A perfect blend of nostalgia, Hip Hop, and hard-hitting reality checks; Toronto welcomes Lloyd Banks

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the most electrifying, side-splitting, and realest night of your lives! Give it up for Supreme Genes. We’ve got a night packed with hip hop, laughs, I am going to talk that shit, and of course, we’ve got the one and only Lloyd Banks in the house tonight!”

It was Sunday June 30^th, 2024, and once again, hip hop history was cemented on the streets of Toronto. Lord Fury and the team at Supreme Genes brought into the city, an artist that set the world on fire with his entry into hip hop.

Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for a night that rewrote the definition of hype! The atmosphere was electric, DJ Mercilles was on point, Kinsman and Snackz killed it, and there was even a surprise visit from IBF Josh the Boss Wagner. The energy was through the roof at the most anticipated hip hop event of the year. Hosted by none other than the charismatic Lord Fury who knows how to mix things up, the night was a rollercoaster of music, laughter, and nostalgia.

In a brilliant twist, our host added a dash of comic relief by bringing on stage Al Ruddick who channeled the iconic personas of Macho Man Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. This wasn’t just an act; it was a time machine, taking us back to the golden era of wrestling with a hip hop twist. The actor’s commitment to character was nothing short of legendary. Whether he was delivering epic promos, or interacting with the crowd, he stayed in character, making the experience all the more immersive and unforgettable.

The night wasn’t just about fun and games. Enter Lord Fury, a force to be reckoned with in the Toronto hip hop scene. When he took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. With a fearless demeanour, he called out the street cliques and delivered a powerful message: the senseless violence and killings plaguing Toronto need to stop. His words cut through the noise, addressing the very crews in attendance. Lord Fury didn’t care if his message ruffled feathers; he spoke his truth with unwavering conviction.

Then came to the stage Christopher Charles Lloyd (born April 30^th, 1982), also known by his stage names: Lloyd Banks, the Punch Line King (P.L.K), and The Mixtape Champion, a rapper from New York City, Queens. Banks’ rap career was established in the early ‘90s with the formation of G-Unit: a rap group led by 50 Cent, which dominated the industry in the mid-2000s.

Throughout his career, Banks has collaborated with artists such as: Eminem, 50 Cent, Rakim, Raekwon, Jadakiss, and Kanye West. Banks has six studio albums and sixteen mixtapes under his belt as a solo artist, achieving platinum certifications by the RIAA.

That night Banks brought us back to his early 2000’s musical style, which exhibited braggadocious elements and revolved around ghetto struggle/gang themes; expressed with a heavy-hitting punchline delivery. As Banks matured as an artist and had children, his content and structural complexity evolved. Since 2021, Banks has released three studio albums. Since leaving G-Unit in 2018, Banks established himself as an independent artist who continues to create music on his own terms, and on Sunday, Toronto was treated to a night of musical nostalgia that will never be forgotten.

It’s no wonder Lord Fury has cemented his reputation as a top-tier promoter in the city. His ability to curate events that not only showcase the best hip hop acts, but also spark important conversations is unparalleled. Each event he organizes is a testament to his dedication to the culture and his innovative approach to keeping the crowd engaged and coming back for more.

This night was a perfect blend of nostalgia, entertainment, and hard-hitting reality checks. From the laughs brought on by the wrestling impersonations to the sobering truths delivered by Lord Fury, the event was a masterclass in balancing hype and substance. Toronto’s hip hop scene is thriving, and with promoters like Lord Fury at the helm, the future looks brighter than ever.