David Banner

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. 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.

• Name — David Banner • Birth Name — Lavell William Crump • Born — 11 April 1974 • Origin — Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. • Genre — Southern hip-hop • Occupation — * Rapper • songwriter • record producer • actor • activist • Years Active — 1994–present • Label — * A Banner Vision • eOne • Universal • SRC • Big Face • Past Member Of — * Crooked Lettaz • Website — davidbanner.com

Lavell William Crump was raised in Jackson, the elder son of Zeno Crump Jr., Jackson district fire chief, 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. 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.

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.

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. The third single, "Touching", featured Jazze Pha and reached No. 54 on the R&B chart. In 2006, Banner appeared on "Seein' Thangs", a song about Hurricane Katrina featured on DJ Shadow's album "The Outsider". A remix featuring Bay Area hyphy rappers Nump and Gold also was made. Outside projects for Banner have included writing the theme song to the video game, Saints Row, as well as contributing to the music for a commercial promoting the video game, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. Banner played the part of Tehronne in Black Snake Moan (2006).

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, and "Shawty Say", featuring Lil Wayne. "Get Like Me" reached No. 16 on the Hot 100, No. 7 on the R&B chart, and No. 2 on the Rap chart. In 2008, Banner was featured on the track Superfriend, from the 2008 album, The Sound, by gospel R&B duo Mary Mary. • Illustration — Banner in 2009 In 2010, he played Bosch in the film The Experiment and as Jay, a gang leader from the hood in Stomp the Yard: Homecoming. He has also worked with international artists such as Seeda, a Japanese Rap Artist where he was featured in the song, Life Song in 2010 on Seeda's Breathe Album. Banner released his debut mixtape titled Sex, Drugs and Video Games on May 22, 2012, as a free download. 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.

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." 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."

• 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"

• 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

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

David Banner is recorded with the occupation record producer. Classed in the genre hardcore hip-hop. Classed in the genre Southern hip-hop. Classed in the genre gangsta rap. Classed in the genre dirty south. Classed in the genre crunk. Recorded as having studied at Southern University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Provine High School.