David Banner born Lavell William Crump April 11 1974 ht 62 is an American rapper record producer and occasional actor He graduated from Southern University with a bachelors degree then attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore to pursue a masters He started his music career as a member of the rap duo Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000 with the release entitled Them Firewater Boyz Vol 1 In 2003 Banner signed to Universal Records where he released four albums Mississippi The Album 2003 MTA2 Baptized in Dirty Water 2003 Certified 2005 and The Greatest Story Ever Told 2008 He is also a noted producer having produced music for himself Trick Daddy TI Lil Boosie and Lil Wayne among others He started his own podcast named The David Banner Podcast