David Banner Mississippi: The Album CD

On his sophomore disc MISSISSIPPI: THE ALBUM, southern-centric hip-hopper David Banner delivers a fascinating mix of straight-up hardcore gangsta rap and politicized soul music in the vein of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Like Marvel Comics superhero the Hulk, whose alter ego provides the artist's pseudonym, Banner is one scary looking character, and his rapping style is as gruff, threatening, and hyper-aggressive as his appearance might suggest.

Marrying his horrific lyrical scenarios to samples that often sound like low-budget slasher flick music or the WILD WORLD OF SPORTS theme gone astray, Banner puts the sex and violence right up front for all to see. Then, just as the listener thinks it's all been said before, the album switches gears, adopting a reflective, socially aware tone right out of WHAT'S GOIN' ON. Unlike most of his contemporaries, Banner isn't content to merely describe the societal ills he sees around him--he actually questions the motivations behind the problems. An ambitious project in what is too often a one-dimensional genre, MISSISSIPPI: THE ALBUM suggests that gangsta rap has the potential to offer more than simply a play-by-play account of urban culture's darkest moments.

Includes an untitled hidden track following "Outro".

Parental Advisory.Fr.The Band, Crooked Lettaz

Personnel: David Banner (rap vocals, keyboards, programming); Smoke D, Lil' Jon, Lil' Flip, Pastor Troy, Ax, Sky, B-Flat, Marcus, Fiend, J Da Groover, Mississippi Shawty, Kamikaze (rap vocals); Billy Hume (guitar, bass); Patrick Hayes, Zafar S. Saood, Freddie Mac (guitar); L. Roc (strings, percussion); Horns Unlimited (horns); Robert MacDowell (keyboards); Bone Crusher (background vocals).

Producers include: David Banner, KLC, Lil' Jon, Mixzo, Billy Hume.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Rolling Stone (12/25/03, p.104) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2003" - "This gruff-voiced rapper brought his Delta drawl to the big time this year, with a forward-looking mix of crunk high jinks and sweet soul..."
Rolling Stone (12/25/03, p.104) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2003" - "This gruff-voiced rapper brought his Delta drawl to the big time this year, with a forward-looking mix of crunk high jinks and sweet soul..."
Spin (7/03, p.110) - "...He's an unhinged pseudo-pimp a with raspy, shake-ya-ass bark..." - Grade: B+
Spin (7/03, p.110) - "...He's an unhinged pseudo-pimp with a raspy, shake-ya-ass bark..." - Grade: B+
The Source (6/03, pp.126-8) - 4 out of 5 - "...Reminiscent of the Last Poets with his abrasive language, unapologetic rants and underlying enlightenment, Banner uses his powerful tenor to spoonfeed the masses..."
The Source (6/03, pp.126-8) - 4 out of 5 - "...Reminiscent of the Last Poets with his abrasive language, unapologetic rants and underlying enlightenment, Banner uses his powerful tenor to spoonfeed the masses..."