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.
Lost Souls
David Banner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I missed y'all, niggas
As much I know, God is for the thugs too, my nigga
This is for my thug niggas
All the pimps and the drug dealers
Thieves and the motherfuckin' killers
The ones who ain't never had shit
This is for my thug niggas
All the pimps and the drug dealers
Thieves and the motherfuckin' killers
The ones who ain't never had shit
That's why we get crunk in this bitch
Daddy in the pen, momma out suckin' dick
I ain't never had fam, so I ride with my click
Said, I die for my click, jealous hoes die too
I would have been a lawyer by the age of twenty two
But I won't, so I don't give a fuck about killing dudes
I sell crack too, I will jack dudes
I dropped out of school to buy my daughter some food
And her momma don't live around here no more
They took her life when they kicked in my door
Yelling bitch where the dope, then blow, blow, blow
They thought I was a beast, tell the bitch, look now
I'mma smoke my weed, I'mma fuck me a hoe
I'mma want your dough, I'mma kick your do'
I'mma slap your hoe, I'mma take your date
When I'm thinkin' about the Lord, I got to see one day, sorry
This is for my thug niggas
All the pimps and the drug dealers
Thieves and the motherfuckin' killers
The ones who ain't never had shit
That's why we get crunk in this bitch
This is for my thug niggas
All the pimps and the drug dealers
Thieves and the motherfuckin' killers
The ones who ain't never had shit
That's why we get crunk in this bitch
I'mma get me a 'laq, I'mma ride down ten
I'mma pray to the Lord, I won't die in the pen
Gotta serve for my sins, I'mma serve me a cop
I gotta watch my back for the fuckin' undercovers
Fuck the clips
Fuck the PD
Fuck 'em
Bitch
I'mma come up to the crib, I'mma flood my block
I'mma ride downtown, yelling, "Fuck, Trent Lott"
They done raped grandmama, they done took our land
Now they wonder why a nigga don't give a hot damn
Damn, damn, damn, damn
This is for my thug niggas
All the pimps and the drug dealers
Thieves and the motherfuckin' killers
The ones who ain't never had shit
That's why we get crunk in this bitch
This is for my thug niggas
All the pimps and the drug dealers
Thieves and the motherfuckin' killers
The ones who ain't never had shit
That's why we get crunk in this bitch
Save our souls
Lord, save our souls
Save our souls
Save our souls
In David Banner's "Lost Souls", the lyrics describe the struggles of growing up in Mississippi as a "thug" or criminal, and the desperation that can arise when one feels they have no other options. The song begins by addressing the audience as fellow Mississippians, with the refrain "This is for my thug n*ggas / All the pimps and the drug dealers / Thieves and the motherfuckin' killers / The ones who ain't never had shit / That's why we get crunk in this bitch." The verses detail the singer's struggles, including having a father in prison and a mother who prostitutes herself, dropping out of school to support their child, and the violence and danger they face both from other criminals and from law enforcement. The chorus repeats the refrain, emphasizing the solidarity and strength that can come from mutual struggle, despite the recognition of the harm they cause to themselves and others.
The lyrics of "Lost Souls" offer a raw and unfiltered window into the experience of poverty and criminality, and the ways in which systemic oppression can push individuals towards actions they may not otherwise choose. The song highlights the complex and often contradictory emotions of those who feel trapped and alienated in their community, but who still find connection and support amongst their peers. Ultimately, the repeated plea to "Save our souls" echoes the desperate hope that there may be some way out of the cycle of violence and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to welcome y'all back to Mississippi
David Banner invites the listener to his home state of Mississippi
Yeah, I missed y'all, niggas
David Banner expresses his sentiment of missing his audience and people
As much I know, God is for the thugs too, my nigga
David Banner recognizes God's love is for all, including the marginalized and criminalized
Daddy in the pen, momma out suckin' dick
David Banner paints a picture of his broken home and the harsh realities that he faced as a result
I ain't never had fam, so I ride with my click
David Banner formed his own family with those closest to him to survive the struggles he faced alone
Said, I die for my click, jealous hoes die too
David Banner emphasizes the loyalty he has to his crew, even if it means facing death, and warns against disloyalties
I would have been a lawyer by the age of twenty two
David Banner dreams of a life away from crime and regrets not having the opportunities to succeed
But I won't, so I don't give a fuck about killing dudes
David Banner has fallen so far from his dreams that he no longer cares about taking someone's life
I sell crack too, I will jack dudes
David Banner admits his involvement in illegal activities to survive and feed his daughter
I dropped out of school to buy my daughter some food
David Banner abandoned his education to provide for his child
And her momma don't live around here no more
David Banner's daughter's mother is no longer a part of their lives
They took her life when they kicked in my door
David Banner's daughter's mother was killed during a police raid on their home
Yelling bitch where the dope, then blow, blow, blow
David Banner describes the violent and traumatic experience of a police raid on his home
They thought I was a beast, tell the bitch, look now
David Banner feels vindicated that he can now stand up to those who wrongfully labeled him a beast
I'mma smoke my weed, I'mma fuck me a hoe
David Banner describes some of the ways he copes with his trauma and pain
I'mma want your dough, I'mma kick your do'
David Banner expresses his frustration and anger towards a society that does not support and care for those in poverty
I'mma slap your hoe, I'mma take your date
David Banner reinforces his violent and misogynistic persona, which has been shaped by his environment and experiences
When I'm thinkin' about the Lord, I got to see one day, sorry
David Banner apologizes for his violent thoughts and actions and acknowledges his desire to seek redemption
I'mma get me a 'laq, I'mma ride down ten
David Banner plans to acquire a Cadillac and cruise down Highway 10
I'mma pray to the Lord, I won't die in the pen
David Banner asks for God's protection and hopes to avoid dying in prison
Gotta serve for my sins, I'mma serve me a cop
David Banner believes he must atone for his sins and may target law enforcement officers as a way of doing so
I gotta watch my back for the fuckin' undercovers
David Banner feels paranoid and unsafe due to the police and their surveillance tactics
Fuck the clips
David Banner expresses his disdain for the media outlets that portray him and those like him as criminals and thugs
Fuck the PD
David Banner harbors anger and distrust towards the police department due to the systemic racism and violence he has experienced
Fuck 'em
David Banner concludes his frustration and anger towards the institutions that have perpetuated his experiences
I'mma come up to the crib, I'mma flood my block
David Banner asserts his power and control over his neighborhood and community
I'mma ride downtown, yelling, 'Fuck, Trent Lott'
David Banner shouts out to his fellow Mississippi native and former U.S. Senator Trent Lott as a symbol of defiance and rebellion
They done raped grandmama, they done took our land
David Banner highlights the violent and oppressive history of Mississippi, including the atrocities committed against his own family
Now they wonder why a nigga don't give a hot damn
David Banner explains the source of his anger and apathy towards a society that has continually oppressed and harmed him
Save our souls
David Banner hopes for redemption and salvation for himself and his community
Lord, save our souls
David Banner calls upon God to provide the salvation and healing that he and his community desperately need
Save our souls
David Banner emphasizes the urgency of his prayer for redemption and salvation
Save our souls
David Banner repeats his prayer in a plea for divine intervention
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CRAIG LOVE, LAVELL CRUMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind