goes for R&B stars Akon and Lloyd as he relies mainly on his signature jaw-breaking punch lines while eschewing a rash of poppish hooks. Banks is well served by his refusal to compromise just for airplay. His Hunger should whet his fans' appetites for even more."
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American hip-hop artist Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
, released on November 22, 2010 through G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
and EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
.
Background
Using Twitter, Lloyd Banks originally stated that the album was called The Hunger for More 2. It was unknown whether the album name was official or not.The title of the album was later confirmed by 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
in an interview with MTV News. The album was thought to be possibly released under Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, by a new contract of the label and the rapper; also the Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
revealed that he wants to sign the rapper to Interscope again, and he asked label mate 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
"what can I do to sign Lloyd Banks again?". Banks has said that he is willing to re-sign, but only if Interscope is willing to issue an apology for "doubting him." On August 13, 2010
Banks said this about his upcoming album, "When I wrote [Hunger For More], I took my whole life and tried to squeeze all those experiences into one album,". "You’ve got your whole life to make your first album and you can’t get it all out in 14 songs. There are a lot of similarities between The Hunger for More
The Hunger for More
The Hunger for More is the debut album by G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks, released June 29, 2004 on G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. Banks had been featured on 50 Cent's multi-platinum 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin, and on G-Unit's Beg for Mercy in November of the same year...
and H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2). One, the fact that I made both of these albums without any distractions or input from the label, or anyone else for that matter. Two, the energy feels the same."
Banks announced that his album would be released under G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
and EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
.
In an interview on Global Grind live, he stated that he had worked with J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, which stands for Just Undeniably Some of The Illest Composers Ever, are a Grammy winning group of producers and instrumentalists from Tampa, Florida. The group consists of members Rook, Colione, and Kenny "Barto" Bartolomei. Most recently, they have been producing for Drake,...
on the project. In relation to this statement, a song leaked entitled "Don't Deserve You" which was produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, which stands for Just Undeniably Some of The Illest Composers Ever, are a Grammy winning group of producers and instrumentalists from Tampa, Florida. The group consists of members Rook, Colione, and Kenny "Barto" Bartolomei. Most recently, they have been producing for Drake,...
.
Title and cover
The album is named after Lloyd Banks' first album The Hunger for MoreThe Hunger for More
The Hunger for More is the debut album by G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks, released June 29, 2004 on G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. Banks had been featured on 50 Cent's multi-platinum 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin, and on G-Unit's Beg for Mercy in November of the same year...
, he said he wants to regain the success that he had with his first album. The album cover was released by Lloyd Banks' official website and Twitter page on October 5, 2010. The album cover is similar to his first but show changes in wealth and surrounding.
Release and promotion
On Twitter Lloyd Banks said that he will start promoting the album, whilst travelling to different cities doing shows. In an interview Banks' stated that he would be touring Europe in late 2010 to help promote the album there. Just days later Lloyd Banks appeared on the Chelsea LatelyChelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on E!. The show debuted on July 16, 2007, and is produced by Handler's production company, Borderline Amazing Productions...
show along with the Mo'Nique show to promote the album.
The album appeared on November 2, 2010 for iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
pre order along with the single "Start It Up." Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
will be releasing a documentary on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, called "The Road To H.F.M. 2". It will premiere the day after his album is released along with another documentary that will appear on his Ustream.tv channel. Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
revisited MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
rap fix live and premiered a couple of tracks.
Singles
"Beamer, Benz, or BentleyBeamer, Benz, or Bentley
"Beamer, Benz, or Bentley" is the first official single from Lloyd Banks' third album H.F.M. 2 , which was released on November 23, 2010. The song was released as a digital download on February 9, 2010...
" was released on February 9, 2010, featuring Juelz Santana
Juelz Santana
LaRon Louis James , better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper, producer, and actor. He appeared on Cam'ron's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma"...
, and has been confirmed as the first single. The remix was released on May 13, 2010, featuring Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
, Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
, Yo Gotti
Yo Gotti
Mario Mims better known by his stage name Yo Gotti, is a southern rapper from the northern side of Memphis, Tennessee who was previously known as Lil Yo.-Independent Albums:Yo Gotti released a string of independent albums...
.
"Any Girl
Any Girl
"Any Girl" is the second single from Lloyd Banks' third album H.F.M. 2 . The song features R&B singer Lloyd and was produced by Dready...
" is the second single from the album and it features R&B singer Lloyd
Lloyd (singer)
Lloyd Polite, Jr. , who performs under the mononym Lloyd, is an American R&B recording artist, who experienced as a member of the group N-Toon before embarking on a solo career in 2004....
. It was released on June 8, 2010. The music video was released on August 15 through MTV.
"Start It Up
Start It Up (song)
"Start It Up" is the third single from Lloyd Banks' third album H.F.M. 2 . The song features Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie & Fabolous, it was produced by Cardiak...
" was confirmed as the third single from the album. It was released to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on November 2, 2010. It features Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
& Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
.
"I Don't Deserve You
I Don't Deserve You
"I Don't Deserve You" is the fourth single from Lloyd Banks' third album H.F.M. 2 . The song features R&B singer Jeremih and was produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League...
" was confirmed as the fourth single from the album by 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
in an interview with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
. The single features R&B singer Jeremih
Jeremih
Jeremiah Felton who performs under the mononym Jeremih , is an American recording artist and producer signed to Def Jam Recordings. Jeremih's debut single, "Birthday Sex" , peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100...
. It was released as a digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on November 22, 2010 and released to radios on January 6, 2011.
"So Forgetful
So Forgetful
"So Forgetful" is the fifth single from Lloyd Banks' third album H.F.M. 2 . The song was produced and features R&B singer Ryan Leslie. The song was released as a digital download on May 24, 2011.-Background:...
" is the fifth single from the album which features R&B singer and producer Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
. The music video was released on May 8, 2011 through MTV.
Production
In an interview with Shade45's G-Unit Radio with Miss Mimi, Banks confirmed that new producers would also be on the project; including CardiakCardiak
Carl McCormick, better known as Cardiak, is a music producer from Willingboro, New Jersey. He embarked on the music industry in 2008, and is best known for working with urban music artists such as Ace Hood, Joe Budden, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Freeway , DJ Khaled, Rick Ross , Trina, Red Cafe, Lil...
, Buda Da Future, and Nick Speed
Nick Speed
Nick Speed is a Hip hop producer who has produced tracks for 50 Cent, Tupac Shakur, Lloyd Banks, M.O.P., Talib Kweli, Phat Kat and Musiq Soulchild.He is signed to Money Management Group which is a subsidiary of G-Unit Records.-Early years:...
. Banks also confirmed production from Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
, Lamis Carneiro, Nascent, Young Seph
Young Seph
Joseph Holmes, better known as "Young Seph", is an American Music Producer in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Young Seph has produced for artists such as 50 Cent, Jim Jones, Lloyd Banks, & Havoc , among others.-Music career:...
, and G'Sparkz. It was confirmed by thisis50.com that Lloyd Banks had been working with Doe Pesci in the studio on beats for the album. In interviews with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
Banks' confirmed that Cardiak
Cardiak
Carl McCormick, better known as Cardiak, is a music producer from Willingboro, New Jersey. He embarked on the music industry in 2008, and is best known for working with urban music artists such as Ace Hood, Joe Budden, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Freeway , DJ Khaled, Rick Ross , Trina, Red Cafe, Lil...
produces four songs on the album.
Guests
Confirmed guests include EminemEminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Lloyd
Lloyd (singer)
Lloyd Polite, Jr. , who performs under the mononym Lloyd, is an American R&B recording artist, who experienced as a member of the group N-Toon before embarking on a solo career in 2004....
, Juelz Santana
Juelz Santana
LaRon Louis James , better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper, producer, and actor. He appeared on Cam'ron's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma"...
, 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, Styles P
Styles P
David Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
, Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
, Tony Yayo
Tony Yayo
Marvin Bernard , better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit...
, Jeremih
Jeremih
Jeremiah Felton who performs under the mononym Jeremih , is an American recording artist and producer signed to Def Jam Recordings. Jeremih's debut single, "Birthday Sex" , peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100...
and Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
. Newly confirmed artists on the album are, Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, Pusha T
Pusha T
Terrence Thornton better known by his stage name Pusha T is an American recording artist, occasional actor and one half of the critically acclaimed hip hop duo Clipse. He is also the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Re-Up Records along with his brother Gene 'Malice' Thornton...
, Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
. Even though 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
confirmed Chris Brown was on the album, Banks later denied this in an interview with XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
. In an interview with XXL, Banks confirmed that he had wanted to have Prodigy
Prodigy (rapper)
Lance Albert Johnson Banks, better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep....
on the track with Styles P
Styles P
David Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
on the album. Banks confirmed that he had had a conversation with R&B singer Ashanti to possibly collaborate for the album. In mid October, a Youtube video containing footage of Banks in the studio with both Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane
Radric Davis , better known by his stage name Gucci Mane, is an American rapper. He debuted in 2005 with Trap House and followed with albums such as Hard to Kill in 2006, Trap-A-Thon and Back to the Trap House in 2007. In 2009, his second studio album The State vs. Radric Davis was released...
and Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame
Juaquin Malphurs , better known by his stage name Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper signed to 1017 Brick Squad and Warner Bros. He is a Southern hip hop artist best known for his singles "O Let's Do It", "Hard in da Paint" & "No Hands", along with his debut album, Flockaveli...
was released, in which they were supposedly recording a song for the album. Lloyd Banks originally said that Nipsey Hussle
Nipsey Hussle
Ermias Asghedome , better known by his stage name Nipsey Hussle. He is a Westcoast rapper from Los Angeles, California.-Music career:...
would be on the album, but this didn't happen.
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 26 on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of about 45,000 units in the United States. The album was under-shipped and much of the retailers were sold out; Lloyd Banks stated himself in an interview he couldn't find his album anywhere (Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc.) EMI under-shipped Bank's album. The album also peaked at number 60 on the Canadian Albums ChartCanadian Albums Chart
The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS...
. As of October 2011 H.F.M.2 has sold 325,000 copies.
Critical response
Upon its release, H.F.M. 2 received positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 65, based on 8 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". Slava Kuperstein of HipHopDX noted a marked improvement over Banks' 2006 effort Rotten AppleRotten Apple (Lloyd Banks album)
The album received positive reviews. Rolling Stones Evan Serpick gave it 3 out of 5 stars and said that "Eminem, Mobb Deep’s Havoc and a host of G-Unit regulars produce an album’s worth of chunky, ominous beats to fit Banks’ foul mood, but it runs a little thin over sixteen tracks".But XXL gave it...
, stating that "the execution isn’t as good the second time around, but Banks has reestablished his sound, and made clear that he is still a major force to be reckoned with in the rap game." Allmusic writer Dave Jeffries, despite citing a lack of new ideas as one of the album's weaknesses, was also positive about the album: "At 13 tracks the album feels right-sized, not overstuffed, and Banks himself is in fine form throughout, delivering stone cold and slow punch lines that are as lethal as ever. When it comes to evolution, there’s really none, but even though he’s been here before, veteran fans will appreciate his return."
Giving the album a rating of 7/10, Ben Detrick of Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
stated that "Lloyd Banks' hunger is not born of starvation, but of an insatiable appetite. On his third solo effort, the G-Unit rapper is a connoisseur of cars, women, and guns, spinning tight spider webs of syllables that are often so patterned that they obscure individual strands. "Put my Ferrari in park, give 'em a running start," Banks growls on "Payback," a sinister track with mentor 50 Cent and a woozy, almost dubstep bass line. But he loves the ladies almost as much as barking threats. On "So Forgetful," an apology to past conquests, Banks muses about "wet spots on the mattress and champagne splashes" atop producer Ryan Leslie's 8-bit Atari synths." Steve Jones of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
was also positive about the album, giving the album 3/5 stars and citing that "the G-Unit rapper seeks to rekindle the spark of his critically acclaimed 2004 platinum debut by recalling both the title and the potent street vibe. Banks enlists several like-minded rappers — Pusha T, Styles P, Juelz Santana and Raekwon— who complement his own grittiness. The same goes for R&B stars Akon and Lloyd as he relies mainly on his signature jaw-breaking punch lines while eschewing a rash of poppish hooks. Banks is well served by his refusal to compromise just for airplay. His Hunger should whet his fans' appetites for even more."
Track listing
Sample credits- "Payback (P's and Q's)" samples "A Song Between Us", performed by Kenny NolanKenny NolanKenny Nolan is a Los Angeles, California based singer-songwriter.He is best remembered for his 1977 self-penned song "I Like Dreamin'", which achieved the #3 chart position on the Billboard Hot 100 early that year....
. - "Home Sweet Home" samples "The Detriot Riot" performed by Essie Moss and Rev. Robert Grant.
- "On the Double" samples "SummertimeSummertime (song)"Summertime" is an aria composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based, although the song is also co-credited to Ira Gershwin by ASCAP....
", performed by Billy StewartBilly StewartBilly Stewart was an American musical artist, with a highly distinctive scat-singing style, who enjoyed popularity in the 1960s.-Biography:...
.
Personnel
- George Gershwin - Composer
- Ira Gershwin - Composer
- Steve Baughman - Mixing
- DuBose Heyward - Composer
- A. McKenzie - Composer
- Anthony Daniel - Mixing Assistant
- Nancie Stern - Sample Clearance
- Nikki Martin - Coordination
- Ryan Leslie - Programming
- Ryan Leslie - Producer
- Ryan Leslie - Instrumentation
- Mark B. Christensen - Mastering
- Shareif Ziyadat - Photography
- Nick Speed - Producer
- J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League - Producer
- Ky Miller - Percussion
- Ky Miller - Engineer
- Ky Miller - Mixing
- Dready - Producer
- Daniel Fry - Mastering Assistant
- Noah Goldstein - Engineer
- Raphael Fiorda - Mastering Assistant
- Tim Saroce - Engineer
- Tim Saroce - Editing
- N. Jackson - Composer
- E. Ortiz - Composer
- J. Felton - Composer
- C. McCormick - Composer
- R. Leslie - Composer
- K. Crowe - Composer
- D. Styles - Composer
- M. Forno - Composer
- Michelle Figueroa - Mixing Assistant
- Al Carlson - Mixing Assistant
- A. Thiam - Composer
- Frank Dukes - Producer
- P. Jackson - Composer
- K. Nolan - Composer
- M. Bernard - Composer
- Mia Quinn - Stylist
- Dre McKenzie - Producer
- Dre McKenzie - A&R
- Dre McKenzie - Vocal Producer
- Pat Viala - Engineer
- Pat Viala - Mixing
- Ever Ronquillo - Mixing Assistant
- Danny Irizarry - Mixing Assistant
- Jesse Morav - Engineer
- Gregorio "G'Sparkz" Ford Jr. - Producer
- Grandz Muzik - Producer
- Gloria Kaba - Mixing Assistant
- Frank Williams - Mixing Assistant
- Doe Pesci - Engineer
- Dirk Pate - Producer
- Bliz Money - Producer
- Alberto Erazo - Art Direction
- Alberto Erazo - Design
- William A. Moss Sr. - Composer
- Tony Girakhoo - A&R
- The WatcherZ - Producer
- Sharon Salamone - Administration
- Raphael Fiora - Mastering Assistant
- Pawel Szarejko - Engineer
- Pawel Szarejko - Editing
- Michael Hausmann - Mixing Assistant
- Angel J. Martinez - Product Manager
Release history
| Region | Date | Label(s) | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 22, 2010 | G-Unit G-Unit Records G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records... , EMI EMI The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major... |
Digital Download, CD | B0046JLTBU |
| Canada | G-Unit G-Unit Records G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records... , EMI EMI The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major... |
Digital Download, CD | ||
| United Kingdom | November 29, 2010 | G-Unit, EMI | Digital Download, CD | |
| Germany | G-Unit, EMI | Digital Download, CD | ||
| Ireland | G-Unit, EMI | Digital Download, CD |
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
26 |
| US Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks Rap and hip-hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart began publication for the week of November 13, 2004.... |
4 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
6 |
| US Billboard Top Independent Albums | 2 |