Rapper and producer David Banner was instrumental in the Dirty South takeover of mainstream hip-hop music at the turn of the century. Banner has released four major label solo albums and has been a producer for many Southern rap artists, like T.I. and Lil Wayne. The biggest name in rap to come out of Mississippi, Banner is now known more for his activist work and discourse on race in America. Banner has testified before Congress in regards to racism and misogyny in rap, and has made appearances on CNN and other news outlets in regards to the Hurricane Katrina aftermath and the events in Ferguson. Banner has released a few independent mix tapes in recent years, but has largely left his megastardom and the music industry behind.