For the past three years that proceded the release of his 2004 debut album "Southside," R&B crooner Lloyd sat on the sidelines as he watched other young male vocalists like Neyo and Chris Brown play the court by touring, co-penning tracks for other artists and moving copies. However, when Lloyd sat down to listen to "You," what would become the first single from his sophomore set "Street Love" (Universal Motown), he knew he had a hit.
"I don't have a problem admitting that," says the 21-year-old about leaking the tune to radio stations in his native Atlanta, despite the fact his label had yet to officially release it at the time. "A lot of times, people don't understand change until you prove to them why it's necessary. The fact that ?You' has charted for more than 30 weeks is an incredible feat."
"You," which samples "True" by the British band Spandau-Ballet, was produced by Big Reese and Jasper and has become Lloyd's biggest hit to date. The track has spent time
at No.1 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot 100 Airplay charts.
The second single off the album, "Get It Shawty," was produced by Usher's little brother, J-Lack. Though Lloyd says he and J-Lack hit it off immediately, securing "Get It Shawty" for his own album was no easy task. "Usher originally wanted to record that for his album," says Lloyd, "but I had [manager] Jazze [Pha] call Usher pretty much everyday until he caved
in." "Get It Shawty" currently sits at No. 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs tally.
Other producers on the album, which was released yesterday (March 14) include Erik Hudson on "Take You Home", Bryan Michael Cox on "Lloyd" and Jazze Pha on "Certified" and "Incredible". As far as selecting collaborators goes, Lloyd mentions that "I just kind of decided that if I was going to be great, I had to surround myself with greatness, so I kept it to a minimum. Weezy is one of the greatest entertainers to come from the southern parts of America, Nas is one of the greatest rappers to come from New York and Andre 3000 is a pioneer of their invented sound." All three guests appear on the "You" remix.
Lloyd, who has previously teamed with Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and 8Ball & MJG, is currently collaborating with artists like DJ Drama and Fabolous, and has recently put in time with Snoop Dogg and DJ Khaled for a track with Ross, Lil' Wayne and Juelz Santana.
"I don't have a problem admitting that," says the 21-year-old about leaking the tune to radio stations in his native Atlanta, despite the fact his label had yet to officially release it at the time. "A lot of times, people don't understand change until you prove to them why it's necessary. The fact that ?You' has charted for more than 30 weeks is an incredible feat."
"You," which samples "True" by the British band Spandau-Ballet, was produced by Big Reese and Jasper and has become Lloyd's biggest hit to date. The track has spent time
at No.1 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot 100 Airplay charts.
The second single off the album, "Get It Shawty," was produced by Usher's little brother, J-Lack. Though Lloyd says he and J-Lack hit it off immediately, securing "Get It Shawty" for his own album was no easy task. "Usher originally wanted to record that for his album," says Lloyd, "but I had [manager] Jazze [Pha] call Usher pretty much everyday until he caved
in." "Get It Shawty" currently sits at No. 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs tally.
Other producers on the album, which was released yesterday (March 14) include Erik Hudson on "Take You Home", Bryan Michael Cox on "Lloyd" and Jazze Pha on "Certified" and "Incredible". As far as selecting collaborators goes, Lloyd mentions that "I just kind of decided that if I was going to be great, I had to surround myself with greatness, so I kept it to a minimum. Weezy is one of the greatest entertainers to come from the southern parts of America, Nas is one of the greatest rappers to come from New York and Andre 3000 is a pioneer of their invented sound." All three guests appear on the "You" remix.
Lloyd, who has previously teamed with Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and 8Ball & MJG, is currently collaborating with artists like DJ Drama and Fabolous, and has recently put in time with Snoop Dogg and DJ Khaled for a track with Ross, Lil' Wayne and Juelz Santana.
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