Azealia Banks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Azealia Banks
Banks in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Azealia Amanda Banks
Also known as	Miss Bank$ Азилька
Born	(1991-05-31) May 31, 1991 (age 34) New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop hip house pop rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer songwriter actress
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Parlophone Prospect Park E1 Chaos & Glory Interscope Polydor XL

Azealia Amanda Banks (/əˈziːliə/ Ə-zee-LEE-ə; born May 31, 1991) is an American rapper and singer. She grew up in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. She started sharing her music on Myspace in 2008. At 18, she signed with XL Recordings. Later, she worked with other labels like Interscope and Polydor Records. In 2013, she became an independent artist. She even started her own record label, Chaos & Glory Recordings.

Azealia Banks's song "212" was a big hit in 2011. Music magazines like Rolling Stone called it one of the best songs of the year. Since then, she has released several music projects. These include three mixtapes: Fantasea (2012), Slay-Z (2016), and Yung Rapunxel Pt.II (2019). She also released a studio album, Broke with Expensive Taste (2014), and two extended plays (EPs): 1991 (2012) and Icy Colors Change (2018). In 2017, Banks also started acting. She played the main character in the movie Love Beats Rhymes. Critics have praised her music for mixing different styles. These styles include house, rap, pop, electronic music, and avant-garde.

Azealia Banks is also known for her strong opinions. She often shares her thoughts on social media, especially about U.S. politics and race. She has also had public disagreements with other artists.

Life and Career Highlights

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Azealia Amanda Banks was born on May 31, 1991. She grew up in Manhattan, New York City, with her two older siblings. Her mother raised them.

From a young age, Banks loved musical theater. She enjoyed dancing, acting, and singing. When she was 16, she performed in a musical called City of Angels. An agent saw her and sent her to auditions for TV shows. She tried out for TBS, Nickelodeon, and Law & Order. However, she didn't get those roles. Banks then decided to focus on music instead of acting. She started writing rap and R&B songs. She chose to follow her dream of becoming a recording artist.

In 2008, she released her first song online. It was called "Gimme a Chance." She used the name Miss Bank$ at the time. She also released a song called "Seventeen." Banks sent these songs to American DJ Diplo. Later that year, she signed a deal with XL Recordings. She worked with producer Richard Russell in London. However, she left the label because they had different ideas.

2011–2012: 1991 and Fantasea Releases

After leaving XL Recordings, she changed her name to Azealia Banks. She moved to Montreal. She uploaded many demo songs to YouTube. These included "L8R" and a cover of "Slow Hands". Banks later said she was feeling down during this time.

In September 2011, Banks released her first single, "212." It was a free download from her website. The song was officially released on December 6, 2011. It was the main song from her EP 1991. "212" became popular in Europe. It reached #14 in the Netherlands and #12 in the United Kingdom.

Banks performing at the Art Basel in Miami Beach, 2012

Banks started working on her first studio album. She worked with British producer Paul Epworth. In December 2011, it was announced she would be on a song called "Shady Love". This song was for the band Scissor Sisters. Banks released another song, "NEEDSUMLUV (SXLND)," online in January 2012. A week later, "Bambi" came out. This song was chosen for a Thierry Mugler fashion show in Paris.

In May 2012, Banks announced a new mixtape. It was first called Fantastic, then Fantasea. Before it came out, she shared songs like "Jumanji" and "Aquababe." Fantasea was released on July 11 through Banks's Twitter. She also started an online radio project called Kunt.FM.

Banks's first EP, 1991, was released in May 2012. It had four songs, including "212." The title track reached #79 on the UK Singles chart. It also did well on various US charts. In 2013, 1991 was certified gold in Australia.

Banks planned to release "Esta Noche" from Fantasea in September 2012. But it was pulled due to issues with the song's sample. She also worked with Lady Gaga and Kanye West. However, her songs with them did not make it onto their final albums. On December 31, 2012, Banks released "BBD." This song later appeared on her first album.

2013–2016: Broke with Expensive Taste and Slay-Z

Banks performing at Life Ball 2013

In early 2012, Banks shared that her first album would be called Broke with Expensive Taste. She said it would feature other musicians. She first planned for "Miss Amor" to be the main single. But in January 2013, she announced "Yung Rapunxel" as the first official single. It was released in March 2013.

In May 2013, Banks said "ATM Jam" would be the second single. It featured Pharrell. She performed the song at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival. The full song was released in July. However, in November 2013, Banks decided "ATM Jam" would not be on her album. This was due to fan feedback and her own feelings about the song.

Banks performing at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival

In July 2014, Banks announced she had left Universal Music Group. She kept the rights to her music. On July 28, 2014, she released "Heavy Metal and Reflective" on her own label.

Banks then surprise-released Broke with Expensive Taste on iTunes. This happened on November 7, 2014. The physical album came out in March 2015. In late 2015, she faced issues releasing new music. This was because of her separation from her label, Prospect Park. But by February 2016, she was free to release new songs.

In February 2016, Banks released "The Big Big Beat." This song was the main single for her second mixtape, Slay-Z. Slay-Z came out on March 24, 2016. In July 2017, Slay-Z was re-released. It included a bonus song called "Crown."

2017–Present: Icy Colors Change and New Music

Banks performing at the O2 Brixton Academy in September 2024

In early 2017, Banks launched her online store, CheapyXO. It sells her merchandise and skincare products. The site also has "CheapyXO Radio," a playlist she created. In 2020, she updated the site to include her podcast, Cheapy's Two Cents.

Banks announced her next project, Fantasea II: The Second Wave. This would be a follow-up to her 2012 mixtape. On June 5, 2017, she released "Chi Chi." On June 26, 2017, she released "Escapades" from Fantasea II. After a break from touring, Banks went on a North American tour. She performed in 20 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

In 2015, it was announced that Banks would act in a film. It was a musical drama called Coco, later known as Love Beats Rhymes. The movie was released on December 1, 2017.

On January 31, 2018, Banks signed a new record deal. On March 9, 2018, she released "Movin' On Up." This song was also in the film Love Beats Rhymes. In March 2018, she announced "Anna Wintour" as the first official single for her new album. It came out on April 6, 2018. A second single, "Treasure Island," was released on July 6. In November, Banks announced a Christmas-themed EP. It was called Icy Colors Change and was released on December 19.

Banks left eOne Music in 2019. She then announced a project called Yung Rapunxel: Pt. II. It was released on SoundCloud in September 2019.

In December 2019, Banks released "Count Contessa" and "Pyrex Princess." "Count Contessa" had been on SoundCloud since 2013. A music video for "Count Contessa" was released in 2015.

In early 2020, Banks started her podcast Cheapy's Two Cents. She also released new songs. These included "Slow Hands" and "Salchichón." She also put out songs like "Diamond Nova" and "Nirvana" on SoundCloud.

On June 9, 2020, Banks released "Black Madonna." It featured producer Lex Luger. On December 23, 2020, she released "Mamma Mia." Banks released "Six Flags" with Slim Dollars on January 7, 2021.

On July 7, 2021, Banks released the single "... Him All Night." She also shared that she had new management.

Banks teased a song called "New Bottega" in August 2022. On November 9, she announced she signed with Parlophone Records. In January 2023, she said she left Parlophone. She decided to release "New Bottega" independently. After some delays, "New Bottega" was released on March 10, 2023. It was a collaboration with Australian producer Torren Foot. However, Banks later said she did not approve the release. She also felt the song was marketed incorrectly.

Artistry and Inspirations

Banks looks up to American artists Beyoncé and Aaliyah. She has called Beyoncé "the queen of everything." Banks also finds inspiration in black gay culture. For example, she has used ideas from the film Paris Is Burning in her music.

After writing "212," Banks created an alter ego. This is like a different personality she uses in her music. She calls this alter ego "Yung Rapunxel." She got the name Rapunzel because she wore a very long weave when she worked at Starbucks as a teenager.

Personal Life and Views

In October 2019, Banks announced she would perform as Azilka (Russian: Азилька) in some countries.

In February 2021, Banks shared that she was engaged to artist Ryder Ripps. But the next month, she announced their relationship had ended.

Health and Well-being

Banks has been open about her well-being. In 2020, she was asked to seek support for her mental health. She has also spoken about having bipolar disorder.

Political Views and Opinions

Banks is known for speaking out publicly. She often talks about African-American civil rights issues.

In 2016, Banks shared her thoughts on Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. She later changed her mind in October 2016.

In April 2022, Banks posted on Instagram about the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. She also praised Russia's president Vladimir Putin.

Banks moved from Los Angeles to Miami in 2021. In January 2023, she said she felt "way safer" in Florida. She also praised Florida's governor Ron DeSantis.

In July 2024, Banks attended a rally for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign in Florida. The day before the election, she posted that she would vote for Kamala Harris. She said she was worried about Elon Musk's involvement with Trump. But on November 6, she posted an image that looked like her ballot. It showed Donald Trump selected. She wrote, "I lied, I voted for Trump yesterday."

Discography

Studio albums

• Broke with Expensive Taste (2014)

Filmography

Tours

Headlining Tours

• Mermaid Ball (2012–13)
• Broke with Expensive Taste Tour (2014–15)
• Azealia Banks: North American Tour (2017)
• Back to the Union Jack (2024)

Featured Act

• ShockWaves NME Awards Tour (2012)

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

• 

  Banks in 2018

See also

In Spanish: Azealia Banks para niños