MISSISSIPPI LEARNING
By Track Lacer
If you haven’t heard of David Banner yet? Don’t worry, you will. Funny thing is, you probably have heard of him before and just not realized. In 1998 he and partner in rhyme Kamikaze shocked the East Coast with a politically conscious album from a most unusual post…JACKSON, MS. Under the moniker “Crooked Lettaz”, David Banner and Kamikaze enjoyed critical acclaim, but little commercial success. Only two years later Banner reappeared with a solo set entitled “Them Firewater Boyz”, which went on to be named MurderDog magazine’s Independent Album of the Year. Set to release his anticipated follow up “Mississippi The Album” with features from Jagged Edge, Too Short, Lil’ Jon & The Eastside Boyz, and the underrated TI, the emcee/producer is as excited about music as he has ever been. Recent production credits for Jim Crow, Trick Daddy, Devin the Dude, Lil’ Flip, and Snoop Dogg has Banner’s name buzzing all over the industry as an accomplished boardsmith that will be in heavy demand in the months to come. I played a game of word association with the recent Atlanta transplant.
TL: Confederate flag on the cover of Lil’ Jon’s album
DB: I look at the confederate flag as something not even worth wiping my s— with. But I would rather racism to be overt so that we can deal with it. As long as they got the b—s to fly that flag in the South that gives me something to fight for.
TL: Soundscan
DB: A way to cheat our people. I’m going through that with distributors now. In what other business (are they) gone pay you what they want to, but they sell ‘em all? If you only gone pay me for CDs that’s registered with Soundscan, then I only want you to sell our records in Soundscan stores!
TL: The music industry
DB: I’m so blessed, brah. To come from where I’ve come from, and be where I am today. Understand that they say I’m one of the top producers, low-key, in the nation right now. And all that started from the front room sitting at the table. I firmly believe that God would not allow you to dream something if it wasn’t able to come true. Why would He be that cruel? To go from not knowing how you gonna eat to Snoop Dogg buying tracks from me, or Trick Daddy calling… It’s just a blessing.
TL: Charlie Braxton
DB: Ummm…I can just say Mississippi. Mentor. He’s the future. A brother. Confidant. Homeboy. Charlie Braxton is the one who believed in us (Crooked Lettaz).
TL: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
DB: Beer!!! Lots of beer!!! Naw, I look at it as anywhere else. Milwaukee is Jackson, MS. Jackson is Chicago. Chicago is Seattle. Our people are hurting everywhere
TL: I gotta get you up here in the studio with me.
DB: I’m wit it!!! You need to get me, now! Cuz pretty soon you won’t be able to catch me! PUB
Special Note - Track Lacer will continue the saga of David Banner in a new exclusive very soon so stay tuned … For more info on David Banner go to www.crookedlettaz.com. Cop the new CD Mississippi: The Album due May 20th, 2003
