By Odeisel
David Banner and 9th Wonder form an unlikely duo on Death of a Pop Star, an album that takes both artists to new musical places. Banner, Mississippi’s premiere emcee, departs from his drawl heavy cadence and 9th adds more depth to his production. Does that combo work in 2010?
“Diamonds on My Pinky” opens with Banner applying a decidedly phrase flipping approach; connecting Transformers, Santa Claus’ notable absence from the hood, and Obama’s election in a rapid burst of bars. Banner notes the dichotomy of excess and poverty living on the same street, closing strongly with I’m from Mississippi where you let your nuts hang and the white folks let my ancestors do the same.
The precision lyricism continues on the compact track, “No Denying (Channel 3).” An annoying vocal arrangement accompanies Banner doing his best Talib Kweli impression, cadence- wise. Banner notes that we love to see the grand stories while forgetting the struggle and the human level stores (“We love Jay-Z but we omit Beanie Sigel”). He also addresses the disconnect between finance and faith:
The richer that I got the more demonic that I felt and nobody would stop me because they were going for they self/ The richer that you get the more you turn away from God and the poorer that you are, the more you steal ‘cause it’s hard.
“Mas 4” is a flat out spit fest with Banner going ham over a rugged beat. There is not room for cuteness here and David delivers. Banner steps back on the soap box for “The Light,” taking religious figures and entertainers to task. Church organs find a home with digital synth, juxtaposing Banner’s commentary on the secular sharing space with the religious and the issues that follow.
Banner flows first like Sir Mix-A-Lot, then Big Boi on “Slow Down.” Heather Victoria’s appearance is underwhelming and the song ranks as the softest on the album. The biggest song on the album, “Be With You” features Ludacris and Marsha Ambrosius over strong 9th Wonder production and great balance among the performers.`
“Stutter” takes an inventive trip through Banner’s mind as he stutters his way through trying to tell a hottie that he’s totally into her. Banner manages to skirt the line between cute and corny while Anthony Hamilton’s guest vocals top off a well-constructed 9th Wonder beat for a well-balanced song that would make a great single.
Badu stops through on “Silly” opened by a dope 9th verse intro. Not enough to make you clamor for an album of 9th rapping but cool enough to bob your head to. Banner is a bit too aggressive with his vocals but the song is dope
“Something is Wrong” ponders whether people would listen to substance if records with substance was put on wax. The song recounts the degeneration of gangs from political organizations designed to protect the community to packs of wolves that prey on the community. David addresses the complicity of rappers that call for their listeners to keep it real while they aren’t living that life themselves. He calls Obama on the carpet for avoiding the still potent issue of race while police are murdering black people in the streets with impunity
The album closes with the rich, bouncing bass of “Strange” where Banner plays the “Why” game. He ponders the reasons for the self-destruction going on in urban America. Big Remo steals the show by focusing on familial issues like child support. Banner says when the South’s time is over he wants it known that they were more than gold teeth and white tees ass and titties…but he loves titties.
Death of a Pop Star is proof of evolution from both producer and emcee. Banner steps closer to East Coast delivery while 9th adds more layers to his production work. Banner doesn’t abandon his content or try to smother it with pimp shit like smothering bad ribs with too much sauce to compensate. The album features beats and rhymes that matter and sound good. Isn’t that strange?
3.75 out of 5
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