David Banner is a rapper, producer, and actor who has been in the game for over two decades. He has a net worth of $12 million, which he earned through his music, movies, and business ventures. In this article, we will take a look at how he started his career, his biggest hits, his film roles, and his current projects.
From Mississippi to the Music Industry
David Banner was born Lavell William Crump on April 11, 1974, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where he developed a passion for music and education. He graduated from Provine High School in 1992 and then attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he majored in business and served as the president of the Student Government Association. He later pursued a master’s degree in education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore but dropped out to focus on his music career.
He adopted his stage name from the character of The Incredible Hulk, a comic book hero who transforms into a powerful green creature when angry. He started his rap career as a member of the duo Crooked Lettaz, along with Kamikaze. They released their debut album, Grey Skies, in 1999, under Penalty Recordings. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans but did not achieve much commercial success.
In 2000, Banner went solo and released his first album, Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1, on an independent label, Big Face Records. The album sold around 7,000 copies and featured guest appearances from Lil Flip, Bun B, Devin the Dude, and others. Banner then signed with SRC Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records, where he released his next four albums: Mississippi: The Album (2003), MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water (2003), Certified (2005), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (2008).
His Biggest Hits and Collaborations
Banner’s breakthrough came in 2003 when he produced and featured on T.I.’s single, “Rubber Band Man”, which became a hit on the Billboard charts and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. He also released his own single, “Like a Pimp”, featuring Lil Flip, which reached the top 10 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and the top 50 on the Hot 100 chart. The song was included on his second album, Mississippi: The Album, which debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 500,000 copies, earning him a gold certification from the RIAA.
His third album, MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water, was released later that year and featured the singles “Crank It Up”, featuring Static Major, and “My Lord”, featuring Sky. The album also debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 300,000 copies. Banner continued his success with his fourth album, Certified, which was released in 2005 and featured the smash hit, “Play”, which peaked at number seven on the Hot 100 chart and number three on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The song was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. The album also included the singles “Ain’t Got Nothing”, featuring Magic and Lil Boosie, and “Touching”, featuring Jazze Pha. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 400,000 copies.
His fifth and most recent album, The Greatest Story Ever Told, was released in 2008 and featured the singles “Get Like Me”, featuring Chris Brown and Yung Joc, which reached number two on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and number 16 on the Hot 100 chart, and “9mm/Speaker”, featuring Akon, Lil Wayne, and Snoop Dogg, which reached number 15 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and number 52 on the Hot 100 chart. The album also featured guest appearances from Kandi, UGK, Carl Thomas, and others. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 200,000 copies.
Besides his albums, Banner has also produced and collaborated with many other artists, such as Ludacris, Nelly, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and more. He has also released several mixtapes, such as Mississippi: The Screwed and Chopped Album (2003), The God Box (2017), and Before the Box (2018).
His Film and TV Roles
Banner is not only a rapper and producer but also an actor. He made his film debut in 2006, when he starred in Black Snake Moan, alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. He played Tehronne, a local troublemaker who harasses Ricci’s character. He also appeared in the film Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, in 2010, where he played Jay, the leader of a rival fraternity. He also had roles in the films The Butler (2013), where he played Earl Gaines, the father of Forest Whitaker’s character, and Ride Along (2014), where he played Pawn Shop Jay, a criminal who confronts Kevin Hart’s character.
He has also appeared on several TV shows, such as CSI: NY, where he played a rapper named Korey, The Game, where he played himself, and Saints & Sinners, where he played Pastor Darryl Greene. He also voiced the character of Big Donut in the animated series Teen Titans Go!
His Current Projects and Ventures
Banner is still active in the music and entertainment industry, as well as in other fields. He is currently working on his sixth studio album, which he has been teasing for years. He has also launched his own multimedia company, A Banner Vision, which produces music, films, and podcasts. He also hosts his podcast, The David Banner Podcast, where he discusses various topics, such as politics, culture, spirituality, and more.
Banner is also involved in social activism and philanthropy. He has spoken out against racism, police brutality, and injustice, and has participated in protests and rallies. He has also donated money and resources to various causes, such as Hurricane Katrina relief, Black Lives Matter, and education. He has also received several awards and honors for his work, such as the Visionary Award from the National Black Caucus of the State Legislature in 2006, and the Heal the Hood Humanitarian Award from the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus in 2007.
Conclusion
David Banner is a multi-talented artist who has made a name for himself in the rap game and beyond. He has a net worth of $12 million, which he earned through his music, movies, and business ventures. He is also a social activist and philanthropist who uses his platform to raise awareness and help others. He is one of the most influential and respected figures in the hip-hop culture and the entertainment industry. He is truly a legend and a role model for many.
