Customer Reviews

Certified

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

David Banner is back with a vengeance. He stormed on the scene a couple years back with "Like A Pimp" and the not-so-popular song "Cadillac on 22s" from his debut cd Mississippi The Album. He almost immediately released MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water, a move that was obviously a decision by the label in a failed attempt to capitalize on the success and popularity of "Like A Pimp." The last time somebody did this in recent memory was when DMX put out his first two albums in the same year. The difference between the two is the fact that DMX had multiple tracks off his debut album that had extensive promotion before the second album even hit stores. But after a little time off and a major self-examination, David Banner makes his way back into the spotlight in hopes of expanding his fan base with Certified.

From the looks of the cover for Certified, one might think that it's a more reserve David Banner this time around. By no means is this the case, thankfully. He has made his songs a little more friendly with the inclusion of some R&B cats like Jagged Edge on "2 Fingers" and the almost-forgotten singer Case on "Thinking Of You." And songs like "F*cking" featuring Jazze Pha and the first single "Play" are centered around pleasing the female crowd that we all know loves almost any nasty hip-hop that comes out (a la "Wait/The Whisper Song" and "Get Low"). And David Banner reflects on the inequalities of the world with "My Life" featuring Sky. But that's really the only thing that is less hardcore on the album than with his previous offerings.

Banner has a huge selection of guest stars on the album, a technique that practically every other music artists is utilizing these days. His best collabos have to be "Ridin" surprisingly featuring Dead Prez and Talib Kweli, "Take Your" featuring the living legend Too Short along with the versatile lyricism of Bun B, and "Gangsta Walk" with Memphis' own Three Six Mafia and 8Ball & MJG. Other decent duos would be "Treat Me Like" with Jadakiss, and "On Everything" where he trades verses with Twista. Other songs are true grimy Dirty South fare like "Certified" featuring Marcus, "Ain't Got Nothin'" with Magic and Lil Boosie, and "Bloody War" with ex-Cash Money soldier BG.

There are quite a few songs that probably should've been reworked, remixed, or left off the album entirely. "Lost Souls" is the first track on the album and leaves you wondering if you should even continue listening to the rest of the album. "Westside" sounds too obnoxious and loud to even take seriously, along with the song "X-ed" with Kamikaze. And the closing song "Crossroads" featuring Grout has a hefty dose of heavy metal, something almost no one in the hood can relate to. All in all, David Banner does give a satisfying album, with a few interruptions here and there. And with the saturation of crappy albums flooding the market these days, Certified is officially worth your time and money.

A lot of artists succumb to being over produced and *featuring* many other artists on their albums --artists that really don't add anything, except to underscore why we *have* (and need) a cutting room floor.

Not true here. Throughout this album and across the lyrics DB and friends are provocative, thoughtful, and humorous.

Banner = quality

very good cd best songs are play, aint got nothin, crossroads,certified, gangsta walk, and treat me like

David Banner really put all he could into this album and it paid off. It's very different from what I'm used to and I like that he changed it up. He has a lot of good people on the album with him and whole album is just great. There really isn't too much that you can say but to go buy the album for yourself it's worth every penny.


And also EVERYONE should give DB some respect he's true to what he says and it comes from the heart. He's a funny guy and a great rapper but he's also educated and I want EVERYONE to know that. He's not just some dumb rapper that sold drugs to get to where he is. He went to college and has a degree and on top of all that he was broke not too many years ago. Look where he is and what he's doing right now....he's putting money back into the community...he's own money. He deserves respect for that. So before anyone is quick to judge him saying that he isn't all that great, does your favorite rapper give back to the community or does he/she ice up their wrist and neck? Do they buy cars and clothes, not giving a damn about what's going on or remembering what life was like before they made it big? David Banner one the few who cares and I love and respect him for that.

Don't make him angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

(That especially goes for you, Mr. McGee.)

Gritty, honest, funky southern fare! Mr. Banner has outdone himself. If you don't find yourself patting your feet you must have forgotten how!

David Banner went all out on this CD there's songs that i like, and songs that are okay.
Song list
1)I like this song a lot, its catchy, and you can bump it in your car.It's an angry song
2)This sounds like some old David Banner, another loud, angry song, males seem to get crunk to this song
3)I didnt really get this song... at all. it doesnt make sence. It's alright, not my favorite

4)I really like this song, its my favorite song on the album, the singing in the chorus, is really good, you gotta love it! It's a real party song
5)Play... haha so much to say about it. It's nasty, but u gotta love it! I love this song, David Banner did his thang!
6)One of the slow songs on the CD, It has a very umm.... interesting chorus. lol, you will have to find out what its about!
7)This is my other favorite song on the album. It's a slower song, it reminds my of my boo. Boys and girls can relate to this song, its not just for girls!
8)This is a clubbin song for sure! Twister does his thing on this track! i love it! everyone should have this song! It's HOTT!! I put that on everything!
9)This song has a female in it! finally! ha, but its hard core, males would like this song, relating to people thinkin they are the stuff! Its an okay song
10) I love this song! when it came out, i was sprung on it! Most of you have probably heard it. "I aint got nothin" with lil Boosie.
11)I personally love B.G. and he brings A LOT to this song. This song is another hardcore rap song. Talking about "bloody war"
12)This song reps the WEST SIDE! where i am from! so i really love this song. Its about California, and the chorus will grab anyone, and get them crunk.
13)I like this song, its got a somewhat relaxing beat, but the lyrics break that relaxing, once again talkin about people thinkin they the stuff.
14)This is deffinatly the slow song on the album, it reaches out and touches you. It makes you sit back and think about yout life.
15)The beat on this song is hot, It's a pretty good song.
16)I didnt not like this song, its about "getting x'ed", and didnt we just hear that song from J-Kwon. I skip over this song.
17)This song brings together rock and rap. I really like this song too. It's different, and i like different sometimes, this is a REALLY good song.

IF YALL AINT HEARD MAYYYNE...THIS SH#T IS SOO RAWW IM TELLIN YOU!!!
YALL GOTS TO COP THIS AND PUT IT IN THE COLLECTION CUZ IT GOES HAAAARD!!!! AND YEA I KNOW THE SOUTH GOT ALOT OF FIRE OUT RIGHT NOW BUT CERTIFIED IS IN THE TOP 10 FA SHO. THE PRODUCTION IS BLAZIN AND BANNER PUTS IT DOWN LYRICLY LIKE A TRUE VET. A COUPLE TRAKS I WASNT FEELIN BUT OVER ALL ITS OFF THA COLLA. ON EVERYTHANG IS A BLAZIN JOINT(MY FAV)TWISTA AND BANNER KILLD IT,
I BUMP THAT EVERYDAY B4 FOOTBALL PRACTICE CUZ I LIKE THAT MARCHIN
BAND SOUND AND IT GETS ME TANKED UP REDDY TO HEAD BUST YA FEEL ME.
TOP 10 KUTZ
1.ON EVERYTHING
2.GANGSTA WALK
3.CERTIFIED
4.WESTSIDE(WE GOTS TO SHOW LOVE 4 THE W)
5.2 FINGERS
6.TREAT ME LIKE(JADA KILLD THIS ONE)
7.BLOODY WAR
8.RIDIN
9.PLAY
10.I AINT GOT NOTHIN

PEACE AND LOVE HIP-HOP 4EVER

ok..if you want to buy this cd for just play..dont..play is a totally different kind of song than the rest of the cd..i was hesitant to buy this one because i wasnt sure if i liked his first album. i ended up buying it because i had some extra cash and im VERY glad that i bought it. almost every song on here is great. i agree with the reviewer below me about the song "ridin'". it IS very racial but in my opinion also, it is the best song on the cd. talib kweli BLOWS it up on his verse. my favorite line is "and if a white boy ever says this sh*t he'll still get punched right in the mouth"..hmm..other great songs include lost souls, treat me like, 2 fingers..this song took me by surprise..i thought it was going to be a "bubblegum" pop song but i was wrong.. this is my sleeper pick off the album, westside..my other favorite, and crossroads. this album has a lot of guitars in it so if you dont like raps over a guitars or electric guitars than dont bother. david banner just lays it all out on the line for this one...definitely get this one..dont sleep on it, you'll regret it if you do..

1. Lost Souls 5/5 Hard Beat And David Banner Went Really Hard
2. Treat Me Like 5/5 Good Features On This One!! A Good Fit!
3. Gangster Walk 2.5/5 Wasn't All That!!
4. 2 Fingers 3.5/5 Good Beat And Good Song
5. Play 5/5 What Can I Say!!
6. F****** 1/5 Was Prob Worst Song!!
7. Thinking Of You 1/5 Anotha Flop!!
8. On Everything 4/5 Got Me Crunk!!!
9. Certified 2/5 Wasnt That Good
10. Ain't Got Nothing 5/5 Good Song!!
11. Bloody War 1.5/5 Awful
12. Westside 1/5 Bad!!
13. Take Your 4/5 Cechy Beat!! Good Song
14. My Life 5/5 Awsome!!!!
15. Ridin' 4/5 Good Beat Got On Me!
16. X-ed 5/5 Hate When That Person Or What Eva Says Eeny Miny Moe!! Scary!
17. Crossroads 5/5++ Good Finisher!! My Fav Track!!

overall 4.7/5 Goo And Get It If You Dont Have It!!