David Banner

Lavell William Crump (born April 11, 1974), known professionally as David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and activist.

Banner was raised in Jackson, Mississippi. Banner graduated from Southern University with a bachelor's degree, then attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore to pursue a master's. 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, where he released four albums: Mississippi: The Album (2003), MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water (2003), Certified (2005), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (2008). He is also a noted producer, having produced music for himself, Trick Daddy, T.I., Lil Boosie and Lil Wayne, among others. As an actor, Banner appeared in the films Black Snake Moan (2006), This Christmas (2007), The Butler (2013), and Ride Along (2014), as well as the television series Empire, Saints & Sinners, and The Family Business: New Orleans.

Early life Lavell William Crump was raised in Jackson, the elder son of Zeno Crump Jr., Jackson district fire chief, At Southern University, Crump served as president of the Student Government Association and received a bachelor's degree in business. 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.

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. With several of his friends, Banner sent some demo tapes to Jackson, Mississippi radio station, WJMI. Record executive Glenn 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). 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.

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 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. In 2003, Banner produced T.I.'s single, "Rubber Band Man", which reached No. 30 on the Hot 100, No. 15 on the R&B chart, and No. 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 No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, No. 15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 10 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. 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 No. 7 on the Hot 100 chart, No. 5 on the R&B chart, and No. 3 on the Rap chart. Banner played the part of Tehronne in Black Snake Moan (2006).

2007–present: The Greatest Story Ever Told and The God Box Banner appeared on the Adult Swim pilot That Crook'd 'Sipp, which premiered on May 13, 2007. His single "Play" was used as the background music in the pilot's first television promo. That same year, he played the character of Mo, in the film This Christmas. On July 15, 2008, Banner released his fourth major label album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. 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, 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. 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, Banner appeared in the music video for the song Confessions 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.

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. 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. He defended his use of offensive language and argued: "Change the situation in my neighborhood and maybe I'll get better."

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 (2010)

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2006 Black Snake Moan Tehronne 2007 This Christmas "Mo" 2008 Days of Wrath "Kryme" 2010 Stomp the Yard: Homecoming Jay The Experiment Bosch The Confidant Daniel Jackson 2013 The Butler Earl Gaines A Christmas Blessing Charles TV movie 2014 Ride Along Jay Where's the Love? Sidney TV movie Flight 7500 Co-Pilot Tom Anders 2015 Carter High School Royce West 2016 The Last Punch Bundini 2018 Babes With Blades Supporting Artist Never Heard Aaron Davis 2021 Saints & Sinners: Judgement Day Darryl Greene TV movie 2024 Finding Tony Terrace Daniel

Television Year Title Role Notes 2007 Monk "Snake", The Assassin Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Rapper" 2012 The Ropes Himself Episode: "Ralphie's Way" 2013 Walking with Gods Alex Main Cast 2016–2018 Saints & Sinners Pastor Darryl Greene Recurring Cast: Season 1–3 2019–2020 Empire Philly Street Recurring Cast: Season 6 2024 Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist "Missouri Slim" Recurring Cast 2025 The Family Business: New Orleans Jean LeBlanc Main Cast The Equalizer Security Guard Episode: "Taken"

Music videos Year Song Artist Role 2004 "Rubber Band Man" T.I. Himself "Let Me In" Young Buck featuring 50 Cent Himself 2005 "Sunshine to the Rain" Miri Ben-Ari featuring Scarface & Anthony Hamilton "Twisted Transistor" Korn David Silveria 2009 "Respect My Conglomerate" Busta Rhymes featuring Jadakiss & Lil Wayne Himself 2019 "Steady Love" India Arie Himself 2008 "Cool" Anthony Hamilton Himself 2006 "Dem Jeans Chingy featuring Jermaine Dupri Himself

Video games Year Title Role 2004 Def Jam: Fight for NY Himself (voice) 2006 Def Jam: Fight for NY – The Takeover

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]