A hip hop heavyweight in more ways than one, David Banner is a rap trailblazer who helped popularize Southern rap.

Growing up surrounded by racism, poverty and gang violence, dreamed of becoming a rap superstar to escape this bleak environment.

He started his rap career as a member of the duo Crooked Lettaz which released just one album (1999’s Grey Skies).

He then kick-started his career as a solo artist with his debut Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 in 2000. The album sold an impressive 10,000 copies in his home town alone, despite major label backing. The LP won him fans and caught the attention of Universal Records.

David got the chance to prove what he could achieve with a major record company supporting him, with his critically-acclaimed Mississippi: The Album which was certified gold. Its success was driven by the hit lead single "Like A Pimp”.

MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water followed in 2003, and in 2005 his fourth album, Certified was released - after many delays. Certified’s popular single, Play, sparked controversy due to its x-rated lyrics. For radio and television radio, a heavily changed version was produced. It reached number seven on the US hot 100 and number three in the rap charts.

He has collaborated with many artists including Twista, Dead Prez, Jadakiss, as well as other top producers like Lil’ Jon and Jazze Pha.

As well as rapping, producing is very important to the Southern rapper. His production credits include much-sought after beats for mega-selling artists like Nelly (a remix of his hit E.I), T.I (Rubber Band Man), Chingy Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Flip.

David says producing for upcoming acts is so important for him as when he was a young rapper coming up in the hip hop game, he could not afford to pay for beats.

When Hurricane Katrina hit his native Mississippi in 2005, David helped with relief efforts. His tour bus was used to help shuttle and house victims.

After the hurricane, David voiced his support for Kanye West’s “George Bush doesn‘t care about black people” bombshell, saying: “We've been screaming this for five years."

"You listen to your David Banners, Dead Prez, listen to rap music period. This is what rappers have been screaming all the time. The problem is America concentrates more on our cuss words. They don't hear the pain in the music all the time. You just finally had somebody who has the power Kanye has, who said it at the right time," he added.