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Levell Crump, better known by the stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, occasional actor, record producer, record label executive, and philanthropist. His stage name is taken from the lead character of the 1970s and 1980s CBS television series The Incredible Hulk.²³

Biography

Early life

Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He attended Northwest Jackson Middle School. He is a graduate of Provine High School in Jackson and of Southern University in Baton Rogue, LA. At Southern University, he served as president of the Student Government Association.⁴

Music career

Banner released his first commercial album in 2003, Mississippi: The Album, yielding the hit single, "Like a Pimp", featuring Lil Flip. He released the follow-up album the same year called MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water, yielding "Crank It Up", featuring Static Major.

In 2005, he released another album, Certified. His first single is "Ain't Got Nothing", featuring Magic & Lil Boosie, followed by his second single, "Play". The third single is "Touching", featuring Jazze Pha.

On July 15, 2008, Banner released his fifth studio album, The Greatest Story Ever Told.⁵ His first single is "9mm", featuring Akon, Lil Wayne, & Snoop Dogg. His second single "Get Like Me", featuring Chris Brown & Yung Joc, earned a huge amount of airplay. The third single is "Shawty Say", featuring Lil Wayne.

He is also the creator of the main theme to the game Saints Row.⁶ He Also Has Worked With Gospel Duo Mary Mary in Superfriend.

Film career

Banner played the part of Tehronne in Black Snake Moan. He has also 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.

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. This move was criticized by white liberals within the state, as well as some civil rights leaders, who Banner has accused of failing to adequately aid Mississippi.⁷

On September 25, 2007, David Banner testified in front of Congress at a hearing about African American Media Stereotypes,⁸ which was aired nationally on C-SPAN2. He spoke about his lyrics and whether or not they were appropriate or stereotypical. He argued that his lyrics explain the pain blacks go through. In his opening statement, Banner was applauded by several in attendance for saying, "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."

Discography

• 2000: Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1
• 2003: Mississippi: The Album
• 2003: MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water
• 2005: Certified
• 2008: The Greatest Story Ever Told
• 2009: Channel 3

Filmography

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

External links

• David Banner official site
• David Banner at MySpace