David Banner

With decades of hit music under his belt, rapper David Banner is one of Mississippi’s most remarkable contributions to Southern hip-hop. • Banner graduated from Southern University with a business degree and was working toward a master’s in education before dropping out to pursue music. • In 1995, Banner and rapper Kamikaze formed the duo Crooked Lettaz. They released their debut album, Grey Skies, in 1999. • The duo disbanded in 2000, and Banner delivered his debut solo project, Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1, that same year. • Featuring the hit single “Like a Pimp,” Banner’s 2003 LP Mississippi: The Album hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. • In 2006, the National Black Caucus of the State Legislature presented Banner with a Visionary Award for his work after Hurricane Katrina. • Banner’s 2008 album Greatest Story Ever Told peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, and its explosive lead single, “Get Like Me,” featuring Chris Brown and Young Joc, went gold. • After a lengthy hiatus from music, Banner returned in 2017 with a sage-like persona highlighted by his culturally relevant #TheGodBox, which hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart.