Ave is a Latin word, used by the Romans as a salutation and greeting, meaning "hail". It is the singular imperative form of the verb avēre, which meant "to be well"; thus one could translate it literally as "be well" or "farewell".

The Classical Latin pronunciation of ave was [ˈaweː]. In Church Latin, it is ideally [ˈave], and in English, it tends to be pronounced /ˈɑːveɪ/.

The term was notably used to greet the Caesar or other authorities. Suetonius recorded that on one occasion, naumachiarii—captives and criminals fated to die fighting during mock naval encounters—addressed Caesar with the words Ave Caesar! Morituri te salutant! ("Hail, Caesar! Those who are about to die salute you!") in an attempt to avoid death. The expression is not recorded as being used in Roman times on any other occasion.

The Vulgate version of the Annunciation translates the salute of the angel to Mary, Mother of Jesus as Ave Maria, gratia plena ("Hail Mary, full of grace"). Ave Maria is a Catholic Marian prayer that also has inspired authors of religious music.

Christopher Charles Lloyd (born April 30, 1982), better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is a Multiracial American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. (Terminate on Sight) in 2008. Banks released his first solo album The Hunger for More in 2004 with the top ten hit single "On Fire". He followed with Rotten Apple in 2006 and left Interscope Records 2009. In 2010 G-Unit signed with EMI to distribute Banks third studio album H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2), which was released on November 22, 2010.

Banks was born in New Carrollton, Maryland and raised in Queens, New York City; he is of mixed Puerto Rican and African American descent. His father spent most of Lloyd's childhood in prison, leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings. Lloyd attended August Martin High School but dropped out at age 16. For his stage name, he took his great, great-grandfather's name Banks, which was passed on by his uncles who also shared it.

Jesse "Chase N. Cashe" Woodard is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter born in New Orleans, LA. After relocating to Los Angeles, Chase N. Cashe produced hits for several artists including R. Kelly, Brandy, Flo Rida, Pussycat Dolls, Young Money, Eminem, Saj, and Lil Wayne. Once signed under Polow da Don's record label, Zone 4 Inc. as a producer, he released his independent debut album "Gumbeaux" on March 8, 2011. It comes as no surprise that the New Orleans native chose to release his album on the same day known as Mardi Gras Day. Chase N. Cashe makes up a part of the production duo Hit-Boy & Chase N. Cashe & is also a member of the Surf Club.

Chase N. Cashe's debut album as an Artist / Rapper, "Gumbeaux", was released on March 8, 2011. The title is pronounced Gumbo. Chase says he titled his album this because Gumbo is his favorite food and it's a mix of a bunch of ingredients just like his musical style. It was released on this date to pay homage for it being Mardi Gras Day and Chase N. Cashe being from New Orleans. The album was recorded at Record Plant Studios in Hollywood, CA, Daddy's House Recording Studio in New York City, NY, and Santa Monica, CA. It features production from Chase N. Cashe, Hit-Boy, Tone Mason, The University, Rey Reel, and DreamTeam Beats. Surf Club members Stacy Barthe, Hit-Boy, Chili Chil, and Kent Money are all featured throughout the album as well. Pu$haz Ink artist TY$ is featured on the

Marvin Bernard (born on March 31, 1978), better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit. Tony Yayo was brought up in South Jamaica, Queens, New York and is longtime friends with 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks. He is signed to 50 Cent's record label G-Unit Records and recently signed a deal with EMI which will release his second untitled album. He is CEO to the label G-Unit Philly.

G-Unit boss 50 Cent was granted his own record label, "G-Unit Records" by Interscope after releasing his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Soon after the group had established their own record label, G-Unit Records, G-Unit released their first official group album Beg for Mercy in November 2003, which went on to be certified 2x Platinum in the United States. The album was released whilst Tony Yayo was in prison serving time, but Yayo still featured on the album. The second G-Unit album T.O.S: Terminate on Sight was released in July, 2008 and went on to sell 102,000 copies in the first week, and later going Gold shipping nearly 700,000 copies.^{[citation needed]}