David Banner Takes Back His Culture On “The God Box” [Video]

David Banner came bearing gifts on Sway in the Morning as we discussed his long awaited album The God Box. The Mississippi legend explains that the project is more than a list of jams, but rather an art exhibit. “Every song on the album has a cover to represent what the album means.” Banner takes us on a trip of black consciousness with his latest release. The 15-track project features guest appearances from CeeLo Green, Big K.R.I.T. Trinidad James and more. The rapper breaks down some of our favorite lyrics and gets into the meaning behind The God Box. “If people use the components that [are] in the box, it can truly help change their life . . . This is what I’ve been most proud of in my whole entire career.” Banner had been working on this effort for six years and it’s evident that he put his heart and soul into it.

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David Banner -The God Box [Album Stream]

David Banner is a name that needs no introduction in most rap circles, in the early 2000’s Banner stormed the scene from his home state of Mississippi – where no rappers had traditionally come from before him. He touted himself as not only a ferocious rapper, but also a producer – self-producing most of his work, as well as work for others (T.I., Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Maroon 5, Chris Brown and many others), including, “Like a Pimp” and T.I.’s hit, “Rubberband Man”. It quickly became apparent that Banner was a force to be reckoned with; especially when it came out that he was a few credits short of receiving his Master’s Degree in Education. Since then, Banner has gone on to star in major motion pictures (Black Snake Moan, Stomp The Yard, The Butler, Ride Along among others), release music, produce for others, and also start a new career as a keynote speaker. It has been seven years since David Banner released an album (Death Of A Pop Star with 9th Wonder), which was done by design. He took his time to create The God Box, as he was fueled by the people he encountered on his speaking tours, he wanted to create something that spoke to the experience that black men have in this country – decidedly political, potentially even antagonistic, but that’s Banner’s style. He has never been one to let his thoughts or ideas sit idle. When asked what The God Box is Banner states

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Rhythm Roulette w/ David Banner [Video]

This latest installment of Rhythm Roulette is a special one. Not only did we get to hook up with Mississippi’s own David Banner for a blindfolded spin through Atlanta’s Wax N Facts and follow-up session out at Tree Sound Studios, this episode also documents the making of the first Rhythm Roulette record to ever become an official release. You read that right. After Banner pulled a few GEMS out of the bins—Chicago’s VII, Gladys Knight & the Pips’ About Love and the Meters’ Cabbage Alley—and broke out the sage, we should have known right then and there that Banner was going to cook up some marvelous shit. Building on the back of Chicago’s “Call on Me,” Banner and crew— former Rhythm Roulette participant Gensu Dean, Burroughs and Tricky LT 45—flipped the soft rock cut’s hook and horn stabs to deliver a smooth new payday anthem full of Southern soul. The resulting track, “Paper,” is out now on Mass Appeal Records and available on iTunes, Apple Music and Soundcloud. “That is what hip hop is supposed to be about,” Banner said about the Rhythm Roulette series and the session. “We couldn’t afford a bass player. We couldn’t afford a guitar player. We couldn’t get studio time like that. That’s what sampling was about. Opening up opportunities to people who don’t have them.” Shout out to David Banner for not only braving the blindfold and accepting the challenge, but for stepping up and delivering in a major way. Watch the session above

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