Lloyd Polite, Jr. (born January 3, 1986), who performs under the mononym
Lloyd, is an American R&B recording artist, who experienced as
a member of the group N-Toon before embarking on a solo career in
2004.
In 2004, he released his solo debut single/album, "Southside" which
featured Ashanti, which quickly charted on the Billboard Hot 100,
and became a top thirty hit. His second album, Street Love, was released
on March 13, 2007. It featured top-ten and twenty hit "You" and "Get
It Shawty". His third album, "Lessons in Love", give
the singer his second top ten Billboard 200 album. Lloyd's career
received a boost by being featured in the second single of Young
Money's top-ten U.S. hit BedRock, gaining publicity from his presence
on its guest list. Lloyd also released a 2009 EP entitled "Like
Me: The Young Goldie EP", including a promo single "Pusha".
On March 13, Lloyd signed to Interscope/Zone 4. His next album King
of Hearts will be released later this year. The first single, "Lay
It Down" is already a top-ten hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop
Songs
Lloyd Polite Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 3,
1986. He has been a resident of Atlanta, GA since the age of 2. He
attended Stephenson High School. At the age of eight, Polite began
doing musical theatre at Avondale Elementary, a Performing Arts school.
He was discovered at the age of 10, while rehearsing for a show at
school, by singer Joyce Irby. Irby immediately joined Polite to the
pre-teen urban pop quartet N-Toon, alongside younger brother "Chuckie." The
group won Nickelodeon's cancelled show Double Dare 2000 against No
Authority, and the group was signed to DreamWorks Records. Although
two singles were released, "Ready" and "Shoulda Been
My Girl", their debut album Toon Time proved to be a disappointment.
Later that year, MCA Records crossed over into its parent company,
Geffen Records. Many of the artists on its roster were let go, including
N-Toon. The group disbanded early 2001. The same year, Polite signed
his first solo record deal under basketball player Magic Johnson’s
MJM label
By 2004, Lloyd was re-discovered and signed to Irv Gotti's The Inc.
Records as a solo artist and released his debut album, "Southside",
on July 20, 2004. It debuted at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard 200
and 3 on the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" charts, selling
over 67,000 copies in its first week. The first single, "Southside",
featured label-mate R&B singer Ashanti, managed to peaked at
number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the "Top
R&B/Hip-Hop Song" charts. The second single, "Hey Young
Girl" was released in August 2004 and peaked at number 61 on
the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" chart. The third and final
single, "Southside Remix" featured Ashanti and rapper Scarface.
Later that year, he was featured on 8Ball & MJG's "Forever" and
Tango Redd's "Let's Cheat". In 2005, Lloyd was featured
on label-mate Ja Rule's, "Caught Up", the song saw minor
success in the United States reaching number 65 on the "Top
R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" charts. However, the song peaked at number
20 on the UK Singles Chart.
[edit] 2006–09: Street Love
The singer re-entered recording studios to start work with producers
Bryan-Michael Cox, James Lackey, Jazze Pha, Big Reese and Jasper
Cameron and The Inc.'s 7 Aurelius. Released on March 13, 2007, Street
Love debuted at number two on Billboard`s 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop
albums chart, with sales of 145,000 copies emerging as Lloyd's highest
debut and biggest first week.[2] It eventually received a gold certification,
and has sold over half-a-million copies domestically.[3] The album's
lead single, Jasper Cameron-penned "You", featured rapper
Lil' Wayne, was a big commercial successes, becoming his first top
ten single on Billboard 200. In addition, it reached the top position
of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. The single reached
number 45 in the United Kingdom and number 25 in New Zealand. The
second single "Get It Shawty" reaching number sixteen on
the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 4 on the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop
Song" chart. It also reach number 72 in the United Kingdom.
The third and final single, "Player's Prayer" was released
and peaked at number 74 on the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song" charts.
The song was not promoted and didn't receive a music video.
Later 2007, He was featured on Huey's "When I Hustle" and
Dem Franchize Boyz's "Turn Heads", both songs saw minor
success in the United States reaching number 80 and 75 on the "Top
R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" charts.
[edit] 2008–09: Lessons in Love and departure from The Inc.
"Lessons in Love" was released August 4, 2008. "The
title concept derives from a schoolboy fantasy of mine. Where I become
a professor of a classroom full of gorgeous girls, and I feel the
best thing I can give them that's really worth having is lessons
in love!", he said about the issues worked into the tracks.[4]
The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 and number
one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, with moderately successful
first week sales 51,000— about half as much as his previous
effort, number-two album Street Love.[5][6] "How We Do It (Around
My Way)", featured rapper Ludacris, was released a first single,
peaking at number 77 Billboard's "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" charts
and number 75 on the UK charts. Due to the low success of the song,
it only appeared on select versions of the album as a bonus track.
The second single, "Girls Around the World" featured Lil'
Wayne was a moderate hit. It peaked at number 64 on the Billboard
Hot 100 and number 13 on the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song" charts.
The third and final single was "Year of the Lover". The
single version featured rapper Plies. It only peaked at number one
on the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles.
In June 2009, it was announced that Lloyd would depart from The
Inc. Records. Lloyd stated that he was "focusing on just growing
in general".[7][8]
A song titled "Pusha", produced by The Runners written
by Lloyd, Raymond "Ray-Ray" Gordon, Sean "Slim" Mcmillion,
and The Monarch and featuring Juelz Santana was leaked online.[9]
Juelz Santana was later replaced on the song by Lil Wayne but later
both verses were put together and was released as the lead single
off his EP, Like Me: The Young Goldie EP.[10] Lloyd also collaborated
with Lil Wayne on the song "Bedrock" which is the second
single off Lil Wayne's record label Young Money compilation album.
On March 13 it was confirmed that Lloyd signed to Interscope Records.[11]
[edit] 2010-Present: King of Hearts
On July 25, 2010, Lloyd announced via Twitter his new album was
titled King of Hearts. On August 16, 2010, Lloyd released the first
single entitled "Lay It Down". The second single is "Let's
Get It In" and it features G-Unit rapper 50 Cent. The Album
is set to be released on February 14, 2011.[12]
[edit] Awards/Nominations
* BET Awards
o 2010, Viewer's Choice for "Bed Rock" w/ Young Money [Nominated]
[edit] Discography
Main article: Lloyd discography
* Southside (2004)
* Street Love (2007)
* Lessons in Love (2008)
* King of Hearts (2011)