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'''Azealia Amanda Banks''', formerly known under the pseudonym '''Miss Bank$''' (born May 31, 1991,) is an American [[Rapping|rapper]], singer and [[lyricist]] from [[Harlem]], [[New York]] signed to [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]/[[Polydor Records|Polydor]]. She rose in notability in 2011 when she topped [[NME]]'s "Cool List" for the year. On December 5, 2011, the [[BBC]] announced that Banks had been nominated for the [[Sound of...|Sound of 2012]], where she ultimately finished third.<ref name="so12">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/soundof/2012/artists/azealiabanks/|title=BBC Sound of 2012 - Artist Profile > Azealia Banks|publisher=BBC|date=2012-01-04}}</ref> Her debut single, "[[212 (song)|212]]" featuring Lazy Jay, was released on December 6, 2011.<ref name="212release"/>
'''Azealia Amanda Banks''', formerly known under the pseudonym '''Miss Bank$''' (born May 31, 1991,) is an American [[Rapping|rapper]], singer and [[lyricist]] from [[Harlem]], [[New York]]AND STOLE A BEAT FROM MUNCHI signed to [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]/[[Polydor Records|Polydor]]. She rose in notability in 2011 when she topped [[NME]]'s "Cool List" for the year. On December 5, 2011, the [[BBC]] announced that Banks had been nominated for the [[Sound of...|Sound of 2012]], where she ultimately finished third.<ref name="so12">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/soundof/2012/artists/azealiabanks/|title=BBC Sound of 2012 - Artist Profile > Azealia Banks|publisher=BBC|date=2012-01-04}}</ref> Her debut single, "[[212 (song)|212]]" featuring Lazy Jay, was released on December 6, 2011.<ref name="212release"/>


==Early life==
==Early life==

Revision as of 04:39, 26 September 2012

Azealia Banks
Banks performing at the NME Awards at the Brixton Academy in London in February 2012
Banks performing at the NME Awards at the Brixton Academy in London in February 2012
Background information
Also known asMiss Bank$, B.A.N.K.S
BornMay 31, 1991 (age 21)
OriginHarlem, New York, United States
GenresHip hop, house, hip house, dirty rap, electronic, witch hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, singer, lyricist
Years active2009–present
LabelsXL, Interscope, Polydor
Websiteazealiabanks.com

Azealia Amanda Banks, formerly known under the pseudonym Miss Bank$ (born May 31, 1991,) is an American rapper, singer and lyricist from Harlem, New YorkAND STOLE A BEAT FROM MUNCHI signed to Interscope/Polydor. She rose in notability in 2011 when she topped NME's "Cool List" for the year. On December 5, 2011, the BBC announced that Banks had been nominated for the Sound of 2012, where she ultimately finished third.[1] Her debut single, "212" featuring Lazy Jay, was released on December 6, 2011.[2]

Early life

We grew up in the hood, but we had some money. But I moved out when I was 14 to go live with my older sister, because my mom just had, well… issues. After my dad died, my mom became really abusive – physically and verbally. Like she would hit me and my sisters with baseball bats, bang our heads up against walls, and she would always tell me I was ugly. I remember once she threw out all the food in the fridge, just so we wouldn’t have anything to eat. It was like growing up a feral child, being raised by this person who was always yelling and screaming, hitting you and dragging you around and shit. Granted, she never had any drug or drinking problems - her house was clean, her hair was always done, and we had stuff - but she still fucked me up real bad.

–Banks talking of her childhood.[3]

Banks was born in 1991. Her mother raised her and two older sisters in Harlem, after their father died when she was two years old. At a young age she became interested in musical theater, acting, and singing. Aged ten, she began performing in off-Broadway musicals with the Tada! Youth Theater in Lower Manhattan. She had lead roles in three productions (Rabbit Sense, Sleepover, and Heroes) in addition to performing as a soloist. Banks was trained in the performing arts at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. At the age of sixteen, Banks starred in a production of the comedy-noir musical City of Angels. She never finished high school, instead choosing to follow her dream of becoming a recording artist.

Career

2009-10: Career beginnings

Under the moniker 'Miss Bank$', she released her debut recording "Gimme a Chance" onto the internet in February 2009.[4] The recording was accompanied by "Seventeen", a track produced by American DJ Diplo which sampled the Ladytron song of the same name.[4] Later that year, Banks signed to record label XL Records and began working with producer Richard Russell; leaving the label later that year due to conflicting ideas.[1][5]

2011-present: 1991, Fantasea and Broke with Expensive Taste

"Richard [Russell] was cool, but as soon as I didn't want to use his beats, it got real sour. He wound up calling me 'amateur' and the XL interns started talking shit about me. It just got real fucking funny. I was like, 'I didn't come here for a date. I came here to cut some fucking records.' I got turned off on the music industry and disappeared for a bit. I went into a bit of a depression."

-Banks talking of her departure from XL Recordings.[5]

Following her departure from XL Recordings, Banks left behind the 'Miss Bank$' moniker and formally became Azealia Banks, which preceded a move to Montreal. Using YouTube as a portal, Banks uploaded several demo tracks - including "L8R" and a cover of "Slow Hands" by Interpol. In September 2011, Banks released her debut single "212" as a free digital download from her website, which was subsequently released officially on December 6, 2011 as the lead single from one of Banks' future releases.[2] The track attained European chart success, peaking at number seventeen in Netherlands, number twelve in the United Kingdom and at number seven in Ireland.[6][7][8]

Though unsigned at the time, Banks began working with British producer Paul Epworth on a debut studio album. It was announced in December 2011 that Banks would feature on "Shady Love", a track from American band Scissor Sisters' fourth studio album, though the feature would remain uncredited. An accompanying music video was released in January 2012 following its radio première from Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1) on January 4,[9] though the release of the single was cancelled for unconfirmed reasons. January 16, 2012 saw Banks release the track "NEEDSUMLUV (SXLND)" on the Internet, coinciding with what would have been the thirty-third birthday of the late singer Aaliyah, who is sampled on the track.[10] A week later saw the emergence of a second track entitled "Bambi", which having been produced by Paul Epworth, had been selected as the soundtrack for a Mugler fashion show in Paris.[11] It was then in February that Banks revealed the tentative title of her upcoming debut album, Broke with Expensive Taste.[12][13]

In May 2012, Banks announced plans to release a mixtape—originally titled Fantastic—entitled Fantasea.[14] Preceding its release was the track "Jumanji", released online on May 11.[15] A second track from the mixtape, "Aquababe", was made available online on June 13,[16] while the third, "Nathan"—featuring rapper Styles P—was made available online on June 30.[17] Fantasea was released via Banks' Twitter account on July 11,[18] and was succeeded by the unveiling of Banks' online radio project, 'Kunt.FM' the following week.[19]

Banks' first extended play, 1991, was released in the United Kingdom on May 28 and in the United States the following day.[20] The four-track play, of which "212" featured, was not eligible for the UK Albums Chart, but the title track charted at number seventy nine on the UK Singles Chart and number one hundred and thirty-three on the Billboard 200. Having originally announced in January 2012 that filming for the "Liquorice" music video had begun in Paris, France with Lady Gaga stylist Nicola Formichetti,[21] Banks proceeded to re-shoot the video with Rankin joining her as the video's director. The final edition was released online on June 14.[22]

Banks schedulded to release her second single "Esta Noche" on 25th September 2012, but was then pushed back to a undicsclosed date due to disputes between Banks and producer Munchi.[23]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details
Broke With Expensive Taste

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak positions
US US
R&B 		US
Rap 		AUS
Urban 		IRE UK
[25]
1991 133 17 12 18 81 79

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Album details
Fantasea
  • Release: 11 July 2012[14]
  • Label: Independent[14]
  • Format: Digital download[14]

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[27] 		BEL (Fla)
[28] 		BEL (Wal)
[29] 		IRE
[7] 		NLD
[6] 		SCO
[30] 		UK
[8]
"212"
(featuring Lazy Jay) 		2011 68 17 34 7 17 12 12 1991
"Esta Noche" [31]
(featuring Munchi) 		2012 — — — — — — — Fantasea
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of featured singles, with year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Shady Love"
(Scissor Sisters vs. Krystal Pepsy featuring Azealia Banks) 		2012 Magic Hour

Guest appearances

Title Year Album
"Can't Stop Now" (Kicks Like a Mule Remix)
(Major Lazer featuring Azealia Banks) 		2010 Lazers Never Die
"Blue Jeans" (Smims & Belle Remix)
(Lana Del Rey featuring Azealia Banks) 		2012 Blue Jeans — (US Remixes)
"Bad Girls" (Danja N.A.R.S. Remix)
(M.I.A. featuring Missy Elliott & Azealia Banks) 		Bad Girls — (Remixes)
"Ratchet"
(Lady Gaga featuring Azealia Banks) 		— ARTPOP

Music videos

Song Year Director Reference
"L8R" 2011 BBGUN [32]
"212" Vincent Tsang [33]
"Shady Love" 2012 Hiro Murai [9]
"Liquorice" Rankin [22]
"Van Vogue" [34]
"1991" Justin Mitchell [35]
"Esta Noche" Adria Petty [36]
"Neptune" — —
"Luxury" Rankin —

Awards and nominations

Year Organisation Award Result
2011 BBC Sound of 2012 Sound of 2012[1] Third
2012 NME Awards Philip Hall Radar Award[1] Won
Billboard Awards New Style Icon[37] Won

Tours

References

  1. ^ a b c d "BBC Sound of 2012 - Artist Profile > Azealia Banks". BBC. 2012-01-04.
  2. ^ a b "Azealia Banks - '212' - Digital Download". iTunes (UK). Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  3. ^ "Azealia Banks Opens Up On Troubled Past: "My Mother Told Me I Was Ugly"". Thatgrapejuice.net. 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  4. ^ a b "Miss Banks releases 'Seventeen' and 'Gimme a Chance' from Myspace". Freeload. 2009-02-06.
  5. ^ a b "Azealia Banks has pop at XL Recordings". The Quietus. 2012-01-05.
  6. ^ a b "Dutch 100 Chart Information". Hit Parade. 2012-04-07.
  7. ^ a b "GFK Chart Track". Irish Recorded Music Association. 2012-03-30.
  8. ^ a b "UK Singles Chart Archive". 2012-04-09.
  9. ^ a b "Scissor Sisters reveal new single 'Shady Love' - Music Video". DigitalSpy. 2012-01-03.
  10. ^ "Azealia Banks - NEEDSUMLUV (SXLND) > featuring Aaliyah". Crack in the Road. 2012-01-16.
  11. ^ "Azealia Banks releases 'Bambi' online". stereogum. 2011-01-27.
  12. ^ "Who is Azealia Banks?". Complex. 2012-02-14.
  13. ^ "Hot Tracks" profile, Lisa Robinson, Vanity Fair, June 2012 (p. 90)
  14. ^ a b c d "Azealia Banks confirms release schedule". Digital Spy. 2012-05-10.
  15. ^ "Azealia Banks debuts new track, 'Jumanji', online". Digital Spy. 2012-05-11.
  16. ^ "Azealia Banks debuts new track, 'Aquababe', online". Digital Spy. 2012-06-13.
  17. ^ "Azealia Banks unveils 'Nathan' artwork". idolator. 2012-06-30.
  18. ^ "Azealia Banks announces release of her Fantasea mixtape via twitter". Retrieved 2012-07-13.
  19. ^ "Azealia Banks unveils Kunt.FM". Azealia Banks. 2012-07-18.
  20. ^ "Azealia Banks - 1991 - Digital EP". iTunes (UK). Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  21. ^ "Azealia Banks and Nicola Formichetti working on new video". MTV. 2012-01-12.
  22. ^ a b "Azealia Banks releases "Liqourice" video". Pitchfork Media. 2012-06-14.
  23. ^ "@azealiabanks no releasing my track, being a spoiled brat, releasing coverwork, release dates before even reaching out is a good look right?". Twitter/@originalmunchi. 2012-09-25.
  24. ^ "Azealia Banks Announces 'Broke With Expensive Taste' Debut Album Release Date". The Versed. 2012-08-18. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  25. ^ "Chart Archive > Azealia Banks - '1991 EP'". ChartArchive. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  26. ^ "Azealia Banks confirms '1991' EP tracklist". Digital Spy. 2012-05-15.
  27. ^ Australian Chart Positions:
    * For "212": http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=39278&pages=
  28. ^ "Ultratip Chart Information". Ultratop. 2011-12-17.
  29. ^ "Ultratop Chart Information". Ultratop. 2011-12-24.
  30. ^ "Scottish Singles Chart Archive". 2012-04-09.
  31. ^ "Azealia Banks announces new single, 'Esta Noche'". Digital Spy. 2012-09-24.
  32. ^ "Azealia Banks - L8R > Directed by BBGUN". Youtube. 2011-12-07.
  33. ^ "Azealia Banks - 212 featuring Lazy Jay > Directed by Vincent Tsang". HighSnobiety. 2011-12-07.
  34. ^ "Shooting 'Van Vogue' tomorrow!". Twitter/@AZEALIABANKS. 2012-05-27.
  35. ^ Minsker, Evan. (2012-09-02). "Video: Azealia Banks: "1991"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
  36. ^ "Mother Kunt is headed to NYC to rehearse for "1991" & "Esta Noche," vids". Twitter/@AZEALIABANKS. 2012-05-27.
  37. ^ "Full List of 2012 Billboard Music Awards Winners". perezhilton.com. Perez Hilton. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  38. ^ "NME Awards Tour 2012 Line-Up revealed". NME. 2011-11-07.
  39. ^ "Azealia Banks announces UK headline tour". DigitalSpy. 2012-02-13.

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