New York-native Azealia Banks went viral on the web with her underground hit “212” featuring Lazy Jay. She’s been praised by critics and fans for her undeniable talent, cool new sound and edgy lyrics, now the 21-year-old rapper/singer is climbing her way to the top. Find out more in her Kidzworld Bio!
Early Azealia
Azealia Banks grew up in Harlem, New York and has two older sisters. When she was just two years old her father passed away, leaving her mother to raise her three daughters alone. Even at a young age Azealia was always interested in acting and singing and by age ten had started performing in off-Broadway musicals with the Tada! Youth Theater in Lower Manhattan and also attended a performing arts high school in Manhattan. By 16 she had already landed a starring role in dark comedy musical called City of Angels, and spurred by her success knew that she wanted to pursue a career as a recording artist.
Miss Bank$ in Montreal
Azealia originally started to release recordings under the name Miss Bank$ and was quickly picked up by XL Recordings. However due to extreme artistic differences she left the label within a year, disillusioned with the industry. She left the name Miss Bank$ behind and packed bags for Montreal to reinvent herself. Using YouTube as a means of getting her music to the public she released a cover of Interpol’s hit song “Slow Hands”, her own original song “L8R” and eventually the song that spread like wildfire through blogs everywhere – “212”. Released in September 2011 as a free download , “212” had listeners enthralled, mixing both her incredible skills as a lyricist, rapper and singer.
She recently released a full length vid for the song "Licorice"
Broke With Expensive Tastes
After the overnight success of “212” Banks started to work on her debut album with British producer Paul Epworth who helped produce Adele’s album 21. In February of this year she announced that the title of her debut album is Broke with Expensive Tastes, and in May she announced she would be releasing the mixtape Fantasea and released the track “Jumanji”. She also released the track "NeedSumLuv” featuring Aaliyah on the late R&B singer’s 33rd birthday and had her song "Bambi" picked up for Paris Fashion Week and also put out the extended play 1991 in the UK. She managed to land on tastemaker NME's "Cool List" and the BBC's "Sounds of 2012", and is set and ready to take over the rap world.
Have Your Say
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