David Banner (name from the lead character of The Incredible Hulk) was born April 11, 1974, as Lavell William Crump in Chicago, Illinois and later moved to Jackson, Mississippi. He is a rapper, record producer, actor, activist, and this week's spotlight artist. His education consists of a degree from Southern University and then after that a masters of education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In 2000 when he went solo with the release of Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1, he had previously been part of the rap duo, which started his career, Crooked Lettaz. Three years later, he had signed to Universal Records and released a number of albums with them: Mississippi: The Album (2003), MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water (2003), Certified (2005), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (2008).
Rapping since 1998, David Banner has worked with many notable artists such as Akon, Chris Brown, 9th Wonder, and Lil Wayne. He has more recently made appearances in films, such as Ride Along and The Butler, as well as a remix of Kap G’s (Mexican American Rapper) song “La Policia” which gained recognition and hype throughout the internet. Still making music today, the artist has previously been recognized for the work he contributed after Hurricane Katrina hit. His work in the Hip Hop community consists of publicly making not of issues in today’s society. In 2007, Banner had testified in front of Congress at a hearing about racism and misogyny in Hip Hop with his opening statement “ 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.”
By Kianna Woods for RAPstation.com
