David Banner
David Banner | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Lavell William Crump |
Born | Brookhaven, Mississippi, U.S. | April 11, 1974
Origin | Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
Alma mater | Southern University (BS) |
Genres | |
Member of | |
Website | davidbanner |
Lavell William Crump (born April 11, 1974), better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor.[1]
Born in
Banner is also a noted producer, having produced music for himself,
Early life
Lavell William Crump was born in Brookhaven and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, the elder son of Zeno Crump Jr., Jackson district fire chief,[2][3] and Carolyn Crump. He graduated from Provine High School in Jackson in 1992 and then attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, his mother's alma mater.[4][5] At Southern University, Crump served as president of the Student Government Association and received a bachelor's degree in business.[6] He later 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.[7][8][9]
Music career
1995–2000: 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.[10] With several of his friends, Banner sent some demo tapes to Jackson, Mississippi radio station, WJMI. Celebrity Manager Glenn Sweety G Toby discovered the group and signed them to Neil Levine at Penalty Records. In 1999, Banner and rapper Kamikaze as the duo, Crooked Lettaz, released Grey Skies (Penalty Recordings).[11] 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.[3]
2003–2006: Mississippi: The Album, MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water and Certified
After assessing various offers, Banner and manager, Scott Johnson, decided to sign with
In 2005, Banner released his third major label album,
2007–present: The Greatest Story Ever Told and The God Box
Banner appeared on the
In 2010, he played Bosch in the film
In 2013, Banner appeared in the music video for the song
Humanitarian and political work
In November 2006, Banner was awarded a Visionary Award by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators in Jackson, Mississippi in recognition of his humanitarian work in response to Hurricane Katrina.[19][20] 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.[21] He defended his use of offensive language and argued: "Change the situation in my neighborhood and maybe I'll get better."[21] 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."[22]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 (2000)
- Mississippi: The Album (2003)
- MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water (2003)
- Certified (2005)
- The Greatest Story Ever Told (2008)
- #TheGodBox (2017)
- Collaborative albums
- Death of a Pop Star (with 9th Wonder) (2010)
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Def Jam: Fight for NY | Himself | Video game |
2005 | Twisted Transistor by Korn | David Silveria | Music Video |
2006 | Def Jam: Fight for NY – The Takeover | Himself | Video game |
Black Snake Moan | Tehronne | ||
2007 | 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: Homecoming | Jay | Direct to video | |
2013 | The Butler | Earl Gaines | |
2014 | Ride Along | Pawnshop Jay | |
Flight 7500 | Tom Anders | ||
2015 | Carter High School | Royce West | |
2017–2022 | Saints & Sinners | Darryl Greene | |
2018 | Never Heard | Aaron Davis | Netflix film |
2019 | Empire | Philly Street | |
2024 | The Family Business: New Orleans | Jean LeBlanc | Series regular |
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
- ^ "Biography". davidbanner.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ "Zeno Crump Jr". June 21, 2007.
- ^ a b "David Banner: Can't Tell Me Nothin'". XXL. July 30, 2007. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
- ^ Watkins, Billy (June 16, 2003). "Provine grad scores big!". The Clarion-Ledger. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012.
- ^ "Tough Questions for David Banner". Jackson Free Press. May 19, 2003. Archived from the original on October 1, 2003. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ Houston, Danielle (August 10, 2006). "David Banner: He's a Business...Man!". Vibe. Archived from the original on April 22, 2008.
- ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (July 15, 2003). "Banner Brings It". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007.
- ^ Patel, Joseph (December 4, 2003). "David Banner To Send Five Lucky Fans To College". MTV News. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ Davis, Dione (September 23, 2008). "David Banner: Man On Fire". HHNLive.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ Bottomley, C (July 24, 2003). "David Banner: Mississippi Burning". VH1. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
- ^ DaRonco, Mike. "Crooked Lettaz: Biography". allmusic. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
- ^ "Interview with Scott Johnson". HitQuarters. March 10, 2004. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ a b c "David Banner: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
- ^ "Saints Row Snags David Banner". IGN. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "The Black Spotlight". Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "David Banner – Sex, Drugs & Video Games". DatPiff. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "David Banner's Epic Interview". YouTube. April 9, 2012. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "T.I. and David Banner Join Kap G For Powerful "La Policia" Remix". The FADER.
- ^ "David Banner Speech". WAPT. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ National Black Caucus Honors David Banner For His Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts With Humanitarian Award November 2006
- ^ a b Abrams, Jim. "House Panel Debates Hip-Hop Lyrics". The Washington Post, September 25, 2011.
- ^ Leeds, Jeff (September 26, 2007). "Hearing Focuses on Language and Violence in Rap Music". The New York Times.