Lloyd Banks is another dope spitter whose bars may be slipping due to his proximity to Curtis. Not two years ago, anytime he popped up he'd be guaranteed to drop a verse you'd salivate over. However, his appearances on G-Unit's Beg for Mercy and his debut The Hunger for More left fans starved for the old Banks that murked many a mix tape. I wouldn't count Banks out, though--and I might even check him out at the Showbox come October 13; lemme just dig out my vest and spinning jewelry. Lloyd and 50's latest target, Nas, just dropped his double-disc Street's Disciple. I haven't heard all of it yet, but I honestly expect that it's gonna be tight, judging from what I've heard so far. The perfect double-disc rap album has yet to be released, however. Of course, some would argue that it has been thanks to Pac and Big's classic double albums, while still others would say that Nelly's Sweat/Suit is pure genius. Those people, however, might just benefit from the second annual "Back to Its Roots" spoken word and hiphop festival at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center October 8-10. This event will feature poet/actress/ activist Jessica Care Moore, Beyond Reality, Rajnii, Blue Scholars, DV One, Circle of Fire, the Massive Monkees, and many others. Make sure you also peep the ill visuals by local art fixture Christophe Roberts--and once the weekend is done, check out his Halla Bak Mondays, featuring DJs HiJack and Sean C at the Lo_Fi, next to the Lobo, on Eastlake. That is, if you get your swerve on during the week--a'ight!