Avg Rating: 
3.9 ( 17 total votes )
The last ten years have been strange for male R&B royalty. While rap has for the most part held steady, with Jay-Z, Kanye and Eminem forming a triumvirate leadership, R&B has undergone more changes than a Beverly Hills trophy wife. The OGs have been unable to maintain the lead they once enjoyed; Usher stumbled with Here I Stand and only now seems to be regaining his footing and even the almighty R. Kelly isn’t the hitmaking machine he was a few years ago. The young guns – Mario, Chris Brown, Omarion, etc. - have, for … ...Read the full album review
Fans can also check out Lloyd's previous albums: Lloyd - The Playboy Diaries | Lloyd - Lessons In Love
DJBooth Album Review
The last ten years have been strange for male R&B royalty. While rap has for the most part held steady, with Jay-Z, Kanye and Eminem forming a triumvirate leadership, R&B has undergone more changes than a Beverly Hills trophy wife. The OGs have been unable to maintain the lead they once enjoyed; Usher stumbled with Here I Stand and only now seems to be regaining his footing and even the almighty R. Kelly isn’t the hitmaking machine he was a few years ago. The young guns – Mario, Chris Brown, Omarion, etc. - have, for reasons personal, musical or legal have burned brightly at moments but haven’t been consistent enough to lay claim to the crown. The-Dream had it for a moment, more specifically 2009, but Love King was, ironically, a step away from the throne for Mr. Nash. In the meantime the top spots are wide open, and after his new album King of Hearts it’s time to treat Lloyd as a serious contender.
It feels like Lloyd’s been around forever, but the truth is he’s still relatively new on the block. His first album, Southside, dropped in 2004, when he was still just a teen. But in that time he’s managed to do what many of his peers haven’t – slowly but surely transition from a boy to a full grown man. Instead of reaching back to a teenage fan base that will inevitably only grow more distant (cough, Omarion, cough), King of Hearts, his fourth studio album, is strictly for the grown and sexy. It may not be a new school classic (it’s not) but this is a damn good album, and if you’re still thinking of Lloyd as the skinny, falsettoed kid promising a shawty that he was going to get it, think differently.
A singer’s voice, like their fingerprints, tends to stay the same over time, but Lloyd’s vocal cords have stretched substantially over the years. While he rightfully earned the nickname Young Goldie for his perpetually bright crooning, his vocals never betrayed much depth or personality. Lead single Lay It Down, although in many ways a template for the radio jam, finds him for the most part sticking to his trademark high pitch, but a careful listen will reveal a newfound grit and charisma, most notably on the second verse. He also more openly pays homage to R&B’s biggest voices, nailing Michael Jackson’s high pitched growl (the 3:22 mark for those with attention to detail) on the hypnotizing This Is For My Baby and there’s an obvious R. Kelly influence on Naked. Speaking of which, Kells himself joins in for the festivities for the suddenly serious World Cry, which simultaneously proves that Lloyd’s got a long way to go before he becomes a political leader like Marvin, and that he’s more willing to stray from the sex and relationships box than ever.
In many ways King of Hearts is as much Polow Da Don’s album as Lloyd’s, maybe even more so. Polow has a hand in every one of the album’s tracks and, if I’m being honest, listening to King of Hearts from beginning to end gives me a newfound respect for Polow which, perhaps, I should have had all along. While Lloyd gets props for getting his hustle and flow on for Shake It For Daddy, it’s Daddy’s insanely hypnotic beat that elevates the cut from stripper anthem to album standout, and everyone will be talking about the Andre 3K verse and the “Pu**y!” filled hook, but Dedication to My Ex’s production finds Polow seamlessly blending retro soul, doo-wop and modern pop. Throw in the sparkling Angels and you’ve got the resume of a producer with extraordinary range. I’m ready to say it; Polow’s the closest thing we have to vintage Timbaland now that Timbaland’s no longer vintage Timbaland.
King of Hearts isn’t all highlights. I’m still trying to figure out what the hell happened on Bang!!!, a banger that somehow manages to top Tity Boi’s mediocre guest verse with an even worse verse from newcomer Salo, who somehow manages to combine the worst traits of Ke$ha and Nicki. On the other side of the sonic spectrum, You II drowns in R&B ballad cliché, sprinkling in some unnecessary Euro house elements for good measure. Still, these low points are largely shielded by King of Heart’s roster – Be The One alone is more than enough to make up for Bang and You II. All that adds up to an album that isn’t quite enough to earn Lloyd the King of R&B crown, he can make a case for the Prince of R&B, and certainly deserves at least a Duke. And yes, when he titles his next album The Duke of R&B I expect royalties.
(Update: People have pointed out that I forgot Trey Songz in the opening paragraph. You’re absolutely right, huge oversight on my part. Trey’s absolutely in the discussion for the male R&B crown right now.)
Listen to More: Lloyd Written by Nathan S.
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Member Reviews and Ratings
Average Member Rating: Total Ratings: 17
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King of Hearts is an album that caters more to a mature audience being a lot more sexual than sensual. the problem is that the album seems too immarture and childish with too many clinchés and fillers. The album is too incohearent because for every Lay It Down (A song that really highlights his strength) there are at least 5 Shake It 4 Daddy (Wich walks the line of unbearable). The album-closer “World Cry” sounds like a awkward attempt of re-creating a "We Are the World" and Lloyd is better of just worshipping the woman.
A lot of new talented artist has taken R&B and molded it so it fit into their artistic vision and Lloyd needs to be a little more coherent and get a more clearer vision. |
| Posted on Jul 19, 2011 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 544 |
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Agree with TheOEliasO. If the album was more focused it could of been stronger and Lloyd would of proven to doubters that he should be taken more serious. Dedication to My Ex is the best song, as well as the only song that shows Lloyd could really hold the title as king of R&B.
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| Posted on Jul 20, 2011 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 544 |
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@ Nathan, Chris Brown is the closest thing to being King. He had a minor setback in '09 but he's arguably hotter than he's ever been. Instead of naming Chris in the opening paragraph you should of named Ne-Yo (another singer you forgot about). He along with Dream, Mario, and Omarion have fallen off.
Usher is more pop nowadays and seems old, in my opinion, to Trey and Chris. Trey is really Chris' only competitor but his music is so narrow minded (it's always sex) and seems to always get outshined by Chris anyways. 18,000 people in New York agree with me at the Today show. |
| Posted on Jul 20, 2011 |
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Music is finally making a turn where Lloyd sounds way to average on this album but its not bad.
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| Posted on Jul 20, 2011 |
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not bad. i still think trey is king of r&b, ever since usher went pop and kells dissapeared. chris brown also somewhat went pop( better with lights off), even TRIED rapping in look at me now, and did a song with guetta. i dnt think hes king at all. trey puts our r&b music all the time, even they about the same thing. lloyd is not far behind but the album wass ok. lay our head was really good adn this is for my baby was good. those 2 r only the really good ones. the rest average
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| Posted on Jul 20, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jul 20, 2011 |
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I'd give this a 3.5, definitely a nice fit with Polow Da Don for Lloyd, but there were some songs that were a bit generic. However, he is maturing, there were some real nice songs here (Lay It Down, Angel, This Is For My Baby and Dedication). He's improving, just not sure if he's quite in that conversation for King Of R&B. To me its still Trey Songz killin it.
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| Posted on Jul 21, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 7 |
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King Of Hearts is a great album start to finish..Lloyd is amazing artist. What I love most/respect is Lloyd's passion for his music. Lloyd is real artist he doesn't conform to what radio says is real music. Lloyd is Real Artist, Real Music. Lloyds vocals are incredible. King Of Hearts gives a variety music to jam from Lay It down, Bang, Angel, and Be The One. King Of Hearts Is A Great Album..Best Work To DATE...Lloyd Grammy Worthy ...
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| Posted on Jul 24, 2011 |
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Lloyd is consistent at making good music and has stepped up his game. I have King of Hearts in heavy rotation I give it 4 stars but it is much better if you purchase the deluxe version of the album. The added bonus tracks like "Stay" make the album rank even higher.
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| Posted on Jul 24, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 22 |
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Minus a couple songs - This is a really solid album from Lloyd. Good to hear progression, not to mention Polow's production which was craaazzy.. definately benchmark for hitmakers right now..BANGER..
Funnily favourite track is on the deluxe edition - King of Hearts - got that ish on repeat lol. Dope r'n'b cut |
| Posted on Jul 25, 2011 |
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Solid album .as to whether Chris Brown Trey Songz or Lloyd is the King of R &B well we all know that definitely has nothing to do with quality of song. PERIOD. commin from a DJ who Kool KIDS fish fresh outta water is his best album to listen to explains his comments/review. This album is great and the production on the album is unlike the classic stuff we are hearing now ... they took chances and it paid off. They thought "out the box" and some ppl dont like change. Thats obvious here with the few comments that gave 2-3 stars. They cant hear Out the box. Well this album takes u on a ride out the box and beyond. It does go from club banger to ballad to World Cry but who doesnt like to slow it up than speed it up thats wat makes the album soo great! Lloyd takes u on a "ride " and im loving every minute of it. IT stays on repeat from start to finish in my player
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| Posted on Jul 26, 2011 |
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I love King Of Hearts, it's a wonderful album. I love all the songs, I have no problem with the album what's so ever. Lloyd never have disappointed me or his other fans. Lloyd's music is always good to listen to. I would vote for him as King of R&b any day, he got my vote! I believe that this album is the best album that he really worked hard on. If you want to hear the real side of him just listen to it, it's really good! 2 thumbs ups & some toes :)
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| Posted on Jul 29, 2011 |
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Keep in mind that this review is for the deluxe version of the album. I was ready to give this a four star rating, but the fact that Lloyd was able to go so hard on so many songs blew me away. The album's transitions still feel a bit choppy, but each song holds its own. If one song needed to be removed from the album, I'd probably say Bang just because the production isn't up to the caliber of the other tracks. I do disagree with You II being a mixtape ready track. Mainstream pop radio would eat that song up if it actually got released as a single.
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| Posted on Aug 02, 2011 |
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great album...
but you also forgot to mention Ne-Yo who, while suffering from a poor release in Libra Scale, is worth vote over Omarion imo |
| Posted on Aug 04, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member |
I have always respected Lloyd, but the reason why i give him such a low rating is, that i expected more... There is a lot of competition on the scene right now, who go veryyyy hard so i expect lloyd to come back harder, but he fails to impress me... all the songs are about pretty much the same thing, with the odd radio hit mixed in.
I think he needed some big name features in. |
| Posted on Aug 04, 2011 |
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| Posted on Aug 08, 2011 |
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| Posted on Aug 09, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 9 |
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Okay can somebody confirm that I'm listening to the same album as everyone else? I've been a fan of Lloyd for a while so don't get this confused with me hating. In all honesty Lloyd seems to be lost and can't stick with a style that works. In my opinion his best album was Street Love and I believe Lessons in Love was rushed due to the success of the previous album and needed a lot more polish. Anyway back to the album at hand ... I just can't get into it. A good R&B album needs not only hot singles for radio but the right tempo just go back and check out other solid albums and you will understand what I mean. With Trey Songz, Usher, and Chris Brown doing their thing it leaves very little room for guessing what direction to go in for your album. Lloyd needed to come with some straight fire or not come at all ... period. Hopefully he will hit the studio and come back stronger next time.
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| Posted on Aug 24, 2011 |
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| Posted on Nov 09, 2011 |
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