David Banner - MTA 2: Baptized In Dirty Water
Reviewed By: NOTORIOUS
Album Rate: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Mississippi rap pioneer David Banner returns with
his second album in just over seven months with
MTA2: Baptized In Dirty Water. Off the heels of
his groundbreaking Mississippi: The Album, Banner
hits the nation up with his signature mix of crunk
hits and conscience worthy tracks.
1. Eternal - The signature "David Banner..." starts
this track off. Perfect introduction as Banner
states he's "eternal" and he's not going anywhere.
Track could be labeled as crunk with some
conscience thought to it. Good start to this one.
2. Talk To Me (f/ Lil' Flip) - David Banner returns
with Lil' Flip for a reunion of Banner's biggest
hit song, "Like A Pimp." This is definitely a
crunk track. Off the success of "Like A Pimp," I
was kinda disappointed with this track. I just
expected more.
3. Like A Pimp (remix)(f/ Twista, Busta Rhymes) -
Most of you all have heard this one before. It got
played on the radio as well as placed on a lot of
East Coast and Southern mixtapes. Like the
original, this track is top notch. Twista, Banner,
and Busta Rhymes shine on this one.
4. Crank It Up (f/ Static) - This track is the
first single even though you won't see the video
until January. SRC is deciding to release the
album before the video. Can't say I remember that
ever happening before from a major artist.
Nonetheless, this track is tight as fuck! Great
choice for the first single. Very much a bling
bling type song but you don't ever realize it
because this track is that good! Top notch.
5. Pretty Pink (f/ Jazze Pha, T.I., Marcus) - Two
in a row! Once you hear this one, you'll get that
Sho Nuff-type feel from this one as it has the
Jazze Pha vocals. Crunk/club song without a doubt.
I'm seeing the Uncut video already. Marcus shows
lots of potential and future stardom on this one.
The King of the South rounds this one on this
track. Great effort from all those involved.
6. Pop That (f/ Sky) - This one has a slight hint
of some 2 Live Crew bounce to it. Since I'm not a
fan of bounce, I'm not feeling this one too much.
7. My Lord (f/ Sky, Marcus) - Track has a "Cadillac
on 22's" feel to it. This track works just like
the latter did. I could see this one being a video
but I'm afraid radio wouldn't pick up on it. Tight
song, nonethless.
8. The Game (f/ Scarface) - Edit my earlier comment
for "My Lord." I'd rather see this one as a video!
And I think radio would pick up on this one.
Banner shows the lyricism on this one that features
South Legend, Scarface. Great song.
9. Gots To Go (f/ Devin, Bun B) - Devin kills the
hook on this one! He's one of the most underrated
in the game. If you don't know about him, check
him out. Banner kills his verse as does Devin.
Rap legend Bun B of UGK ends this one off for a top
notch track. My favorite song thus far.
10. The Christmas Song (f/ Marcus, Sky) - This
track is tight! It's also featured on Lil' Jon's
"Crunk and Disorderly" album just recently
released. If you copped that album, then you
already that this song is tizight! Marcus drops a
couple verses and Sky sings the hook. Great song.
11. Baptized In Dirty Water (interlude) - It's an
interlude.
12. Ooh Aah - Crunk song! Say Ooh Aah,
motherfucker/ Ain't no bitch in my blood . . .
could be an anthem in the works. Banner changes up
his flow on this one sounding like he could have
been on some early Three-6-Mafia albums. Top notch
track. A definite winner.
13. Mamma's House (f/ Frekzanatcha) - Track's got a
Pastor Troy "We Ready!" feel to it. Banner name
drops Playa Fly which will always get points in my
book. Alabama native Frekzanatcha drops a pretty
tight verse. Great track.
14. So In Love - Manny Fresh production on this
one. Doesn't fit too well with Banner. Just not
feeling this one too much.
15. Lil' Jones (f/ Bonecrusher) - Tight ass track!
Two of 2003's top breakout artists from the south
come together on this one, and it works to
perfection. This track is just tight! I'm not a
big Bonecrusher fan but he's holding his own on
this one.
16. Air Force One's (remix)(f/ Nelly, 8Ball) - This
track was featured on Nelly's recent remix album,
"Da Derrrty Versions." Produced by Banner, it puts
a twist on the original. There is a rock feel to
it with the electric guitars. Everything is tight
about this track except those electric guitars.
I'd liked it better if it had more bass guitar than
electric.
17. We Ride Them Caddies (f/ Marcus) - Pretty tight
track with Banner doing some tongue twisting -
again sounding if he could have been on some
Three-6-Mafia tracks. Marcus graces this album for
the last time. He shows a lot of promise and I can
see the buzz for his album starting to bubble.
Banner is the star on this track though, don't be
mistaken. Good track.
18. The End (interlude) - David Banner is telling a
story on this one praising Mississsippi.
Overall, I was very impressed with this album.
There was no sophomore slump on this one. I liked
this record a little better than the Mississippi:
The Album. MTA2: Baptized In Dirty Water has the
perfect mix of crunk tracks and slow tracks -
always with a message. Real recognize real and
peeps are gonna have to realize that David Banner
is a lyricist - period. Some may dismiss him
simply because he's from the south but don't get it
twisted, David Banner has skills. Becoming a
sought after producer, Banner will be a force to
reckon with for years to come.
David Banner - MTA 2: Baptized In Dirty Water