Mixtape Mayhem: V6: The Gift

Lloyd Banks, better known as “The Punchline King”, is never one to disappoint. His twelfth mixtape, V.6: The Gift, which was released on July 24th, is a mouthful of tongue-tying wordplay and head-nodding beats. Banks recruits the likes of Young Chris, Vado, Fabolous, Jadakiss, and Schoolboy Q for the mixtape. Lloyd Banks is by far one of the most underrated emcees in the rap game in my opinion. However, I like it. Listen to his previous mixtapes and albums and you can certainly confirm the authenticity of Banks’s music; V.6: The Gift is no exception.

On March 29, 2012 the track, “Open Arms” was released as the first single. Produced by Doe Pesci, a member of G-Unit’s production team, Banks opens up a more sensitive softer side on this inspirational track. Lyrics touch on the topics of Banks’s personal life experiences and lessons. A universal message of positivity and motivation is heard throughout the song. Banks raps, “Lil’ homie you ain’t gotta be nobody, be yourself/ Cause you don’t need nothin’, don’t need nobody need your help/ My n****  lost his mind real young, know how he felt/ Being a big pop, you need to make it out or melt, you can have that, you want that, get on out and get it/ Once you grab that, give some back hit it come back in spirit.”

The decision to use a bell melody during the production process helps increase the emotional aspect of the track. The track “Chosen Few” featuring Jadakiss also has a similar message. Be sure to that out that track. In all of Banks’s songs you can hear a unchained metaphor monster. Having the ability to make every bar rhyme continuously throughout an entire song is impressive. Nowadays you may hear a rapper throw in two rhymes here and there, but not Banks. He stacks rhymes on rhymes on rhymes like he is playing a game of Jenga.

On the track, “Bring It Back” featuring Fabolous, Banks shows off his dictionary rhyming talent. “My diamonds bright all kind of white rap JJ I’m dynamite/N***** still writing them diss raps? N***** lame and I’m not the type/ Sleep on me, let the mack pinch you please n**** yo swag simple/ My flow hot as my last b****, she a rat now her a** crippled,” Banks raps. That’s not even the entire verse. “Bring It Back” is a money- throwing, club hopping song. Banks outdoes himself yet again. Don’t sleep on the following tracks: “The Sprint”, “We Run This Town” featuring Vado, and “Show and Prove”.

By Ally Doxsey

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