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For David Banner there is
no alternative. The
ambitious rap trailblazer continues to represent
his beloved Mississippi with a pride and ferocity
that has made the rapper/producer one of hip-hop's
most intriguing and in-demand talents. Who
would have guessed that a troubled yet energetic
kid from Jackson, Mississippi would single-handedly
carry a depressed state known as the epitome
of Southern racism and poverty into a respected
source of hip hop music? Who would have
bet that Banner would storm the Billboard album
charts with his gold- certified 2003
major label debut Mississippi-The Album (SRC)
and critically hailed follow-up MTA2: Baptized
in Dirty Water? Most recently David Banner has
witnessed his stock rise as a much sought after
track master, crafting high profile gems for
the multi-platinum likes of T.I. ("Rubber
Band Man"), and Nelly ("E.I.-
The Tipdrill Remix").
Indeed, Mr. Mississippi has gone beyond his credentials as one of the new breed
leaders of the Southern hip-hop movement to becoming a multi-faceted force to
be reckoned with. Banner's culmination as an influential powerbroker
in the music industry can be heard throughout on his third release Certified . This
set finds the gruff-voiced visionary expanding on his potent mix of street anthems
and politically charged rebel music. But even more noteworthy is Banner's
willingness to collaborate with a wide range of rap artists that include standouts Twista,
Jadakiss,Talib Kweli, and dead prez as well as fellow superstar producers Mr.
Colli Park (DJ Smurf), Lil' Jon, and Jazze Pha. It was a direction that
came naturally for Banner .
"The thing is, I am a fan of all rap music," says the Mississippi native
son, whose previous collaboration with Houston spitter Lil' Flip on "Like
A Pimp" became an across-the-board soundtrack for the streets, clubs and
radio. "So I said, 'let me put together what I think is the best album
that a rap fan has heard in a long time.' I got a little bit of in-your-face
with Lil' Jon and a little bit of in-your-mind with dead prez. And it's
an incredible mix."
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