David Banner: What's Changed?

What was David Banner Doing Before?

Before David Banner became educated on African American politics and being woke, he was very involved in gangsta rap. Songs like “Get Like Me” and “Like a Pimp” were on billboards in the early 2000s. Like other gangsta rap music, he rapped about drugs, money, women, etc. He paid less attention to his personal lifestyle and how it affected him mentally, physically, and socially. While recording a mixtape he found himself severely depressed and his doctor told him that his soul would die if no changes were made. From there on, he improved his relationship with God, started meditating and began his involvement in social injustice.

The God Box

Below is a recollection of some of the things discussed in the Breakfast Club interview with David Banner regarding his recent studio album The God Box.

Rules

David Banner mentioned that hiphop culture is shifting. There are no longer rules for what should be mentioned in songs. A large part of what used to be “hip-hop” culture was being in the game (dealing drugs). There were rules though, you did not sell to pregnant women, or kids. According to Banner these rules no longer apply. Teenagers and young adults want to deal. It does not matter if they’re in school or underage. He says the culture has shifted and there is no longer a standard the streets follow. If you’re successful, it does not matter.

Individualism Mindset

David Banner mentions that African Americans are not willing to help each other on a collective basis. For example, setting our children up on a level where they do not have to start from scratch and be at the same level we achieved. If we laid the foundation and provided the tools for success, then we could build from it. Another example mentioned is how other races pass business to their family members so that the business is sustainable, AA families are not in the same playing field. Therefore, generation after generation we find ourselves starting from scratch. 

Racism

David Banner makes an attempt to explain how African Americans are not “racist enough.” In saying this, he means there are certain things that should be kept within the community. By doing so, we spread the support. In media, specifically the support is not always given to those who deserve it. However, our white counterparts always to give those who like them the opportunities and advances first. Banner makes it clear that we should invest in ourselves if we want to see any progress. Culture and livelihood is being given away at the expense of fame. 

Accountability

With regard to music, a lot of the hip-hop culture we see now is a result of what we were seeing before. Rappers see what moves previous known rappers made and how they became successful, however, no one wants to take accountability for why they may be doing it. Rappers these days also see the reaction that certain type of hip-hop music got, therefore, they will continue to appeal to the masses. But no one is mentioning that it came from this group and now we’re seeing it in artist today. 

David Banner emphasizes the importance of finding your purpose. In his case, finding and understanding God has lead him to being more conscious. Specifically that black people have been at the forefront of many things that they don’t teach in schools. It’s important to become the representation that you want young black children to see. We should be excelling in African American communities within Education, Politics, Culture, and life in general. 

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