Prior to having a solo career, Banner was part of the rap duo Crooked Lettaz which released an album called Grey Skies in 1999. Banner then released his first solo album called Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 in 2000. The album managed to sell over 10,000 copies in his hometown alone despite having little record label backing.
David Banner is well known for his many contributions to his local community of Jackson, Mississippi as well as Mississippi and the entire Gulf Coast region. In Jackson he has volunteered with such community organizations as Stewpot Ministries. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 he started the non-profit organization Heal the Hood which provided a range of services to victims of Hurricane Katrina ranging from reuniting family members separated by the storm to dispensing food to the various devestated communities of the Gulf Coast. A large benefit concert for Heal the Hood was held on September 17, 2005 at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The concert had performances from myriad recording artists, mostly from Atlanta, from Lil Jon to 112, Busta Rhymes to Lyfe Jennings. He was also involved in similar benefit concerts in Mississippi and New York.
In addition to these efforts Banner has given tens of thousands of dollars to college scholarships for minorities.
His first major-label album, Mississippi: The Album, went gold and was a critical and commercial success[citation needed], largely due to the success of lead single, "Like A Pimp", as well as more introspective album tracks such as "Cadillac's On 22's" and "Mississippi." The following album, MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water, was completed in two weeks at the behest of SRC executive Steve Rifkind. His fourth album, Certified was released on September 20, 2005, after repeated delays.
He is currently remains signed to SRC.
Other than rapping, Banner is a producer and has produced for artists like T.I., Chingy, and Nelly among others. He is currently working with new artist Marcus, who was discovered by Banner. Banner says he was inspired to become a producer when, as a newcomer to the rap scene, he couldn't afford to buy beats and had to create his own.
Banner's most popular single, "Play", has caused some controversy for its very explicit lyrics. Its main chorus describes Banner's desire to make women "come." He also mentions having sex "until their pussy aches" and "making the bed break." Despite these controversies, "Play" still received much airplay on Top 40 and Rap/R&B radio stations, and on music video channels like MTV, though the lyrics are changed significantly for the airplay version. His next single "Touching" featuring fellow producer Jazze Pha made some airplay.
Banner graduated from John W. Provine High School in Jackson, MS and is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While there, he served as president of the Student Government Association. He also has a Master's Degree which he says he obtained while at times being homeless.
Bloody War
David Banner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish I had my pistol.
Miggas, think the south is a fad nigga.
I went back and picked up my nigga B.G.
We gon crank this mug.
Soutside motherfucker!!!!
Chorus
What you think these bullets and all these guns made for? (made for)
Bloody War! Bloody, bloody war! (war)
What you think these bullets and all these guns made for?
(B.G.)
They made to bust with em (bust wit em,) they made to bang with em (bang with em,)
If you trippin, they made to knock out your brains with em.
They made to bust with em (bust wit em,) they made to bang with em (bang with em,)
If you trippin, they made to knock out your brains with em.
Verse 1
(David Banner)
I'm hittin you bitches,
With choppas, running from helicopters and duckin the feds,
Thirsting for blood, ready for war, I'm wanting you dead.
I want that nigga to come that shit, so I can get it back and go beat that bitch.
Teach that snitch, about that south; the place where we woulda putta bullet in your mouth.
Take your doe, take your cash, and let the grim reaper come and take your ass,
Imma slow it down cause I'm goin to fast, Imma slow it down to fast.
This the last time that I'm gonna remind you niggas, Imma cock back and put a hot dime in you niggas.
That's ten shots, ten pops from a fucking glock, I wanted peace, but now my piece is clearing out the block.
Knock, Knock. Who is it? Bitch, call me David Ban.
The man with a plan to put your ass in some land.
Bitch!!!
Chorus
Verse 2
(B.G.)
Nigga, where I'm from,
All we do is kill and hustle,
If you come slippin without that pistol, you in trouble.
I'd insult niggas, on a block that got they're stash took,
The niggas who took it turned around and got his ass busted.
I'm out here, half the time I don't sleep.
How Imma sleep when I'm in the streets and I got beef.
On my block it's war; we live like we in Pakistan,
I got the mac in my pants, and I got crack in my hands.
I give it how you want it; I take it how it come.
They say you live by the gun, and you die by the gun
I been a little soldier; I been a little beast.
I'm even wilder, I got Soldier Slim livin through me.
Chorus
Verse 3
(David Banner)
When I pray, I don't know what to say.
Just beg to the Lord to let me see another day.
A AK totter, 1st quarter, 50 through *****
Sweat on my palms, bomb ass weedwill keep me calm.
Strap on my arm, the streets is feeling like Vietnam,
Murdering Uncle Toms, I'm crunk like I'm Lil' John
Imma wizard waving a wand, your bodies up in my palm
If you kill me flex, hit the block and go take care of my moms nigga.
(B.G.)
My mom ashamed of me, I'm in the game now.
I tell her momma don't trip, it's too late to change now.
I'm on the block with it, I'm in the club with it.
Wherever you catch me at I'm ready to bust with it.
Chorus
The lyrics of David Banner's "Bloody War" paint a vivid picture of the grim realities of life in the streets, particularly in the South. The artist laments the need for firearms: "What you think these bullets and all these guns made for?" He paints a picture of himself "running from helicopters and ducking the feds" while "hitting bitches with choppers." Meanwhile, B.G. adds a sense of nihilism, declaring that violence is the only way: "They made to bust with em... If you trippin, they made to knock out your brains with em." Banner and B.G. both portray themselves as hardened veterans of the street, with Banner referring to himself as a "wizard waving a wand" and B.G. declaring that he is "wilder" and that he carries on the legacy of the deceased rapper Soldier Slim.
The repeated refrain of "bloody war" underscores the song's message: life is violent and unforgiving in the world that Banner and B.G. inhabit. They are convinced that they must be as ruthless and merciless as their enemies if they are to survive. Banner admits that he has no real escape from this world: even when he prays, he's not sure what to say. B.G. seems resigned to his fate, stating that "they say you live by the gun, and you die by the gun." "Bloody War" is a bleak, uncompromising tribute to the brutal world of the streets, where survival often requires making ruthless choices.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I had my pistol.
I'm feeling threatened or unsafe and wish I had a weapon to defend myself.
Miggas, think the south is a fad nigga.
People underestimate or disrespect the southern way of life and culture.
I went back and picked up my nigga B.G.
I reconnected with my friend B.G. and we are ready to take action together.
We gon crank this mug.
We are going to start something up, get it going.
Bloody War! Bloody, bloody war!
This is a call to arms for violence and warfare.
What you think these bullets and all these guns made for? (made for)
Weapons are created for the sole purpose of hurting or killing others.
They made to bust with em (bust wit em,) they made to bang with em (bang with em,)
Guns are meant to be fired and used to harm others.
If you trippin, they made to knock out your brains with em.
If someone is causing problems or disrespecting us, we are ready to use our weapons to silence them.
I'm hittin you bitches,
I am targeting and attacking my enemies.
With choppas, running from helicopters and duckin the feds,
I am using long-range automatic weapons while evading authorities.
Thirsting for blood, ready for war, I'm wanting you dead.
I am craving violence and bloodshed and have a desire to kill my enemies.
I want that nigga to come that shit, so I can get it back and go beat that bitch.
I want my enemies to confront me so I can retaliate and physically harm or intimidate them.
Teach that snitch, about that south; the place where we woulda putta bullet in your mouth.
I will educate and intimidate anyone who acts as a snitch or traitor to our southern community.
Take your doe, take your cash, and let the grim reaper come and take your ass,
I will rob and take everything from my enemies before killing them.
Imma slow it down cause I'm goin to fast, Imma slow it down to fast.
I need to take a step back and calm down because I am getting too caught up in my violent desires.
This the last time that I'm gonna remind you niggas, Imma cock back and put a hot dime in you niggas.
I will warn my enemies one last time before shooting them with a ten-round magazine.
That's ten shots, ten pops from a fucking glock, I wanted peace, but now my piece is clearing out the block.
I have a weapon with a capacity of ten bullets and will use it to get rid of anyone in my way.
Knock, Knock. Who is it? Bitch, call me David Ban.
I am introducing myself as David Ban, a dangerous and intimidating figure to be reckoned with.
The man with a plan to put your ass in some land.
I have a plan to kill or injure you and bury your body in the ground.
Nigga, where I'm from,
I come from a place where violence and crime are common.
All we do is kill and hustle,
Our community is focused on making money through illegal and violent means.
If you come slippin without that pistol, you in trouble.
If you are caught without a weapon, you will be vulnerable to attack.
I'd insult niggas, on a block that got they're stash took,
I would taunt and provoke anyone involved with stolen drugs and money.
The niggas who took it turned around and got his ass busted.
Those who stole the drugs and money were eventually caught and harmed by their enemies.
I'm out here, half the time I don't sleep.
I spend most of my time outside, constantly on the move and alert for threats.
How Imma sleep when I'm in the streets and I got beef.
It is impossible for me to rest when I am always in danger and have conflicts with others.
On my block it's war; we live like we in Pakistan,
My neighborhood is like a warzone, with constant violence and chaos.
I got the mac in my pants, and I got crack in my hands.
I am carrying a Mac-10 machine gun and drugs to sell and profit from.
I give it how you want it; I take it how it come.
I am flexible in my tactics and will respond to threats or opportunities as needed.
They say you live by the gun, and you die by the gun
Those who rely on guns and violence will ultimately be killed by them.
I been a little soldier; I been a little beast.
I have experience and strength in combat and violence.
I'm even wilder, I got Soldier Slim livin through me.
I have been influenced and inspired by Soldier Slim, a rapper known for his violent lyrics and lifestyle.
When I pray, I don't know what to say.
I struggle to find words to communicate with a higher power.
Just beg to the Lord to let me see another day.
I am scared of dying and want to live to fight another day.
A AK totter, 1st quarter, 50 through *****
I am carrying an AK-47 rifle and will shoot fifty rounds at my enemies.
Sweat on my palms, bomb ass weedwill keep me calm.
I am nervous and anxious, but smoking high-quality marijuana helps me relax.
Strap on my arm, the streets is feeling like Vietnam,
I have a gun on my person and feel like I am in a battleground or warzone.
Murdering Uncle Toms, I'm crunk like I'm Lil' John
I am violently attacking those who betray or disrespect our community, and feel energized and pumped up like rapper Lil' John.
Imma wizard waving a wand, your bodies up in my palm
I have power and control over my enemies, as if I am a wizard casting a spell over them.
If you kill me flex, hit the block and go take care of my moms nigga.
If I am killed, I expect my friends to retaliate and avenge me, and take care of my family.
My mom ashamed of me, I'm in the game now.
My mother disapproves of my violent lifestyle, but I am already involved and can't leave now.
I tell her momma don't trip, it's too late to change now.
I am trying to reassure my mother that it is too late to change my ways and that she shouldn't worry or interfere.
I'm on the block with it, I'm in the club with it.
I carry my gun with me everywhere I go, whether on the street or at a social event.
Wherever you catch me at I'm ready to bust with it.
I am always prepared to shoot my gun if needed, no matter where I am or who I am with.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRISTOPHER DORSEY, LAVELL CRUMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind