Lloyd has been in the game for almost ten years, debuting as the curly-haired, smooth-singing cat on Irv Gotti’s The Inc. in 2004 along with label mates Ashanti and Ja Rule. Now eight years and four albums later, Lloyd is still grinding. His most recent studio album, “King of Hearts,” released last year, is a smash abroad in Europe, with the single ‘Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)‘ beinga radio hit. While promoting in England, Lloyd had a chance to sit down with our friends at TaleTela to talk about his hit single in the UK, his collaborations, and where he’s at with Irv Gotti and Ashanti.
When it comes to his ‘Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)‘ single that features Andre 3000, the singer says he didn’t know if it would be received well. “My creative mind said ‘This is something’ but my rational mind that has developed over time, through mistakes said, ‘you never know how people feel or what they’re going through or how they’ll react,” he explained. The scandalous retro asks, “Tell me where that p*ssy go / Cuz it don’t feel the same no mo’,” and mostly likely breaks the record saying the word “p*ssy” in a song, which may explain why the song is bigger overseas as opposed to the States; the market isn’t as sensitive to controversial material.
Speaking of material, Lloyd may very well be the collaboration king, as his material released as singles has been mostly collaboration efforts. His debut solo single “Southside” was an Ashanti collabo, and it turns out he enjoys vibing with other artists. “I really enjoyed working with Chris Brown, because I just enjoyed seeing another young motherf**ker with talent, and just vibing out, it was good,” he said. Wale and Tyga are others he enjoyed working with. “I really liked working with Wale, I feel he is really talented and I had the chance to work with him on his recent album on a track called ‘Sabotage’ which I really, really enjoy….I worked with Tyga on his early mixtapes…I really enjoy working with whoever is next, who is going to be the shit one day,” the crooner explains. As for future collabos, the singer wants to work with Snoop and Atlanta rapper Future. “I really f**k with his music and I f**k with him as a person so I’m hoping I can get him on some of my stuff,” he said.
As for his former collaborator Ashanti, Lloyd admitted he hasn’t heard her latest single, but he isn’t throwing out the possibility about the pair coming together in the future. “Only god knows, but that’s my homie, but yeah only God knows,” he stated.
And for those who didn’t know, former boss Irv Gotti drew a line in the sand last year between himself and Lloyd because he felt Lloyd didn’t respect where he brought him. In an interview with MTV, Gotti told Sway, “Because here’s a person that I helped out. The minute he left, I let you go. You wanted to leave, I let you go. And you gon’ say, ‘Well Gotti did this and Gotti did that.’ Nigga, you went platinum with Gotti. You went gold with Gotti, you went platinum with Gotti. What you doing now with Interscope?” Gotti said.
But Lloyd doesn’t seem fazed by Gotti’s remarks. As a matter of fact, he blames Gotti’s argument on the fact that he still cares about his protégé. “…The only reason why it hurts, the reason why there’s pain, the only reason why there’s anger of any sort is because you care, because you love,” he said. “There’s a genuine love there no matter what and that’s what’s important.” And at the end of the day, “what’s really important is not to sit and dwell on it because I’ve got other shit to do,” he states. “I got other records to record and greater things ahead of me that I have yet to even accomplish that I need to focus on.”
Well, point taken.
“King of Hearts” is now available for purchase everywhere digital downloads and CDs are sold.
Lloyd has been a mainstay in R&B music for nearly two decades. Now, he’s dishing on his relationship with Irv Gotti, Ashanti and more! From the early days of The Inc. Records to now, Lloyd has seen it all. His collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry have left an indelible mark on pop culture. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his journey and gives us an inside look at what kept him going through it all.
From working with Lil Wayne and T-Pain to Chris Brown and Rick Ross – Lloyd knows no bounds when it comes to creating great music. He reveals how he navigates different sounds while still staying true to who is as an artist. But above all else, he speaks candidly about his relationship with Irv Gotti and Ashanti; two people that helped shape his career from day one.
You won’t believe what Lloyd had to say! Get ready for an inspiring story of resilience and reward as we take a deeper dive into the world of Mr. Wilburn himself!
Lloyd’s History With Irv Gotti
Lloyd and Irv Gotti have a long history together. The two first met in Atlanta back in 2004, when Lloyd was just starting out as an artist. It wasn’t until 2006 that their relationship blossomed into something more substantial; the pair began working closely on music together – most notably Ashanti’s hit single “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby).”
The collaboration sparked a strong bond between them, leading to other successful collaborations like Ja Rule’s “Caught Up” and various tracks for Lloyd’s albums Street Love and Lessons In Love. Along with making great music, the two were known to hang out often and enjoy each other’s company. Even today they remain close friends despite never officially signing to Gotti’s label Murder Inc., which dissolved in 2009.
Their friendship is one of mutual admiration and respect, which has led to several opportunities for both parties throughout the years. For example, recently Irv hosted Lloyd on his online radio show ‘Beer & Conversation’ where they had an extensive discussion about all things music-related including upcoming projects and future plans.
Collaborations, Other Relationships, And More
In addition to his close relationship with Irv Gotti, Lloyd has been involved in various collaborations over the years. He’s worked with artists such as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Trey Songz and more. One of the most notable collaborations was ‘Dedication To My Ex (Miss That),’ which featured Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne. The song has gone on to become a classic hit that is still relevant today.
Lloyd also has an extensive history with Ashanti; he wrote her hit single ‘Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)’ for her album Chapter II back in 2004. They have since remained friends, often appearing together at events including award shows and music festivals. Recently they teamed up again for the remix of ‘Early In The Morning’ from Lloyd’s latest album Tru EP – demonstrating their strong bond after all these years.
The future looks bright for Lloyd who is currently working on new projects and collaborating with some big names in the industry. With so many accomplishments already under his belt it won’t be long until we hear more great music from him soon!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lloyd has had a successful career in the music industry thanks to his strong relationship with Irv Gotti. While they may have gone their separate ways, they still remain close friends and continue to collaborate musically. He also continues to work with other talented artists, including Ashanti, as well as exploring new collaborations. His ongoing success is a testament to his hard work and dedication to making great music. It’s clear that he isn’t slowing down anytime soon; fans can look forward to more of Lloyd’s amazing work for years to come.
