Lloyd

Biography

Lloyd Polite Jr. (born January 3, 1986) is an American R&B singer. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Decatur, Georgia, he began his musical career as a member of the preteen-boy band N-Toon, which was formed by Joyce Irby in 1996. The group disbanded in 2001, and Polite signed with record executive Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings in 2003 to pursue a solo career. His 2004 debut single, "Southside×Southside20 July 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1ATL Tales / Ride Wit Me5:162Hey Young Girl3:583Southside4:384Feelin You4:055Take It Low4:296Hustler4:397My Life4:088Cadillac Love3:569Trance4:4210Feels So Right4:4911This Way4:2612Miss Lady (interlude)1:4613Sweet Dreams4:1214I'm a G3:4915Yesterday5:2116Southside (remix)5:18" (featuring Ashanti) peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and led his first album Southside (2004), which entered the Billboard 200 at number 11. His second album, Street Love×Street Love13 March 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Lloyd (intro)1:322You4:333Certified4:324I Don't Mind3:555Get It Shawty3:306Incredible4:127Valentine4:348Hazel3:519Player's Prayer4:1110Killing Me4:3811Take You Home3:4712What You Wanna Do3:4413Streetlove4:5514One for Me4:1215I Want You (remix)4:27 (2007) debuted at number two on the chart and was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 singles "You" (featuring Lil Wayne) and "Get It Shawty×Get It Shawty2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Get It Shawty (Main)3:292Get It Shawty (Instrumental)3:293Get It Shawty (A Cappella)3:14".
His third album, Lessons in Love×Lessons in Love1 January 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Sex Education3:362Girls Around the World3:503Treat U Good4:074Year of the Lover4:075I Can Change Your Life3:286Lose Your Love4:057Have My Baby4:168Love Making 1014:049Party All Over Your Body3:4610Touched by an Angel4:0811I'm Wit It3:0412Heart Attack3:24 (2008), peaked at number seven on Billboard 200. He guest appeared on Young Money's 2009 single, "BedRock", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and yielded his furthest commercial success. After his departure from Murder Inc., he signed with Atlanta-based producer Polow da Don's record label Zone 4, an imprint of Interscope Records in March 2010. His fourth album, King of Hearts×King of Hearts1 January 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Intro (MDMA)1:152Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)3:563Cupid3:554Luv Me Girl4:055Naked5:076Jigsaw3:367Bang!!!!3:408Be the One4:339Shake It 4 Daddy3:5710Lay It Down4:0111Angel2:5912This Is 4 My Baby5:1313You II4:5714World Cry4:41 (2011), peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 and was supported by the moderately-performing singles "Lay It Down×Lay It Down31 August 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Lay It Down4:01" and "Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)×Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)2 December 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Dedication to My Ex (Miss That) (clean)3:562Dedication to My Ex (Miss That) (explicit)3:563Lay It Down4:01" (featuring André 3000 and Lil Wayne)—the latter saw further success internationally. Following a five-year hiatus, he independently released his 2016 single "Tru", which received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It preceded his fifth and first self-released album, Tru (2018).
In March 2019, Polite joined a lineup of prominent early-2000s contemporary R&B artists for The Millennium Tour, which quickly became one of that year's most popular shows. Outside of music, Polite first acted in the 2005 UPN television series One on One, in which he starred as the love interest of main cast member Spirit—played by Sicily. He made his film debut as Gregory Williams—founding member of Switch—in TV One's original biopic, The Bobby Debarge Story.

Early life

Lloyd Polite Jr. was born on January 3, 1986, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Lloyd Polite Sr. and Robin Lewis Polite. He grew up in the Calliope Projects in Central City, New Orleans and then moved to Decatur, Georgia. In Decatur, Polite found his desire to sing and later relocated to New York City where he met Irv Gotti.

2004–2007: Southside and Street Love

In 2004, Polite was discovered and signed to Irv Gotti's The Inc. as a solo artist and released his debut album, Southside×Southside20 July 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1ATL Tales / Ride Wit Me5:162Hey Young Girl3:583Southside4:384Feelin You4:055Take It Low4:296Hustler4:397My Life4:088Cadillac Love3:569Trance4:4210Feels So Right4:4911This Way4:2612Miss Lady (interlude)1:4613Sweet Dreams4:1214I'm a G3:4915Yesterday5:2116Southside (remix)5:18, on July 20, 2004. It debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. The album's lead single, "Southside", featuring R&B singer Ashanti, managed to peak at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. The second and final single, "Hey Young Girl" was released in August 2004 and peaked at number 61 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Later that year he featured on 8Ball & MJG's "Forever" and Tango Redd's "Let's Cheat". In 2004, Polite was featured on label-mate Ja Rule's "Caught Up×Caught Up2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Caught Up4:312Gun Talk4:313New York4:18"; the song saw minor success in the United States, reaching number 65 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. However, on the UK Singles Chart the song peaked at number 20.
The singer reentered the recording studios to begin 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 the US Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums charts, with sales of 145,000 copies emerging as Lloyd's highest debut and biggest first week. It eventually received a gold certification, and has sold over half a million copies domestically. The album's lead single, Jasper Cameron-penned "You", featured rapper Lil Wayne, was a big commercial success, becoming his first top ten single on the Hot 100. In addition, it reached the top position on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single reached number 45 in the United Kingdom and number 25 in New Zealand. The second single "Get It Shawty×Get It Shawty2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Get It Shawty (Main)3:292Get It Shawty (Instrumental)3:293Get It Shawty (A Cappella)3:14" reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. It also reached number 37 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 Songs chart. The song was not promoted and didn't receive a music video. Later in 2007, he was featured on Huey's "When I Hustle×When I Hustle2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1When I Hustle (clean version)3:382When I Hustle (instrumental)3:233When I Hustle (explicit version)3:384When I Hustle (clean a cappella)3:225When I Hustle (explicit a cappella)3:21" and Dem Franchize Boyz's "Turn Heads×Turn Heads22 July 2008 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Turn Heads4:20", both songs saw minor success in the United States, reaching number 80 and 75 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

2008–2009: Lessons in Love

Lessons in Love was released on 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. 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 many as his previous effort, number two album Street Love×Street Love13 March 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Lloyd (intro)1:322You4:333Certified4:324I Don't Mind3:555Get It Shawty3:306Incredible4:127Valentine4:348Hazel3:519Player's Prayer4:1110Killing Me4:3811Take You Home3:4712What You Wanna Do3:4413Streetlove4:5514One for Me4:1215I Want You (remix)4:27. "How We Do It (Around My Way)×How We Do It (Around My Way)4 March 2008 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1How We Do It (Around My Way) (original)3:402How We Do It (Around My Way) (Wideboys remix radio edit)2:563How We Do It (Around My Way) (Reckless remix)4:13", featured rapper Ludacris, was released as the first single, peaking at number 77 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart 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×Girls Around The World2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Girls Around The World (Radio Version)3:312Girls Around The World (Instrumental)3:333Girls Around The World (A Cappella)3:31", featured Lil Wayne and was a moderate hit. It peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 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 Polite would depart from The Inc. Records. Lloyd stated that he was "focusing on just growing in general". A song titled "Pusha", produced by The Runners written by Polite, Raymond "Ray-Ray" Gordon, Sean "Slim" McMillion, and The Monarch and featuring Juelz Santana was leaked online. 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 from his EP, Like Me: The Young Goldie EP×Like Me: The Young Goldie EP9 December 2009 · EP · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Like Me4:162Pusha4:273Take It Off4:094What You Want4:235Think of Me4:046Everyday3:467Pro in the Game3:338A Night Off3:14. Polite also collaborated with Lil Wayne on the song "BedRock" which is the second single from Lil Wayne's record label Young Money compilation album. On March 13 it was confirmed that Lloyd signed to Interscope Records.

2010–2013: King of Hearts

In May 2010, Polite teamed up with fellow New Orleans native Mystikal and recorded "Set Me Free". The video was shot primarily in the Calliope Projects of New Orleans. The song featured heavy brass sounds and a sample of "Unchain My Heart" by Ray Charles. On July 25, 2010, Lloyd announced via Twitter that his new album will be entitled King of Hearts×King of Hearts1 January 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Intro (MDMA)1:152Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)3:563Cupid3:554Luv Me Girl4:055Naked5:076Jigsaw3:367Bang!!!!3:408Be the One4:339Shake It 4 Daddy3:5710Lay It Down4:0111Angel2:5912This Is 4 My Baby5:1313You II4:5714World Cry4:41. It was released on July 5, 2011, and on August 16, 2010, Polite released the first single entitled "Lay It Down×Lay It Down31 August 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Lay It Down4:01". The second single was "Cupid×Cupid22 March 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Cupid (feat. Awesome Jones!!!!)3:55" and the third single released was "Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)×Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)2 December 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Dedication to My Ex (Miss That) (clean)3:562Dedication to My Ex (Miss That) (explicit)3:563Lay It Down4:01"; to date the single is Lloyd's biggest international hit peaking at number three on the Australian and UK charts. The song features André 3000 of OutKast and is narrated by Lil Wayne.
On October 29, 2012, Polite released his first mixtape The Playboy Diaries×The Playboy Diaries29 October 2012 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1The Playboy Diaries1:542Sexcapade4:263Take It Off4:094Turn on the Lights2:365Night & Day4:076Every Day3:467Foriegn3:158Swimming Pools2:499Set Me Free4:0610Me & My Baby3:1811The Question2:0812I Need You4:0513All of Me4:0214Streets Is Talking3:24 Vol. 1. It features Lil Wayne, August Alsina, Trae Tha Truth among others. In January 2013 Polite released a song called "Twerk Off×Twerk Off2013 · Single · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Twerk Off2:44" featuring rapper Juicy J and was produced by Drumma Boy.

2016–present: Tru

On May 6, 2016, he released his first single in five years titled "Tru", with the audio for the song released on YouTube 12 days later. On June 23, 2016, during an interview, Polite revealed that he had signed a new distribution deal with Empire. Lloyd announced the release of his fifth studio album titled Out My Window on October 25, 2016. On November 7 Polite announced via his Instagram that he would be releasing a new EP before his album on December 9, 2016, titled Tru.
On July 9, 2018, Polite released "Caramel" as the first single from his album Tru. The album was released on August 31, 2018.

Personal life

On September 3, 2010, Polite cut off his signature long hair and donated it to charity. On July 6, 2011, Lloyd revealed a new tattoo of "Guns & Roses" that was tattooed on the back of his head. On March 14, 2016, it was announced and revealed that Lloyd had earned his GED certificate, encouraging his fans to do the same if they had not finished high school. In an August 2016 interview with Sway Calloway, Polite explains his hiatus through the lyrics of his song "Tru", expressing how he lost an unborn child to an abortion and that it "left a big hole", while also detailing other family issues. In September 2017, Polite's girlfriend gave birth to their son River. The two welcomed their daughter in late 2018.