S. Samuel
With the release of his post-Murder Inc. debut, King of Hearts finally in stores, SOHH hit up Lloyd this week to find out how much it means to have the long-awaited solo project on retail shelves.
Acknowledging the project’s positive reviews, Lloyd said he feels his hard work has finally paid off.
“I just hope that people see I tried to do the best that I could do, man,” Lloyd told SOHH. “That’s all you could really ask for. This is really the first album that I’ve released where the critics haven’t thrown me under bus. They’ve been giving me a lot of props for the music. From USA Today to Entertainment Weekly to Billboard. They’ve all shown me a lot of love. So with that said, it definitely feels good to see all the hard work, sleepless nights, endless hours, stress, creative and mental strain were gone. Trying to make something that is career defining has paid off.” (SOHH)
The project is currently en route to push up to 25,000 units in its first week.
The only significant newcomer this week is Interscope R&B crooner Lloyd, whose King of Hearts is his first album since 2008’s Lessons in Love. The first single, “Lay It Down,” was a Top 10 hit on the R&B charts last year. Initial one-day sales reports from those music retailers who haven’t paved paradise to put up a parking lot now peg the release’s sales in the 20-25k range. (HITS Daily Double)
Earlier this week, Lloyd named his top five reasons fans should support the new LP.
“I have Young Jeezy on my “Lay It Down” remix record and you’ll see why he’s one of the most consistent acts out in the South. Every time he’s come out, he’s done a million or two million and the streets love him. Regardless of what’s hot. Streets love Jeezy. We were able to lock down so many different demographics on one record which is good because it allows me to influence a bigger audience and wider range of people. It allows them to be more familiar with my music.” (“5 Reasons Why You Should Buy”)
It is the long-awaited follow-up to 2008’s Lessons in Love.
Debuting at No. 7, R&B sensation Lloyd surprised many selling a cool 51,000 in his first week on the charts. The singer’s third album Lessons In Love features special guests including hip-hop superstar Ludacris while his Lil’ Wayne assisted hit single “Girls Around the World” continues to hit radio airwaves across the country. (SOHH Sales Wrap)
Check out Lloyd’s “Dedication To My Ex” below:
