G-Unit "God's Plan" (Mixed by DJ Whoo Kid, 2002)

God's Plan is the third mixape released by G-Unit. It was initially distributed as an independent release on November 1, 2002, but was later re-released in 2006 by BCD Music Group. God's Plan emerged during a prolific era for G-Unit, preceding 50 Cent's official debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', in 2003. The mixtape features a collection of tracks where the group showcased their lyricism over instrumentals from other artists. This approach of reinterpreting existing beats allowed G-Unit to infuse familiar sounds with their distinct style, creating a unique listening experience that resonated with fans. The cultural importance of God's Plan extends beyond its tracks. By rapping over instrumentals from other artists and releasing it for free, 50 Cent and G-Unit helped create a model that other artists would later follow. In recognition of its impact, God's Plan was named the 9th best mixtape ever by XXL magazine. God's Plan not only showcased G-Unit's raw talent and adaptability but also underscored their strategic approach to music distribution, challenging traditional industry norms and paving the way for a new era in hip-hop. By the time God’s Plan dropped, 50 Cent was already building a strong buzz from Guess Who’s Back? and 50 Cent Is the Future. But God’s Plan was another level—it made it clear that he wasn’t just an underground sensation; he was about to take over mainstream rap. The energy, the aggressive delivery, and the raw storytelling on God’s Plan were all previews of what he’d refine on Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which went on to be a classic (certified 9x Platinum as of 2020). Listen to God's Plan...

Where does God's Plan place in your favorite mixtapes?

Lloyd Banks "Halloween Havoc 5" (Album Stream)

Lloyd Banks is back with a brand-new installment of his classic Halloween Havoc series. Halloween Havoc 5 was released via Money By Any Means Inc and features 16 hard-hitting joints. The production is consistent throughout despite being handled my multiple producers such as Ron Browz, Cartune Beatz, Arkatekt Beats, Mr. Authentic, Haas Almahdi, George Getson, Formula2beatz and more. On Instagram, Banks shared, "You already know what I do around this time of year!! And nothing's gonna change... HHV loading!!" Yes, indeed. I haven't covered all the installments on this site, but best believe I was tapped into each and every one of them over the years. I still run the joint "History" (and "History 2" for that matter) on repeat. Whether introspective lyrics or the PLK Banks, he's one of the premier artists whose lyrics and pen I truly respect. Happy Halloween! Listen below...

Lloyd Banks "The Course of the Inevitable 2" (Album Stream)

Lloyd Banks has dropped off his new album, The Course of the Inevitable 2, via Money By Any Means and Empire. The project includes previously released songs “Menace” with Conway the Machine and “Fell in Love,” and boasts features from several hip-hop heavyweights like Jadakiss, Dave East, Benny The Butcher, Tony Yayo, and Vado. The Course of the Inevitable 2 is a follow-up to the series' first installation, The Course of the Inevitable, which arrived in 2021 and saw guest appearances from Styles P, Benny The Butcher, and Freddie Gibbs, among others. The sequel is Banks’ fifth studio album. - Complex. It's great to hear more music from Banks, I think he's an extremely talented MC who has a lot to offer to the industry and fans alike. People compare Banks to artists like Fabolous, Jadakiss and Pusha T, but I also see parallels to artists like Beanie Sigel, DMX & Scarface because of the depth of his content. Stream The Course of the Inevitable 2 below.

Lloyd Banks "Cold Corner" (Mixtape, 2009)

While I prepare for the highly anticipated album, The Course of the Inevitable 2, from Lloyd Banks set to drop in July, I have been running back through various mixtapes he'd dropped during the height of PLK Banks. The Cold Corner mixtape was released as a free download through the 50/G-Unit website ThisIs50 in 2009 and hosted by resident DJ, Whoo Kid. It was the 3rd installment in the 5 And Better Series, and included a little over a dozen tracks. Young Buck had left the camp the previous year and they'd already released their sophomore effort, T.O.S. The two previous 5 And Better mixes were Banks' Return of the PLK and Halloween Havoc, which I'm certain to revisit again shortly as well. The Shady Records general, Eminem, appears on the "Intro" and while I can't say who handled all the track production, I can say it was mixed more as an early mixtape, with the sound quality a bit wild and erratic. It's still an enjoyable listen, revisit the Cold Corner mix below...

Lloyd Banks "The Course of the Inevitable" (Album Stream)

The Course of the Inevitable is the fourth studio album from Lloyd Banks. It's the first full-length since 2010 and the first released since his "departure" from G-Unit in 2018. The LP boasts 18 tracks with features from Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, Styles P, Benny The Butcher, Ransom, Sy Ari Da Kid and more. In this current of music, I think there's no better time for the return of the PLK; his music fits in perfectly with the climate and releases coming out of the Griselda camp. This album should widely be considered one of the best mainstream releases when 2021 reaches its conclusion.

Lloyd Banks "Victory" (Classic Freestyle, 2002)

Sometimes I go back and relisten to the old G-Unit, LOX and Dipset mixtapes, amazed at how much content was put out in that era. It's mind boggling! One of the standouts is the Victory freestyle from the punchline king, Lloyd Banks. Years back Banks explained why it was undoubtedly his biggest mixtape song ever: "That has to be overall the most–the biggest freestyle I had as far as impact wise. Even DJ Clue will tell you that’s when he felt I went from being a mixtape dude to the next dude they expect to pop from the mixtapes… Honestly, I knew what I was following behind. Biggie was one of my favorites. When I did ‘Victory,’ everybody knew that was one of his biggest verses. So to fall behind him, I knew there was pressure behind it. I just wanted to add a different feel. At that time, I was thinking punchline wise. A lot of people used to ask me, ‘Yo you going to run out before the album,’ but when I write naturally, I write witty. I write from the perspective of being different. So, that was one thing that never troubled me. There was a few lines [I liked]. I said, ‘I think I’m the last rapper to scare n*ggas since Craig Mack.’ There was even the Master P line and its funny because I have 100 percent support for Master P, but his sneaker was [ugly] at the time.” Banks adds, "That was the first freestyle I performed. Not only did it help me as far as my recognition goes, but it helped me performance wise cause I got used to being by myself for a whole verse. It’s hard to keep people in tuned for a whole verse with no chorus–on a mixtape too. The breakdown toward the end of the verse, is when I learned over time you can’t rap the same bar cadence throughout 50 bars, you got to at some point change it up." Banks ends it by saying, "I put my all into that, bar for bar.” - via Rap Radar. Happy Born Day to Banks, listen to Victory below...

Lloyd Banks "Bad Weather" (Prod. by ProspectBeatz)

"Recognized by those that never saw me 

It's amazing, how fast you changing, your mass is fading

You pass the blame when.. you hit the bottom, fame forgotten 

Food for thought ain't enough, your brain is rotten 

You praise watching And the backstabbing became a option 

And I'm still popping 

My bold predictions came to play, from all the thinkin'
bout' the hope n' bout the wish 'n bout a way.. out the struggle 

Keep moving subtle 

You win, they hate you You lose, they love you 

That made me leave the room a puddle"

50 Cent "50 Cent Is The Future" (Mixtape, 2004)

Even before he had everyone in the club working it out, 50 Cent knew he had to appeal to the masses. The Future is the genesis of a new subgenre: gangsta pop. Though 50 and his fledgling crew of pals pack this protean effort with plenty of grimy street dreams, the seeds of a rap balladeer were firmly planted here. A triumph of muscular melody. - Vibe, March 2007. Any idea what they just said? lol. To summarize: 50 Cent Is The Future was a classic mixtape on the streets... 50 Cent and G-Unit had it on lock at the time. The G-Unit Radio series; God's Plan; No Mercy No Fear, even Guess Who's Back before them - he had fans captivated and his solo debut release Get Rich or Die Tryin overdelivered on all his promises of greatness. While greater success and access to more revenue streams have taken him further away from music as of late, 50 Cent's legacy was cemented early, and it's still enjoyable to go back and listen to this early material. That said, listen to 50 Cent Is The Future below and way off topic, that Carl Banks (Giants) jersey is still dope to this day too!

Check out the tracklist and a copy of the Vibe review below...