Additional personnel: Dead Prez, Elephant Man, Jadakiss, Jazze Pha, Lil Jon, Talib Kweli, Carl Thomas.
Following up the one-two punch of MISSISSIPPI: THE ALBUM and MTA2, David Banner unleashes 2005's CERTIFIED, a solid record that continues the Dirty South rapper's winning streak. There are no throwaway intro/interlude numbers here, just grimy, unfiltered hip-hop tracks. The disc kicks off with the forceful "Lost Souls," which features Banner's gruff voice perfectly complemented by a distorted guitar riff and burbling beats. Despite the numerous guest shots (Lil Jon, Jadakiss, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, and many more), some of CERTIFIED's best tracks showcase Banner alone, especially the pounding, X-rated single "Play" and the chiming California-rap tribute "Westside." Relentlessly fierce and unapologetically sleazy, Banner plays to his strengths on this album, and the result is Southern rap at its finest.