David Banner

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David Banner
David Banner on the cover of his album Certified
Background information
Birth name	Levell Crump
Born	1973
Origin	Jackson, Mississippi
Genre(s)	hip hop, Southern Rap
Occupation(s)	rapper
Years active	1999 - present
Label(s)	SRC/Universal Records/Def Jam South
Associated acts	Crooked Lettaz Yung Wun
Website	www.david-banner.com

David Banner (born Levell Crump in Jackson, Mississippi in c. 1973) is a rapper, occasional actor, hip hop music record producer, record label executive, and philantropist. He takes his name from the lead character of the 1980s CBS television series The Incredible Hulk.

[edit] Early career

Prior to having a solo career, Banner was part of the rap duo Crooked Lettaz which released an album called Grey Skies in 1999. Banner then released his first solo album called Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 in 2000. The album managed to sell over 10,000 copies in his hometown alone despite having little record label backing.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Recent career

His first major-label album, Mississippi: The Album, went gold and was a critical and commercial success^{[citation needed]}, largely due to the success of lead single, "Like A Pimp (Featuring Lil' Flip)", as well as more introspective album tracks such as "Cadillacs On 22's" and "Mississippi." The following album, MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water, was completed in two weeks at the behest of SRC executive Steve Rifkind.^{[citation needed]} His fourth album, Certified was released on September 20, 2005, after repeated delays.

In 2006 Banner appeared on a track from DJ Shadow's The Outsider entitled "Seein' Thangs". The track features comments on the tragedies of Hurricane Katrina. He is also the creator of the main theme to the game Saints Row.^[1]

He currently remains signed to SRC.

In November 2006, David Banner was awarded a Visionary Award by the National Black Caucus of the State Legislature in recognition of his work after Hurricane Katrina. This move was criticized by conservatives within the state, as well as some civil rights leaders, who Banner has accused of failing to adequately aid Mississippi.^[2].

[edit] Education

Banner graduated from John W. Provine High School in Jackson, MS and is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While there, he served as president of the Student Government Association.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Trivia

• David Banner is one of the few rap artists to perform a duet with Michael Jackson.
• In 1996, he tried out for the Golden State Warriors in hopes of being an NBA star
• He's included as a playable character in the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY
• Was the opening act for Big L's America Tour in 1996
• Composed a track for 1998 action-thriller Belly
• Owns the same Chevy car used in cult-classic action film The French Connection
• Co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci in Black Snake Moan

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

• 2000: Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 (10,000 Copies Sold)
• 2003: Mississippi: The Album US #9 Gold 1 million copies world wide
• 2003: MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water US #69
• 2005: Certified US #6
• 2007: The Greatest Story Ever Told

[edit] Singles

[edit] Selected production credits

• "Rubber Band Man" and "Countdown" by T.I.
• "Tip Drill" by Nelly (Ft. St. Lunatics)
• "Talkin' That Talk" by Chamillionaire (Ft. David Banner)
• "I'm" by Remy Ma
• "All The Way To St. Lou" by Chingy
• "See About Ya" by Beezle
• "Representin" by Lil Flip (Ft. Three 6 Mafia & David Banner)
• "Ain't No Nigga" by Lil Flip
• "Take It To The Floor" by T-Rock
• "Somebody Gotta Pay" by Kane & Abel
• "Faknass Hoes" by Tha Dogg Pound
• "Nappy Roots Day" by Nappy Roots
• "Yeah Boii" by Jibbs
• "Walk It, Talk It" by Yung Wun
• "Make Em' Mad" by Chopper City Boyz (Ft. B.G.
• "Gangsta Walk" By David Banner (Ft. Three six mafia, 8ball and MJG)

[edit] External links

• David Banner Official Site
• David Banner Interview
• All Music Guide's David Banner entry
• David Banner Interview on JumpBoxTV
• MTV's David Banner news archives