DAVID BANNER

SRC Records has an unusual problem with one of their artists. "We can’t get David Banner off the road!" laughs one exec. We aren’t going to revisit any "workaholic" cliches; suffice it to say, the man works hard. Two quality albums, a lengthy resume of production credits and guest appearances, and two major tours - and that’s just in the past year. Sleep isn’t an option when you’re focused on the top. We caught up with Mr. Banner in Nashville on the set of Young Buck’s "Let Me In," where he managed to turn a 4 AM crowd of tired, cold extras into a crunk party in the middle of a junkyard.

What have you been up to since your last album, "MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water?"
Really I’ve just been on tour with Ludacris and Chingy, then I jumped right off that and went to the G-Unit Canada "Beg for Mercy" tour.

Those are high-profile tours to be a part of. How did you get hooked up with those opportunities, your management?
To be honest, some of it has to do with management and some of it has to do with my shows. People really like my shows.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to performing?
My philosophy as far as performing is the same as my philosophy towards life and entertainment as a whole: I’m trying to be the best. When I’m on stage I’m just trying to give all that I can. And as an artist – not as a CEO or a beatmaker but as an artist – that’s where you make your true money, on the road. So if you give a good show, you know, there ain’t too many cities that I can’t come back to and make paper. So when stuff ain’t poppin’ like it need to be, you can always stay on the road. I’ve been on the road for two and a half years now, this is my first week off.

What did you do with your first week off?
Caught up with my life. Paid my bills that I hadn’t been paying, just taking care of the stuff that my people weren’t able to take care of for me. Catch up with friends, spend some time just in Mississippi being back with my people.

What’s the most difficult part about being on tour?
Being away from Mississippi. I represent Mississippi, and I’m out on the road making sure people know about it, but the more I push the less time I’m able to spend at home.

Do you think you get any backlash from traveling so much, in your hometown?
I honestly feel like it affects me in a good way. Because, the thing is, if they see me that means I ain’t doing nothing. Every time they turn on BET or MTV or Spring Bling and they see the "Mississippi" on my shirt, that’s what means the most because I’ve been there all my life. It’s hard to compete with people that stay in New York or Los Angeles or other big cities, because they can bump into a camera on their way out to the club. I’ve been blessed because ever since my album came out, I’ve had the opportunity to be on TV at least four times, in other people’s videos, so that made me more of a "celebrity."

Do you feel like your last album suffered because it was put together so quickly?
Yeah, in certain ways.

Why did you put it out so fast?
It was basically because someone, an official, had called and asked me, as a favor.

What are the plans for your upcoming joint album with Lil’ Flip, are you going to put it out independently?
Well, we can’t put it out independently. It’s a label situation. It’s just, you know, getting our record labels to work out the details.

Is there any truth to the rumor that the album was cancelled because you were trying to charge Lil’ Flip too much?
(laughing) Nah. I hadn’t even heard that one.

Do you have any other projects you’re working on?
Just my label, b.i.G.f.a.c.e., and my artist Marcus. And I’ve been reading a few movie scripts.

You recently introduced a jersey in your clothing line honoring Emmitt Till, and now the case of his murder has been reopened. Do you feel like you played a part in that?
I don’t know. I’m glad that the case was reopened, but that’s not why I did it, to get credit for it. I did it because it was an issue of right and wrong. If people want to think that I had something to do with it, that’s up to them.