Corporate line:
Born in Jackson, MISSISSIPPI, rapper, actor, music producer, record label exec and philanthropist releases his most personal album. Emerging from more than a year of in-depth humanitarian and philanthropic efforts to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Jackson, Mississippi native was eager to get back into the studio and practice his craft. “Everybody wants to hear the hits and I got `em,” says Banner. “But I wouldn’t be calling it `The Greatest Story’ if it also wasn’t truthful. My fans know I’m going to be telling it straight-up however I’m coming.” It was Banner’s 2005 release Certified that set a new standard for hip-hop scorchers, with his smash single “Play” garnered more then 50 million in radio audience and climbed into the Top 5 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, causing more than one esteemed urban publication to peg the star as hip-hop’s `thinking man.’ The outspoken Banner has been perfecting his signature brand of rap rock and street tinged anthems ever since his stunning 2003 Gold-plus debut, Mississippi – The Album. The album’s genre-altering single “Like A Pimp,” featuring Lil’ Flip, was hailed as Banner’s breakthrough song.

The great:
“Cadillac on 22’s Part 2″ – If Banner spent more time writing songs like this he’d be at the top of the hip-hop heap. This is easily the best song on the album–nothing else is close.
“Shawty Say” f/Lil Wayne – A hot song that should be burning up a club near you.

The rest:
“So Long” – It’s a shame that the chorus is so bad because the verses are strong.
“9 MM” – Even with a handful of ace hip-hop artists this track is terrible.
“A Girl” – A nominee for one of the worst hip-hop songs of the year. If Banner is lucky this might make its way into porn movies. “F*** You H***” comes close to being worse.
“Suicide Doors”

Finally:
David Banner has a ton of talent but that never gets showcased on “The Greatest Story Ever Told” except on the track “Cadillac on 22’s Part 2.” Banner tries too hard to make a hit song and ends up with garbage. The man is better than this album showcases–hopefully someday we’ll see what Banner has to give.

Check out the interview with David Banner about the new album: