Death of a Pop Star
Encyclopedia
Death of a Pop Star is a collaborative studio album
by Mississippi
rapper David Banner
and North Carolina
producer 9th Wonder
. The album, originally a mixtape, serves as the artists' first collaborative work together. The album's theme is the death of contemporary music and increasing popularity of music downloads. Released on December 21, 2010, under Banner's Big Face Entertainment label and E1 Music, the album features collaborations with Anthony Hamilton
, Ludacris
and Erykah Badu
among others. The lead single "Slow Down" was released on January 21, 2010. "Be With You" was released as the second single on November 3, 2010.
" and "Play
", he made a list of producers he wanted to work with which included Nottz
, 9th Wonder, Just Blaze
, DJ Khalil
and Madlib
. He finally decided to work with 9th Wonder, as he and 9th have a mutual friend known as DJ Cuzzin B, who runs a DJ business with Wonder. Teaming up with 9th Wonder marks the first time that he's relinquished control to another producer for the duration of an album.
The pairing came as a surprise to many, as Banner's style is endemic to his Southern leanings and Wonder is known for his signature style of chopping creaky soul samples and flipping them into New York-sounding bangers. During a recent interview, Banner stated that he didn't want to produce the album.
Initially, the Grammy Award-winning duo were going to release the project as a free mixtape, but they later developed it into a full-length album. The duo's intent was to focus on the music, not their image.
On November 4, 2010, Banner told Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg that the album helped him spiritually. He revealed: "Money can't soothe your soul. I was making a lot of money but something didn't feel right spiritually for me. I just said I wanted to do something different".
Death of a Pop Star was originally scheduled for a summer 2010 release, but was later pushed back, first to November 9, 2010 and then to December 21, 2010.
, 9th Wonder explained the inspiration behind the project: "We thought that in many ways the death of Michael Jackson
meant the death of black music... Not to say black music is dead all the way, but on the mainstream side there's not really much of a focus on soul. There's not a lot of people trying to redefine soul music."
Both artists feel that the state of the industry and music in general has been devalued for style, over substance. For Banner, the album represents hip hop beyond the quickly compiled throwaway projects, which Banner claims are hurting more than helping the art. He elaborately gave his thoughts on his definition of art, and the risks of an artist such as himself taking the path towards releasing a more conscious project. "Our music is dying. If we don't change something soon, this won't be an art anymore... Why should somebody buy it if there's no complexity in it? An art means it's something that everybody can't do. Rap music shouldn’t be easy... I want Death of a Pop Star to make you feel a different way, because then it's an art. It's something you have to be prepared to listen to".
The album and its title touch on a sobering reality that could very well complicate the already troubled music industry, a situation that Banner hopes to address. About upcoming singers being able to cross into the Madonna
or Michael Jackson stratosphere, he says: "If music continues in the way that it is now, it's going to be impossible. The truth is, I don't think anything is impossible when you equate in the spirit of a man. They said that's one thing you can't equate or put a mathematical equation on, and that's the spirit of a human being. So I think if we are conscious of what's going on, we can change anything as human beings".
In a recent interview with HipHopOfficial.com, Banner says that most people think the album title refers to the death of being a pop star, but he insists that he and 9th chose the title so they could not only talk about the album, but also the death of contemporary music.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
rapper David Banner
David Banner
Lavell Crump , better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000...
and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
producer 9th Wonder
9th Wonder
Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J...
. The album, originally a mixtape, serves as the artists' first collaborative work together. The album's theme is the death of contemporary music and increasing popularity of music downloads. Released on December 21, 2010, under Banner's Big Face Entertainment label and E1 Music, the album features collaborations with Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton (musician)
Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
and Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
among others. The lead single "Slow Down" was released on January 21, 2010. "Be With You" was released as the second single on November 3, 2010.
Background
For this project, David Banner gave up double duty as producer and emcee and stuck to microphone duties. As he wanted to go in a different direction from songs like "Get Like MeGet Like Me
"Get Like Me" is the second single from David Banner's sixth album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. The song features Chris Brown and samples several lines from Yung Joc's "It's Goin' Down". The song originally featured Jim Jones but label troubles prevented him being featured on the single...
" and "Play
Play (David Banner song)
"Play" is the second single released by rapper David Banner from his fourth studio album Certified. It was produced by Mr. Collipark.Released in 2005, the single peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining his sole top 10 hit and his best-performing single.An alternate version, entitled the...
", he made a list of producers he wanted to work with which included Nottz
Nottz
Dominick Lamb better known by his stage name, Nottz is a music producer, writer and rapper from Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. He sometimes extends his executive name to Nottz Raw.-History:...
, 9th Wonder, Just Blaze
Just Blaze
Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
, DJ Khalil
DJ Khalil
Khalil Abdul-Rahman, better known by his stage name DJ Khalil, is a Los Angeles based American hip hop/soul record producer, and is the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Self Scientific, together with rapper Chace Infinite...
and Madlib
Madlib
Otis Jackson Jr. in Oxnard, California, known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and music producer...
. He finally decided to work with 9th Wonder, as he and 9th have a mutual friend known as DJ Cuzzin B, who runs a DJ business with Wonder. Teaming up with 9th Wonder marks the first time that he's relinquished control to another producer for the duration of an album.
The pairing came as a surprise to many, as Banner's style is endemic to his Southern leanings and Wonder is known for his signature style of chopping creaky soul samples and flipping them into New York-sounding bangers. During a recent interview, Banner stated that he didn't want to produce the album.
Initially, the Grammy Award-winning duo were going to release the project as a free mixtape, but they later developed it into a full-length album. The duo's intent was to focus on the music, not their image.
On November 4, 2010, Banner told Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg that the album helped him spiritually. He revealed: "Money can't soothe your soul. I was making a lot of money but something didn't feel right spiritually for me. I just said I wanted to do something different".
Death of a Pop Star was originally scheduled for a summer 2010 release, but was later pushed back, first to November 9, 2010 and then to December 21, 2010.
Theme
Death of a Pop Star explores the theme of the death of contemporary black music. In an interview with HitQuartersHitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
, 9th Wonder explained the inspiration behind the project: "We thought that in many ways the death of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
meant the death of black music... Not to say black music is dead all the way, but on the mainstream side there's not really much of a focus on soul. There's not a lot of people trying to redefine soul music."
Both artists feel that the state of the industry and music in general has been devalued for style, over substance. For Banner, the album represents hip hop beyond the quickly compiled throwaway projects, which Banner claims are hurting more than helping the art. He elaborately gave his thoughts on his definition of art, and the risks of an artist such as himself taking the path towards releasing a more conscious project. "Our music is dying. If we don't change something soon, this won't be an art anymore... Why should somebody buy it if there's no complexity in it? An art means it's something that everybody can't do. Rap music shouldn’t be easy... I want Death of a Pop Star to make you feel a different way, because then it's an art. It's something you have to be prepared to listen to".
Album title
The title was the result of studio banter with 9th Wonder about the state of the music industry, with Wonder coming to the revelation that today's superstar will never achieve the same success as those of an earlier era.The album and its title touch on a sobering reality that could very well complicate the already troubled music industry, a situation that Banner hopes to address. About upcoming singers being able to cross into the Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
or Michael Jackson stratosphere, he says: "If music continues in the way that it is now, it's going to be impossible. The truth is, I don't think anything is impossible when you equate in the spirit of a man. They said that's one thing you can't equate or put a mathematical equation on, and that's the spirit of a human being. So I think if we are conscious of what's going on, we can change anything as human beings".
In a recent interview with HipHopOfficial.com, Banner says that most people think the album title refers to the death of being a pop star, but he insists that he and 9th chose the title so they could not only talk about the album, but also the death of contemporary music.
Music
Adopting a "New York" sound wasn't a product of circumstance, but rather a conscious decision to help bring focus back to Banner's lyrical abilities.Singles
- "Slow Down" was released as the lead single on January 21, 2010. Illusive Media and David Banner directed the music video which has been premiered on June 21, 2010. The album version of the song is different from the single version; the sample used in the single has been replaced by synthesizer sounds and the vocal sample is sung by Heather Victoria.
- The second single, "Be With You", was released on November 3, 2010. The music video directed by Mr. Boomtown was premiered on December 17, 2010.
Tracklist
(*) designates additional productionPersonnel
Credits for Death of a Pop Star adapted from Allmusic and from the album liner notes.- David Banner - Additional Production, Executive Producer, Keyboards
- 9th Wonder - Engineer, Producer
- E. Jones - Additional Production, Engineer, Keyboards, Producer
- THX - Additional Production, Keyboards
- Warryn Campbell - Additional Production, Bass, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Piano
- Heather Victoria - Composer
- Anthony Daniels - Engineer
- Kevin Williams - Flute
- Dontae Winslow - Horn
- Neil Pogue - Mixing
- Pat Viala - Mixing
- Bruce Buechner - Vocals
- Carlos Ricketts - Vocals
- Joi Starr - Vocals
- Melodye Perry - Vocals
- Kay K. Rosemond - A&R
- Annette Navarro - Art Direction, Design, Photography
- Corey Smyth - Associate Producer
- Samantha Selolwane - Associate Producer
- Caroline Yim - Booking
- Paul Grosso - Design
- Marleny Dominguez - Label Direction
- Larry Tyler - Management
- Charley Greenberg - Marketing
- Chris Herche - Marketing
- John Franck - Marketing
- Shawnte Crespo - Marketing
- Dee "Pitboss" Sonaram - Promoter
- Shadow Stokes - Promoter
- Courtney Lowery - Publicity
- Giovanna Melchiorre - Publicity
- Scott Parker - Trainer
- Lisa Franke - Video