Lloyd Banks "Cold Corner 2" Mixtape Review

After releasing his third studio album “Hunger For More 2” around the same time last year, Lloyd Banks returns to the mix tape circuit to release “Cold Corner 2” for free download.

A sequel to 2009's critically acclaimed “Cold Corner”, “Cold Corner 2” has been a highly anticipated release for quite some time. Rumored to be released in early 2010, Banks decided to shelve the mix tape to work on other projects, but earlier this summer Banks decided to move ahead with the record and the result is an album quality mix tape for the fans.

Being one of the best lyricists in hip-hop today, “Cold Corner 2” is vintage Lloyd Banks. His hoarse voice provides the classic, raw, gutter NYC sound that has not been prominent since the heyday of G-Unit. With the lyrics being the forefront on “Cold Corner 2”, Blue Hefner delivers on every song with witty, chuckle inducing verses which will keep the replay value high.

Opening up with “1,2,3 Grind” featuring Prodigy, Lloyd Banks shows why he has one of the best flows and delivery's in hip-hop today as he effortlessly destroys the Arab-Muzik produced track.

“Make It Stack” is another standout featuring the up an coming A$AP Rocky. Over a melodic yet grimy beat, Banks begins the song with “Too much thinkin' On top of that, I'm getting' high and drinkin' I'm floatin' on cloud 9, watchin' these niggas sinkin” before stabbing keyboard warriors in the heart with “you just talk it, you don't does it So all those who suffer, You so humble out in public Computer make you tougher.”

Called the Punch Line King for a reason, quoting all of Banks' dope lines on “Cold Corner 2” would be nearly impossible, but some of my favorite bars include “I'm outta here on my way to the moon Blending in with the stars Put your cameras on zoom” and “I'm the survival type Cool as the champion on title night” on “Ice Box Pt. 2.” The track “Cashin' In” gives us “It's complicated I'm hated Badly underrated” and “foot race to the title Nigga I'll smoke your idol Try me is suicidal Dirty's how I do my rival.” On the Styles P featured “Predator”, Banks rhymes “Lashing out at the competition and shook 'em right off the map.” As well as “I'm sharper than the wood in a splinter Sit back and watch the king recoil You know me I OD Shinobi when I sling my sword” over the intense drums on the title track “Cold Corner (Eyes Wide).”

For me, the best song on the record is by far “No Love” as it has a perfect flow, perfect lyrics, perfect delivery and is just an overall perfect song. Produced by Tha Jerm, Banks releases one of the deadliest yet realest songs in a while and spits lines such as “I'm just as nice as anyone that wore the crown Livin' my dream Keep what you think Don't spoil it now.”

While the lyrics are clearly great, the main problem I have with “Cold Corner 2” is the production. All of the beats are grimy and melodic but midway through the record, they become bland and repetitive. However, this is a mix tape and the main showcase here is the skill of Lloyd Banks, so the production could be overlooked.

It has been a busy last couple of days for hip-hop with releases from Drake, Mac Miller and Childish Gambino but if your looking for pure lyricism, “Cold Corner 2” is the album for you. I definitely recommend giving this tape a download as you will not be disappointed. NYC is about to have a cold winter, and while “Take Care” will make you feel warm and fuzzy, “Cold Corner 2” will give pneumonia with the wordplay in the worst way.

Ranked on the Beavis and Butt-Head Scale:
3 Beavis' out of 5 Butt-Heads

Songs I Recommend:
1,2,3 Grind, Predator, Make It Stack, Ice Box Pt.2, No Love, Cold Corner 2 (Eyes Wide)

Tracklist:
1. 1,2,3 Grind ft Prodigy
2. Super Crack
3. Shock The World
4. Predator ft. Styles P
5. The Pulse
6. Make It Stack ft. A$AP Rocky
7. Score
8. We Fuckin'
9. Love Shots
10. Joke's On You
11. Young Fly Flashy
12. Ice Box Pt. 2
13. No Love
14. Cashin In
15. Cold Corner 2 (Eyes Wide)
16. Keep It Cool
17. Get It How I Live
18. Come Up