The always outspoken, rapper/activist David Banner is back with a visual that makes a statement of its own. For "Magnolia," the lead single from his 2017 release The God Box, Banner partners with CeeLo Green, who is featured on the track, to create a powerful video showcasing a kaleidoscope of poignant images of everything from historical scenes of racism to present-day glimmers of hope. We watch Banner spit his verse, dressed in African attire, standing under a mighty magnolia tree. He’s surrounded by black women and men, some also adorned in cultural dress, while others are in chains. This contrast, shown amidst flashes of photos of KKK rituals and segregation, serve as a stark reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
For CeeLo’s verse, we watch as his tale of a black police officer killed by police plays out, punctuated by images of magnolia flowers splattered with blood and on fire. Though Raheem DeVaughn, also featured on the track, is noticeably missing from the visual, his portion of the song is paired with symbolic scenes of a black woman and a burning magnolia flower transposed with images of the earth as the video fades out. This dramatic portrayal is masterfully done and is just as provocative as it is artistic. We’ve come to expect nothing less from the Mississippi native who continues to use his platform to educate and inspire.
Check out David Banner’s riveting visual for “Magnolia” below. Given that The God Box, hailed as one of best albums of 2017, included a 24-page booklet with lyrics and art to accompany each song, a visual rich in imagery comes as no surprise. Check out his website for more items related to the album including t-shirts, pins and wristbands. Between making music and speaking engagements, Brother Banner stays booked and busy these days, so keep up with him and all his moves on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
