By 2006, G-Unit was an empire, and Lloyd Banks’ second album Rotten Apple was one of the year’s most anticipated rap releases. The lead single, “Hands Up” featuring 50 Cent, came from a familiar team: BangOut and C. Styles on production alongside Eminem, with Luis Resto on additional production.
The Run
“Disco Inferno” in 2004. “In My Hood” in 2005. “Hands Up” as a lead single in 2006. Three placements across the hottest camp in hip-hop, three years running — that’s not luck, that’s trust. Labels and artists go back to producers who deliver under pressure, and lead singles are the highest-pressure slot in the building.
The Numbers
“Hands Up” charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #15 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, pushed by heavy mixtape and radio energy in New York. As a lead single it did its job: it announced the album and reminded everyone Banks could make records, not just mixtapes.
Working Alongside Eminem’s Camp
Sharing a production credit with Eminem and Luis Resto meant the record passed through one of the most demanding quality filters in music history before it ever reached shelves.
More records, more stories: “Disco Inferno” · “In My Hood” · the BangOut collection