David Banner gives music studio to Boys & Girls chapter
When David Banner was recording the music that launched a major label career, it came from a makeshift studio inside of a van in which he was also sleeping.
During the ninth annual “Heal the Hood at Christmas" project in Jackson, Banner, through collaboration with his foundation, made sure a younger generation will have access to the technology that was not available to him, with the donation of a recording studio to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi. It is the first of six studios that will be developed in partnership with the chapter.
Overlooking the same basketball courts Banner used to come to to escape gang violence, the studio will allow kids to gain experience in all facets of the music industry, from songwriting, producing and performing to recording.
“I come back because I love the way I feel when I come in here,” Banner said. “Now you see that I can give back, hopefully one of y’all can get popping from this studio and come back and give some more money.”
Local Boys & Girls Club president and CEO Penney Ainsworth reiterated that the studio space would be an important way to promote education and creativity through different fields.
“They’re going to learn to write, make beats and marry the two before going into the sound booth,” Ainsworth said. “We’re going to teach them computer skills and show how that affects everyday life. Hopefully we’ll get some David Banners out of here, some producers and songwriters out of here.”
The studio space located in a converted office features a state-of-the art computer with music editing software Pro Tools, and a soundproof recording booth. Jackson producer Leroy Jones, who runs Sonic Signature studios, renovated the space in just over a week.
“When I was in my teens, I didn’t have a chance to have access to something like this,” said Jones, who works with local MCs such as Dolla Black and Savvy, but has also produced for artists Mannie Fresh, Lil Boosie, Scarface and more. “They can come in here and learn and develop a passion for it like I did, and become a millionaire after that.”
Jones got into the production business during the transition from tape to digital. He said what used to cost tens of thousands of dollars for high-level production can now be achieved at a fraction of the cost.
Along with the availability of free music online, lower costs have led to an explosion of music on the market, one that Banner lamented: “Everyone wants to do music, but when is the last time any of y’all bought a record? The most talented generation of Mississippi rappers in history are y’all’s generation, but now records aren’t selling.”
“A lot of people have a problem with that, but I don’t,” Jones said. “It makes it a world where more people can be creative. We need more art in the world.”
Banner’s campaign Friday began as a speaker at an education program at Henley Young Juvenile Justice Center. His appearance at the Boys & Girls Club included a gift-giveaway for 350 youth and their families, who danced to a DJ and took pictures with Santa Claus. Banner mingled with the children, taking selfies and explaining that he had once been in their shoes.
Banner, who was student body president at Southern University and attended graduate school at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on a full scholarship, put an onus on education.
“If you don’t know any words, what are you rapping about? All we rap about is dope, drugs, pimping and killing. The only people that we’re pimping are ourselves,” said Banner, whose “God Box” album is scheduled for release next year.
“Our people have been through so much hell that they hate themselves. They don’t know how to love. I realize that, and it’s the reason I come back and give for the people. I honestly don’t care about nothing but these children. It’s all I care about.”
Contact Jacob Threadgill at (601) 961-7192 or jthreadgil@gannett.com. Follow @JacoboLaSombra on Twitter.