David Banner Mta2: Baptized In Dirty Water CD

Personnel: David Banner, Busta Rhymes, Bone Crusher, 8-Ball, Lil' Flip, Nelly, Scarface, Lil' Flip, Devin The Dude, Twista, Sky, Static (rap vocals).
Producers include: David Banner, Young Sears, Domo, Mannie Fresh, Syber Sapp.
This is an example of Southern Rap "screwed" mix style.
Personnel: David Banner, Busta Rhymes, Bone Crusher, 8-Ball, Lil' Flip, Nelly, Scarface, Lil' Flip, Devin The Dude, Twista, Sky, Static (rap vocals).
Producers include: David Banner, Young Sears, Domo, Mannie Fresh, Syber Sapp.
Returning quickly in case hip-hop fans might forget him (not likely), David Banner's sequel to Mississippi: The Album has the productions and the beats to match the original, plus a long parade of diverse featured rappers that prove two things: Banner's beginning to move up in the rap world, and he risks wasting his considerable power striving for the mainstream. Mostly MTA2 capitalizes on the Banner phenomenon, flaunting a distinctive, nearly schizophrenic viewpoint that finds him playing the baller on one track and questioning that life on the next. And his production style remains one of the most intriguing in the crunk side of rap, led by "Talk to Me" (featuring Lil' Flip) and its twisted modem-disconnect noise for a hook. A remix of "Like a Pimp" is a likely hit as well -- though the production only barely improves on the original, it hardly needs to, with new guests Twista and Busta Rhymes stretching the usual crunk stumble into a lyrical marathon with every line. The long line of guest spots, however, tends to dilute the record's power. "Pretty Pink" (featuring Jazze Pha, T.I., and Marcus) works well and "Pop That" is an exercise in OutKast boundary-stretching, but features for Scarface ("The Game") and Devin the Dude ("Gots to Go") descend into the type of bland genre exercise that Banner would've easily exploded on his debut. Just like the first, MTA2 has two sure-fire hits and an assortment of tracks that illustrate Banner's not just the best rap artist in Mississippi, he's becoming one of the finest in the South. ~ John Bush
In its mix of casual violence and streetwise social analysis, David Banner's second album of 2003 is more or less a direct successor to his sophomore effort, MISSISSIPPI: THE ALBUM. What sets Banner apart from his contemporaries on the East and West coasts is a bedrock sense of rhythm with roots that stretch back to early-20th century Mississippi chain gangs and field workers. This link to history proves to be a vital force that propels his message and informs his hardcore imagery.
Of course, there are high-profile assists from Southern neighbor Nelly and the New York rapper/toaster Busta Rhymes, but BAPTIZED IN DIRTY WATER is unquestionably Banner's show. Tracks such as "Eternal" and "My Lord" point up the connection between Banner's gruff vocals and violent lyrics and the lurid imagery used by Southern Baptist preachers to put the fear of God into their congregations. Perhaps it's because his roots run deeper, but with BAPTIZED IN DIRTY WATER, the street gospel according to David Banner rings truer than the drugs, girls, and guns-based material of many of his peers.Rolling Stone (2/5/04, p.57) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Banner's chafing growl still rules the roost....[He sings] the Delta blues 2004-style."
Entertainment Weekly (1/16/04, p.71) - "His Marlboro-scorched bark balances belligerence with sensitive sentiments, while the sketetal beats create a Southern gothic-goes-crunk vibe..." - Rating: B+