David Banner
Encyclopedia
Lavell Crump better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...

 and graduated from Southern University
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...

. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz
Crooked Lettaz
Crooked Lettaz was an American hip hop group composed of Jackson, Mississippi natives David Banner and Kamikaze.Signed to Penalty Recordings in 1998, Crooked Lettaz first promotional single "Caught Up In The Game" was released later in the year followed by "Firewater" in early 1999 which featured...

 before going solo in 2000 with Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 and signed to Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...

 in 2003. With Universal, Banner released four albums: Mississippi: The Album
Mississippi: The Album
Mississippi: The Album is the debut album released by David Banner. It did not reach a high position in the charts however it did spawn the popular club tune "Like A Pimp" and the hit "Cadillac On 22s"...

(2003), MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water is the second studio album by rapper David Banner. It was released in the United States on December 23, 2003. There is a Chopped & Screwed version by Michael 5000 Watts.-Track listing:...

(2004), Certified (2005), and The Greatest Story Ever Told
The Greatest Story Ever Told (David Banner album)
The Greatest Story Ever Told is the fourth studio album by American rapper David Banner, released on May 20, 2008.-History:The first single from the album is called "Speaker", better known by its explicit title "9mm". It features Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Akon. The track was produced by Akon. The...

(2008).

Early life

Lavell Crump grew up in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...

, the son of Zeno and Carolyn Crump. He attended Northwest Jackson Middle School and Provine High School
Provine High School
Provine High School is a public school in Jackson, Mississippi. It is part of the Jackson Public School District.Provine High School, also called "Ram City", serves students in grades 9–12 in the West Jackson area. Students from subdivisions such as Northwest Hills Terrace, The Queens, Country Club...

. After graduating from high school, he attended Southern University
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...

 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...

, his mother Carolyn's alma mater. At Southern, Crump served as president of the Student Government Association and received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...

 in business. He attended the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...

 to pursue a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...

 in education but dropped out to pursue his music career. His father Zeno died on June 17, 2007.

Music career

Crump's stage name David Banner is taken from the lead character of the television series The Incredible Hulk. With several of his friends, Banner sent some demo tapes to Jackson radio station WJMI
WJMI
WJMI is a radio station licensed to Jackson, Mississippi, USA with a Mainstream Urban musical format. The station is owned by Inner City Broadcasting Corporation.-Station history:...

, whose operations manager praised them. In 1999, as the duo Crooked Lettaz, with rapper Kamikaze, Banner released Grey Skies (Penalty Recordings).

Banner released his solo debut album Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 in 2000. Released under the independent label Big Face Records, the album sold about 7,000 copies.

When the single "Like a Pimp" became a radio hit it attracted significant label interest towards the artist. After assessing the offers, Banner and manager Scott Johnson decided to sign with Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...

 subsidiary SRC Records
SRC Records
SRC Records is an American record label created by former Loud Records CEO Steve Rifkind. It is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and is distributed through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...

 because the pair were aware of CEO Steve Rifkind
Steve Rifkind
Steve Rifkind is a music entrepreneur who is, according to XXL magazine, "responsible for breaking in some of hip-hop’s biggest artists in his 25 years in the business". Rifkind was the founder and chairman of Loud Records as well as the founder and current chairman and CEO of SRC Records...

's successful history with Loud Records
Loud Records
Loud Records is a subsidiary of SRC Records founded by Steve Rifkind in 1992.Loud was a hip hop label which has released material by acts such as Wu-Tang Clan, Big Punisher, Mobb Deep, Krayzie Bone, The Beatnuts, M.O.P., Tha Alkaholiks, Pete Rock, Lil' Flip, Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Xzibit,...

.

Banner released his first major label album Mississippi: The Album
Mississippi: The Album
Mississippi: The Album is the debut album released by David Banner. It did not reach a high position in the charts however it did spawn the popular club tune "Like A Pimp" and the hit "Cadillac On 22s"...

in 2003 with SRC and Universal. Mississippi included the hit single, "Like a Pimp", featuring Lil Flip. "Like a Pimp" peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, #15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...

 chart, and #10 on the Hot Rap Tracks
Hot Rap Tracks
Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single...

 chart. He released the follow-up album the same year called MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water is the second studio album by rapper David Banner. It was released in the United States on December 23, 2003. There is a Chopped & Screwed version by Michael 5000 Watts.-Track listing:...

, yielding "Crank It Up", featuring Static Major
Static Major
Stephen Ellis Garrett also known as Static Major, was a Grammy Award-Winning American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. Static Major gained posthumous fame for appearing on Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III on the...

. Banner produced T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....

's 2004 single "Rubberband Man
Rubberband Man
"Rubberband Man" is the third single released from T.I.'s album Trap Muzik. Containing a sample of 'Go With Me' by Mannie Fresh, Production by David Banner was noted by music reviewers, particularly the ascending organ riff that has been described as 'hypnotic' and 'pure halftime show'. Upon...

", which reached #30 on the Hot 100, #15 on the R&B chart, and #11 on the rap chart.

In 2005, he released another album, Certified. Its first single was "Ain't Got Nothing", featuring Magic & Lil Boosie
Lil Boosie
Torrence Hatch , better known by his stage name Lil Boosie, is an American rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Hatch was bestowed the nickname Boosie by his family, and he was raised in southside Baton Rouge...

, followed by his second single, "Play", which reached #7 on the Hot 100 chart, #5 on the R&B chart, and #3 on the rap chart. The third single was "Touching", featuring Jazze Pha; "Touching" reached #54 on the R&B chart.

On July 15, 2008, Banner released his fifth studio album, The Greatest Story Ever Told
The Greatest Story Ever Told (David Banner album)
The Greatest Story Ever Told is the fourth studio album by American rapper David Banner, released on May 20, 2008.-History:The first single from the album is called "Speaker", better known by its explicit title "9mm". It features Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Akon. The track was produced by Akon. The...

. His first single is "9mm", featuring Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...

, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...

, & Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...

. Banner produced his next two singles: "Get Like Me
Get Like Me
"Get Like Me" is the second single from David Banner's sixth album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. The song features Chris Brown and samples several lines from Yung Joc's "It's Goin' Down". The song originally featured Jim Jones but label troubles prevented him being featured on the single...

", featuring Chris Brown and Yung Joc
Yung Joc
YaMar Jon Robinson , better known by his stage name Yung Joc, is an American rapper.-Early life:Robinson's father, Vivian Young, ran a hair-care products company and helped him write a jingle for Revlon; Robinson founded his own label to release his music.-New Joc City :After Teaming with producer...

, and "Shawty Say
Shawty Say
"Shawty Say" is the third single off David Banner's fifth studio album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. The song features Lil Wayne and samples his song "Lollipop". The song also has a similar vibe to "Get Like Me", performed by the same artist. The song was leaked on June 26, 2008 and was...

", featuring Lil Wayne. "Get Like Me" reached #16 on the Hot 100, #7 on the R&B chart, and #2 on the rap chart.

He is the creator of the theme song to the game Saints Row
Saints Row
Saints Row is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Volition, Inc. and published by THQ. It is the first title in the Saints Row series and is succeeded by Saints Row 2. A PlayStation 3 port was cancelled after protracted development time...

. He worked with gospel duo Mary Mary in Superfriend.

He is credited with writing, producing and arranging an original song (with vocals by Blackstreet
Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...

's Kermit Quinn) for Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...

's 2010 "Gatorade Has Evolved" TV commercial.

2010 will see the release of the first fruits of a much anticipated collaboration between Banner and hip-hop producer 9th Wonder
9th Wonder
Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J...

. The duo paired up to create an album entitled "Death of a Pop Star
Death of a Pop Star
Death of a Pop Star is a collaborative studio album by Mississippi rapper David Banner and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder. The album, originally a mixtape, serves as the artists' first collaborative work together. The album's theme is the death of contemporary music and increasing popularity of...

", which was released on December 21, 2010. In an interview with HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...

, 9th Wonder talked about the inspiration behind the album saying, "We thought that in many ways the death of Michael Jackson meant the death of black music ... Not to say black music is dead all the way, but on the mainstream side there’s not really much of a focus on soul. There’s not a lot of people trying to redefine soul music."

Major national advertisement for Gatorade running still in July 2010 featuring Evolve, Written, produced and arranged by David Banner.Revolvution Ad's Full Song on YOUTUBE.

Recently, he contributed an original music for a commercial for the video game Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. He also collaborated with the gospel duo, Mary Mary
Mary Mary
Mary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell . The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz...

, on their album The Sound
The Sound
The Sound were an English post-punk band, formed in 1979 and dissolved in 1988. The band was fronted by Adrian Borland and evolved from his previous band, The Outsiders...

 with the song Superfriend.

Film career

Banner played the part of Tehronne in Black Snake Moan. He has worked on the Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...

 cartoon show That Crook'd 'Sipp, which premiered Sunday, May 13, 2007. His single "Play
Play (David Banner song)
"Play" is the second single released by rapper David Banner from his fourth studio album Certified. It was produced by Mr. Collipark.Released in 2005, the single peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining his sole top 10 hit and his best-performing single.An alternate version, entitled the...

" was used as the background music in the pilot's first television promo. In 2007, he played the character of Mo, in the film This Christmas
This Christmas (film)
This Christmas is a 2007 Christmas comedy-drama film produced by and distributed by Screen Gems. Written, produced and directed by Preston A. Whitmore II, it is a Christmastime story that centers around the Whitfield family, whose eldest son has come home for the first time in four years...

. Banner also starred as Jay, a gang leader from the hood in Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, the sequel to 2007's Stomp the Yard, is a 2010 direct-to-video drama film directed by Rob Hardy. The film is produced by Rainforest Films and released through Sony Pictures' Screen Gems division on October 12, 2010. The original release date was October 12, but the...

. In 2010 he played Bosch in the film The Experiment.

Activism

In November 2006, Banner was awarded a Visionary Award by the National Black Caucus of the State Legislature in recognition of his work after Hurricane Katrina.

On September 25, 2007, Banner testified before Congress at a hearing about racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...

 and misogyny in hip hop music
Misogyny in hip hop culture
Misogyny in hip hop culture refers to lyrics, videos or other aspects of hip hop culture that support, glorify, justify, or normalize the objectification, exploitation, or victimization of women. Misogyny in rap music instills and perpetuates negative stereotypes about women. It can range from...

 entitled From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images. He defended his use of offensive language and argued: "Change the situation in my neighborhood and maybe I'll get better." In his opening statement, Banner stated: "I can admit there are some problems in hip hop but it is only a reflection of what's taking place in our society. Hip hop is sick because America is sick."

Solo albums

  • 2000: Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1
    Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1
    Them Firewater Boyz Vol. 1 is one of David Banner's first projects that was released on his independent label Bigface Entertainment was also known as Crooked Lettaz with partner Kamikaze, album was released in 2000...

  • 2003: Mississippi: The Album
    Mississippi: The Album
    Mississippi: The Album is the debut album released by David Banner. It did not reach a high position in the charts however it did spawn the popular club tune "Like A Pimp" and the hit "Cadillac On 22s"...

  • 2003: MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
    MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
    MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water is the second studio album by rapper David Banner. It was released in the United States on December 23, 2003. There is a Chopped & Screwed version by Michael 5000 Watts.-Track listing:...

  • 2005: Certified
  • 2008: The Greatest Story Ever Told
    The Greatest Story Ever Told (David Banner album)
    The Greatest Story Ever Told is the fourth studio album by American rapper David Banner, released on May 20, 2008.-History:The first single from the album is called "Speaker", better known by its explicit title "9mm". It features Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Akon. The track was produced by Akon. The...

  • 2011: MTA3: The Trinity Movement

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Black Snake Moan Tehronne
This Christmas
This Christmas (film)
This Christmas is a 2007 Christmas comedy-drama film produced by and distributed by Screen Gems. Written, produced and directed by Preston A. Whitmore II, it is a Christmastime story that centers around the Whitfield family, whose eldest son has come home for the first time in four years...

Mo
Monk
Monk (TV series)
Monk is an American comedy-drama detective mystery television series created by Andy Breckman and starring Tony Shalhoub as the titular character, Adrian Monk. It originally ran from 2002 to 2009 and is primarily a mystery series, although it has dark and comic touches.The series debuted on July...

Snake the Assassin (TV) Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Rapper
Mr. Monk and the Rapper
"Mr. Monk and the Rapper" is the second episode of the sixth season of Monk, and the 79th episode overall.- Plot :After a long night of partying, rapper Extra Large emerges from a building in a back alleyway where a reporter is waiting to ask a few questions...

"
2008 Days of Wrath
Days of Wrath
Days of Wrath is a 2008 drama film starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Laurence Fishburne and Wilmer Valderrama. The film is directed by Celia Fox, and written by Mitchell Kapner and Michael Markee.-Plot:...

Kryme
Vapors Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...

 
2010 The Experiment Bosch
The Confidant Daniel Jackson
2010 Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, the sequel to 2007's Stomp the Yard, is a 2010 direct-to-video drama film directed by Rob Hardy. The film is produced by Rainforest Films and released through Sony Pictures' Screen Gems division on October 12, 2010. The original release date was October 12, but the...

Jay

Awards

  • BET Hip Hop Awards
    • 2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("Get Like Me") with Chris Brown & Yung Joc [Nominated]
    • 2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("Get Like Me") with Chris Brown & Yung Joc [Nominated]
    • 2008, Best Producer [Nominated]

  • Ozone Awards
    • 2008, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Get Like Me"), featuring Chris Brown & Yung Joc [Nominated]

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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