David Banner American rapper, music producer and actor Date of Birth: 11.04.1973 Country: USA

Biography of David Banner

David Banner, born Lavell Crump on April 11, 1973, in Jackson, Mississippi, is an American rapper, music producer, and actor. He is also known by his stage name Mr. Mississippi.

Early Life and Education
David Banner was born to Zeno Crump and Carolyn Crump. He grew up in a neighborhood called Queens in Jackson, Mississippi. After completing high school, he attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a historically black university. His mother had also studied at the same university. Banner was the president of the Student Government Association during his college years and obtained a bachelor's degree in business. He later enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park, with the intention of pursuing a master's degree in education. However, he dropped out to pursue his music career.

Music Career
David Banner's stage name was inspired by the main character of the television series "The Incredible Hulk." Alongside a couple of friends, Banner submitted several demo tapes to the radio station WJMI in Jackson. Impressed by their talent, the station manager recognized their potential. In 1999, he formed a duo with rapper Kamikaze, and in April of the same year, they released their first and only album, "Grey Skies," consisting of 17 tracks. In August 2000, David released his debut solo album, "Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1," which sold approximately 7,000 copies. The single "Like a Pimp" became a hit on the radio, attracting the attention of major record labels. After evaluating various offers, Banner and his manager Scott Johnson decided to sign a contract with Universal Records, impressed by the successful work of Steve Rifkind, the CEO of Loud Records. Throughout his career, David Banner released four albums on Universal Records: "Mississippi: The Album" (2003), "MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water" (2004), "Certified" (2005), and "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (2008). His upcoming album, "MTA3: The Trinity Movement," is expected to be released in 2011.

Acting Career
Aside from his music career, David Banner has also ventured into acting. He played the role of Tehronne, a criminal, in the drama film "Black Snake Moan" (2006) alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. He worked on the animated show "That Crook'd 'Sipp" on Adult Swim, which premiered in May 2007. One of his singles, "Play," was featured as the soundtrack in the pilot episode's promo. In 2007, he portrayed the character Mo in the comedy film "This Christmas." He also played Jay, the leader of one of the dance crews, in the sequel "Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming" (2010) and Bosch, a security guard trying to help a dying insulin-dependent inmate, in the psychological thriller "The Experiment" (2010) alongside Adrien Brody. Additionally, Banner had guest appearances in the television series "Monk" and appeared in films such as "Days of Wrath" (2008) and "The Confidant" (2010), where he had one of the leading roles. Several of his songs have been featured in various movies and TV shows, including the popular "One Tree Hill." In November 2006, Banner received the Visionary Award in recognition of his contributions after Hurricane Katrina.

Overall, David Banner has achieved success as a rapper, music producer, and actor. He continues to make an impact in the music industry and expand his presence in the world of acting.