With the release of Lloyd’s biggest single to date, “You,” featuring rapper Lil Wayne, Lloyd has finally found his niche on his sophomore album “Street Love.”
Lloyd’s 2004 debut album “Southside” introduced him as a new R&B artist but failed to garner a lot of success. But his sophomore album serves as an ambassador to revive the at-one-time defunct label The Inc. Records.
The album opens with “You,” this spring’s anthem. Rapper Lil Wayne puts his two cents on this sample of the old school Spandau Ballet song “True,” helping the track reach its full potential.
The album continues on to “Certified.” Lloyd’s cocky, game-spitting message to his love interest is definitely a single-worthy track. Lloyd even tries his hand at rapping. Although the lyrics to this slow song are a little cliche, the track is definitely deserves a few spins in your iPods and CD players.
Lloyd speeds it up a bit with his second single “Get It Shawty.” produced by Usher’s little brother, JLack. This song has metro-Atlanta written all over it.
I predict this song to be a major club banger that will bump out of everyone’s subwoofers in a couple of weeks.
Another album standout is “One for Me,” which samples “Moments in Love” by the Art Of Noise. The sultry track is perfect to cuddle to with your partner. Lloyd’s layered vocals and harmonies hypnotizes listeners. Produced by 7 Aurelius and Irv Gotti, the song deserves a spin on late night, mellow-mood radio.
“Street Love” is definitely a step up from Lloyd’s debut. There aren’t any tracks worth skipping on this album. It was worth the nearly three-year hiatus.