Looks like Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo will be making more of an impact with their rap hits as a result of the recent union between G-Unit Records and EMI Label Services.

G-Unit, formerly part of the Interscope Records family, has joined forces with the music company. The new deal will exclusively distribute and promote 50 Cent’s label under the EMI umbrella. Lloyd Banks’ third solo effort, H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2), due November 23, will be the first release to reap the benefits of the new partnership. Yayo’s as-yet-untitled sophomore album will follow in early 2011.

Lloyd Banks spoke about the merger, namely the employees’ gusto surrounding his new album. “It’s refreshing to see the EMI staff excited about my project; they have the passion and energy I haven’t seen in a while,” he said in a statement.

With the additional push EMI has to offer, Mike Harris, the label’s EVP/general manager, feels the artists on the roster will continue cementing their names in the hip-hop landscape. “We are delighted to join forces with G-Unit and artists who are truly marquee names in hip-hop,” he stated. “G-Unit is a huge force. Lloyd Banks knows how to deliver a lyrical punch and his single has already generated huge anticipation for the album. Tony Yayo is a totally unique talent, and ‘Pass the Patron’ already has the hip-hop world buzzing about his album coming out next year.”

–Georgette Cline

Lloyd Banks has been arrested on assault and robbery charges after allegedly attacking a promoter following a concert in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on Friday night (Jan. 8).

The G-Unit member, born Christopher Lloyd, performed at Brantford’s Club N.V. before the altercation occurred. According to MTV News, the rapper and three associates, Nicklas Sloane, Shawn McGee, and Tyrell Cooper, got into an argument with the promoter over payment for his appearance and performance.

The promoter claimed that Banks and the three other men held him in his hotel room against his will before assaulting and robbing him on Saturday morning (Jan. 9). All four individuals were charged with forceful confinement, aggravated assault, and robbery.

Banks and his associates appeared in court via video on Sunday (Jan. 10) and are due back early this week. They currently remain in police custody.

Spike TV held its annual Video Game Awards at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Calif. on Sunday. The show featured performances and appearances from 50 Cent and G-Unit (video below), LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Kim Kardashian, and Vida Guerra.

50 Cent performs “Get Up” with G-Unit

Eminem made a rare public appearance at the release party for his new book, The Way I Am, at NORT/Recon in New York on Wednesday. Joining Em were 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, LL Cool J, and The Alchemist.

Photos (top to bottom): Eminem, 50 Cent and Em, G-Unit, LL Cool J, Kid Cudi, and The Alchemist.

Watch the video for G-Unit’s third single “Close to Me” and the Swizz Beatz-produced “Get Down” below.

Fresh from court, 50 Cent speaks on fighting over custody of his son Marquise, Lil Wayne, and the less than stellar sales of G-Unit’s T.O.S.

Get your copy of Rap-Up‘s Summer 2008 issue for an exclusive interview and all-new photos of 50, Banks, and Yayo.

Vitaminwater celebrated MLB All-Star Week with the Homers in the Hudson Event at Hudson Terrace in NYC on Monday. 50 Cent and G-Unit, Aubrey O’Day, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, and Russell Simmons were in attendance.

Photos (top to bottom): Aubrey O’Day, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, and Russell Simmons.

Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III returns to the top of The Billboard 200 this week selling 156,000 copies. The New Orleans rapper’s latest album has now moved 1.68 million units since its release four weeks ago.

G-Unit’s sophomore album, T.O.S. (Terminate on Sight), debuts at No. 4 with 102,000. The group’s previous album Beg For Mercy was No. 1 with 377,000 when it debuted in 2003.

G-Unit and Yung Berg visited MTV’s “TRL” on Monday. G-Unit’s T.O.S. (Terminate On Sight) drops on July 1st.

Yung Berg also appeared on “TRL.” We’re not sure why he’s holding a doll of himself in this photo. Check out the tracklisting for Berg’s debut album Look What You Made Me.

Young Buck called up 50 Cent to apologize, asking to be reinstated into G-Unit. “I don’t want to be dismembered from the crew,” he pleads in this emotional phone call. Guess you don’t know what you got until it’s gone.

UPDATE: This phone call is apparently a year old leaked conversation 50 had with Buck. So the situation remains the same.