Whenever we hear about David Banner it's usually in the context of something bigger than music, as Banner has transformed from "Like A Pimp," to a voice for minority communities and the disenfranchised. But now Banner is jumping back into the music, but with a different perspective and purpose. It's been seven years since Banner released his last album Death of a Pop Star, but today he drops a single from his upcoming album The God Box, entitled "Magnolia," featuring the vocals of CeeLo Green and Raheem DeVaughn.
The track is a ode to the Magnolia State, Banner's own Mississippi. Banner uses the track to address the relationship between the state and its famous foliage, “The song represents the relationship of trees in Mississippi and Africans throughout history.” Banner told Hotnewhiphop. “The taller the tree, the broader the story, the shorter the tree, the more personal the perspective is. My verse is about the relationship of the magnolia tree and African’s during slavery.” CeeLo uses his verse as an expose on class and police violence.
The song has all the makings of another classic, but this one has the potential to not just entertain, but educate. The God Box is set to release on May 19, 2017.
Quotable Lyrics
I was sitting up under this tree she was talking to me
She said son do you know who I am, who I happen to be
And I told her the mighty Magnolia that stand tall for
the shoulders of slaves and soldiers when the days get colder