David Banner

Lavell William Crump (born April 11, 1974), known professionally as David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and activist. Banner was raised in Jackson, Mississippi. Banner graduated from Southern University with a bachelor's degree, then attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore to pursue a master's. 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. 1. 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. As an actor, Banner appeared in the films Black Snake Moan (2006), This Christmas (2007), The Butler (2013), and Ride Along (2014), as well as the television series Empire, Saints & Sinners, and The Family Business: New Orleans.