Mississippi’s favorite son breaks out of the swamp in a suit David Banner Certified (Universal SRC)

Even with the Southern hip–hop explosion, David Banner’s past outings have failed to go platinum, perhaps stifled by the “thinking man’s crunk” tag. But Banner has been banging his home state’s drums (or MPC, as it were) for years, and with his music’s streetwise thump he should already be a breakout star. For his third solo album, he’s mostly abandoned his own production in favor of big hooks and shout–response tracks from crossover titans like Lil Jon, Mannie Fresh and Jazze Pha. On the DJ Smurf?laced “Play,” Banner takes the Ying Yang Twins’ hushed sexuality to new heights. Meanwhile, “Westside” daps every left coast MC from Keak Da Sneak to MC Hammer, and “Ain’t Got Nuthin’” is a skittery stomp about being broke. Each and every song wields a massive chorus. For some artists, this might signal the selling out of a hardcore fan base. For Banner, it’s just the next logical step: stardom. Bump these: “Certified,” “What Tha Feezy,” “Ain’t Got Nuthin’”

David Banner tells us why he’s not so angry anymore

Why do you always look mad in your press photos when you’re such a nice guy?

David Banner: That was a cognizant decision. It got to a point where every time I saw a young black male they were either playing football or shucking and jiving. I wanted, if nothing else, to show young black males how to be a man. I was angry. When you see this album cover though, you’re going to be like, “What?” I’m in suits now. What I’m trying to say is we are businessmen now, especially in the South.

Do you feel pressure with the new album?

David Banner: Last year, I almost had a stroke. I almost died, because I work so hard. The fact that I came from Mississippi, and I made it, I don’t have time to miss. I feel like every minute that I’m sleeping, I’m wasting my blessings. I realized that if it’s in God’s time and if I’m truly working God’s prayer, I got time to rest. I got time to read up and look at the world. So now, one of the things I’m trying to show kids is you can smile. They don’t know what to do with a young black man that’s smiling and has a plan.

What are you trying to achieve with Certified?

David Banner: I’m gonna be honest and frank with you. People know me from having very insightful, heartfelt records. But Certified ain’t nothin’ but a whole bunch of muthafuckin’ shit. Because I came to the realization that if I don’t make hit records, nobody is gonna wanna listen to my message, no matter how good it is. This album is to certify me in the game. And if it does, then I got two albums after this to do whatever I wanna do.

Why didn’t you produce any tracks for yourself this time?

David Banner: Because I rap better over other people’s stuff. It’s like if Janet Jackson was your daughter, she wouldn’t be attractive to you like that. My music, that’s my children, I made it. It don’t excite me. Home // CELEBRITIES // COMPLEX MEN // David Banner: Banner Year