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David Banner

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This article is about the musician. For the television character in The Incredible Hulk television series, see Hulk (comics).
David Banner
Banner in January 2009, performing for American soldiers at FOB Brassfield-Mora, Iraq.
Banner in January 2009, performing for American soldiers at FOB Brassfield-Mora, Iraq.
Background information
Birth nameLavell William Crump
Born (1974-04-11) April 11, 1974 (age 50)
Chicago Illinois |Chicago]], Illinois, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, record producer, actor, activist
Instrument(s)Sampler, Keyboards
Years active1998–present
LabelsBig Face, SRC, Republic Records

Lavell William Crump (born April 11, 1974), better known by his alias David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer, occasional actor and activist.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Banner's family moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he was raised. Banner graduated from Southern University and pursued a masters of education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz, before going solo in 2000 with the release titled Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1.

In 2003, Banner signed to Universal Records releasing four albums: Mississippi: The Album (2003), MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water (2003), Certified (2005), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (2008).

Early life

Lavell William Crump was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of Zeno and Carolyn Crump. He graduated from Provine High School in Jackson in 1992 and then attended Southern University, his mother's alma mater.[1] At Southern, Crump served as president of the Student Government Association and received a bachelor's degree in business.[2] He attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to pursue a master's degree in education but later left the program to pursue his music career full-time.[3][4][5] His father Zeno died on June 17, 2007.[6]

Music career

1998–2000: Beginnings and Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1

Crump's stage name "David Banner" is taken from the lead character of the television series, The Incredible Hulk.[7] With several of his friends, Banner sent some demo tapes to Jackson, Mississippi radio station, WJMI. In 1999, Banner and rapper Kamikaze as the duo, Crooked Lettaz, released Grey Skies (Penalty Recordings).[8] In 2000, Banner released his solo debut album, Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1. Released on the independent label, Big Face Records, the album sold around 7,000 copies.[6] When the album's single, "Like a Pimp", became a radio hit, Banner began to attract major label interest.[9]

2003–06: Mississippi: The Album, MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water and Certified

After assessing various offers, Banner and manager, Scott Johnson, decided to sign with Universal Records subsidiary, SRC Records, which was founded by Steve Rifkind who had previous success as CEO of the heavyweight hip-hop label, Loud Records.[9] In 2003, Banner produced T.I.'s single, "Rubberband Man", which reached #30 on the Hot 100, #15 on the R&B chart, and #11 on the Rap chart. In 2003, Banner released his first major label album, Mississippi: The Album. 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 chart, and #10 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.[10] He released the follow-up album the same year titled MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water which yielded the hit, "Crank It Up", featuring Static Major.

In 2005, Banner released his third major label album, Certified. The album's first single was "Ain't Got Nothing" which featured Magic & Lil Boosie, followed by the second single, "Play", which reached #7 on the Hot 100 chart, #5 on the R&B chart, and #3 on the Rap chart.[10] The third single, "Touching", featured Jazze Pha and reached #54 on the R&B chart. In 2006, Banner appeared on "Seein' Thangs", a song about Hurricane Katrina featured on DJ Shadow's album "The Outsider". A remix featuring Bay Area hyphy rappers Nump and Gold also was made. Outside projects for Banner have included writing the theme song to the video game, Saints Row, as well as contributing to the music for a commercial promoting the video game, Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds.[11]

2007–present: The Greatest Story Ever Told and The God Box

Banner played the part of Tehronne in Black Snake Moan. He has worked on the Adult Swim cartoon show That Crook'd 'Sipp, which premiered Sunday, May 13, 2007. His single "Play" 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. Banner also starred as Jay, a gang leader from the hood in Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming. On July 15, 2008, Banner released his fourth major label album, The Greatest Story Ever Told.[12] The album's first single titled "9mm" featured Akon, Lil Wayne, and Snoop Dogg. Banner then produced his next two singles: "Get Like Me" featuring Chris Brown and Yung Joc, "Get Like Me" reached #16 on the Hot 100, #7 on the R&B chart, and #2 on the Rap chart.[10] and "Shawty Say", featuring Lil Wayne. In 2008, Banner was featured on the track, Superfriend, from the 2008 album, The Sound, by gospel R&B duo, Mary Mary.

In 2010, he played Bosch in the film The Experiment. He has also worked with international artists such as Seeda, a Japanese Rap Artist where he was featured in the song, Life Song in 2010 on Seeda's Breathe Album. Banner released his debut mixtape titled Sex, Drugs and Video Games on May 22, 2012 as a free download.[13] It is also available on his website, davidbanner.com, where fans are encouraged to make a donation of at least $1 for the sixteen song mixtape.[14] The first single off the mixtape is titled "Amazing" featuring Chris Brown. It was announced that Universal Republic Records was going defunct, all of the artists on the roster moved from the label including (David Banner) was being moved to Republic Records making the label itself revived.

In 2013, David Banner appeared in the music video for the song Confe$$ions by Lecrae. Banner played Earl Gaines, Cecil Gaines' father, in the 2013 film The Butler. Banner plays Jay, a criminal who is interrogated, in the 2014 film Ride Along. David Banner was featured on a remix of Mexican American rapper Kap G's single "La Policia", which stirred hype throughout the media and the internet.[15]

Personal life

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.[16]

On September 25, 2007, Banner testified before Congress at a hearing about racism and misogyny in hip hop music titled From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images.[17] He defended his use of offensive language and argued: "Change the situation in my neighborhood and maybe I'll get better."[17] 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."[18]

Discography

Main articles: David Banner discography and David Banner production discography

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Black Snake Moan Tehronne
This Christmas Mo
Monk Snake the Assassin (TV) Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Rapper"
2008 Days of Wrath Kryme
Vapors Biz Markie Direct-to-DVD
2010 The Experiment Bosch Direct-to-DVD
The Confidant Daniel Jackson Direct-to-DVD
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming Jay Direct-to-DVD
2013 The Butler Earl Gaines
2014 Ride Along Pawnshop Jay
2015 Carter High School Royce West

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]

References

  1. ^ "Tough Questions for David Banner". Jackson Free Press. May 19, 2003. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  2. ^ Houston, Danielle (August 10, 2006). "David Banner: He's a Business...Man!". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 22, 2008.
  3. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (2003-07-15). "Banner Brings It". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007.
  4. ^ Patel, Joseph (2003-12-04). "David Banner To Send Five Lucky Fans To College". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  5. ^ Davis, Dione (2008-09-23). "David Banner: Man On Fire". HHNLive.com. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  6. ^ a b "David Banner: Can't Tell Me Nothin'". XXL. July 30, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  7. ^ Bottomley, C (July 24, 2003). "David Banner: Mississippi Burning". VH1. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  8. ^ DaRonco, Mike. "Crooked Lettaz: Biography". allmusic. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  9. ^ a b "Interview with Scott Johnson". HitQuarters. 10 Mar 2004. Retrieved 21 Dec 2010.
  10. ^ a b c "David Banner: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  11. ^ "Saints Row Snags David Banner". IGN. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. ^ "The Black Spotlight". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  13. ^ "David Banner - Sex, Drugs & Video Games". DatPiff. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  14. ^ "David Banner's Epic Interview". YouTube. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  15. ^ "T.I. and David Banner Join Kap G For Powerful "La Policia" Remix". The FADER.
  16. ^ "David Banner Speech". WAPT. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  17. ^ a b Abrams, Jim. "House Panel Debates Hip-Hop Lyrics". The Washington Post, September 25, 2011.
  18. ^ Leeds, Jeff (2007-09-26). "Hearing Focuses on Language and Violence in Rap Music". The New York Times.
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