Azealia Banks

At 32 years old, Azealia Banks has this physical status:

Life and career

Azealia Banks was born in New York City's Manhattan borough on May 31, 1991, and she was the youngest of three children. Since her father died of pancreatic cancer when she was two years old, her single mother raised her and her two children in Harlem. Banks claims that her mother "became extremely abused" as a result of her father's death. She's like she'll murder me and my sisters with baseball bats, bang our heads against wall, and she'll always tell me she was ugly. I can recall once she threw out all the food in the fridge so we didn't have anything to eat." Banks moved out of her mother's house at age 14 to live with her older sister as a result of increased violence.

At a young age, bankers became interested in musical theater, dancing, acting, and singing. She appeared in a production of the comedy-noir musical City of Angels, where she was discovered by an agent who sent her to auditions for TBS, Nickelodeon, and Law & Order, all without success at age 16. At this point, Banks has opted to suspend her acting career due to a fierce rivalry and general sense of nonfulfillment. She began writing rap and R&B songs as a creative outlet because of the lack of fulfillment. She dropped out of high school and instead concentrated on her aspirations to become a recording artist.

"Gimme a Chance," the moniker of Miss Bank$, she released her debut album, "Gimme a Chance," online on November 9, 2008. The album was accompanied by self-produced track "Seventeen," which sampled the Ladytron song of the same name. Both tracks were sent by the bank to American DJ Diplo. Later this year, she signed a development contract with record label XL Recordings and began working with producer Richard Russell in London, but left the label later this year due to conflicting expectations.

Banks dropped the 'Miss Bank' moniker and officially became Azealia Banks, which followed a move to Montreal after leaving XL Recordings. She released several demo tracks, including "L8R" and a version of Interpol's "Slow Hands" on YouTube, as a portal. Banks returned to New York after her Canadian visa expired, where she sold keychains at a Manhattan jazz club and danced at a Queens strip joint to make ends meet. "I was really sad at that time," Banks said. "I don't have a boss, I don't have a boyfriend, I don't have any acquaintances, and I don't have any money." I am working at a strip joint, trying not to say the wrong thing and get into fights with these girls who don't have a clue."

Banks released her debut single, "212," as a free digital download from her website in September 2011. On December 6, 2011, as the lead single from her EP 1991, it was officially unveiled on December 6, 2011. The track achieved European moderate chart success, peaking at #14 in the Netherlands, #12 in the United Kingdom, and #7 in Ireland.

Although unsigned at the time, banks began collaborating with British producer Paul Epworth on their first studio album. In December 2011, it was announced that she would appear on "Shady Love," a track on American band Scissor Sisters' fourth studio album, Magic Hour. Following Annie Mac's radio premiere on January 4, a accompanying music video was released in January 2012, but the single's release was cancelled for unconfirmed reasons. On January 16, 2012, bankers unveiled "NEEDSUMLUV (SXLND)," coinciding with the 33rd birthday of late singer Aaliyah, who was not included on the list. The debut of "Bambi," produced by Paul Epworth and selected as the soundtrack for a Thierry Mugler fashion show in Paris a week later.

Banks revealed plans to debut Fantasea, which was originally named Fantastic. "Jumanji," "Aquababe," and "Nathan" (featuring rapper Styles P) were pre-ordered for release online. On July 11, Fantasea's Twitter account was revealed, but Banks' online radio service, Kunt.FM, was launched the following week.

On May 28 and the next day, the bank's first EP, 1991, was released in the United Kingdom and in the United States. The 4-track EP, which features 212, was not eligible for the UK Albums chart, but the title track chart rose to #79 on the UK Singles chart, with a number of 212. It also climbed to #133 on the US 200 chart, ranked #17 on the US Rap chart, #12 on the US Rap chart, and #17 on the US Heat chart, as well as the headin's US Heat chart. The Australian Recording Industry Association awarded gold in 2013.

On September 25, 2012, Banks was set to debut "Esta Noche," from Fantasea, but it was postponed the day of its release due to sampling conflicts between Banks and its manufacturer, Munchi. Banks had collaborated with Lady Gaga on two songs, "Ratchet" and "Red Flame," on Gaga's third studio album, Artpop (2013), but they did not make the final album cut and have not been announced. In addition, Banks has admitted that she worked with Kanye West on G.O.D. Cruel Summer's compilation album Music's compilation album However, she did not make it to the final cut. "BBD" debuted on December 31, 2012, and it was later discovered on her debut album, Broke with Excessive Taste.

Banks revealed that Broke with Excessive Taste would be released early in 2012, and that the album would feature contributions from musicians including Toko Yasuda, Theophilus London, Kevin Hussein, and Ariel Pink. She expected that the album's lead single would be called "Miss Amor" and that it would be joined by a B-side, "Miss Camaraderie," which Lone's own, but that plans were changed in January 2013: "Yung Rapunxel" will be the album's first official single.

Banks reported in May that "ATM Jam," Broke with Extensive Taste's second single, would feature Pharrell. She performed the song at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival on June 29, with New York City radio station Hot 97 premiering a clean, shortened version of the studio recording three days later. On July 11, BBC Radio 1's complete studio version of "ATM Jam" was released. In November 2013, the bank announced that "ATM Jam" would not be on Broke with Extensive Taste due to poor fan feedback and personal disinterest in the song.

Banks revealed in mid-July that after a lengthy battle, she had parted ways with Universal Music Group, which had disbanded the bank. She is said to have the right to the Interscope job she received. On July 28, 2014, Banks unveiled the official second single from Broke with Extensive Taste, titled "Heavy Metal and Reflective," as part of her own label, Azealia Banks Records.

On November 7, 2014, a bank in Prospect Park announced Broke with Exquisive Taste under Prosper Park on iTunes. On March 3, 2015, the physical album was released. Banks performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2015 and posed for nude for the April issue of Playboy, a photograph by Ellen von Unwerth. Banks revealed in late 2015 that she was unable to perform new music until March 2016, owing to the breakup of her company, Prospect Park, but that as of February 2016, she was officially released new music.

With its official video taken to Vevo in April, Banks released "The Big Big Beat" in February 2016. The track will be released on March 24, 2016, and it will be the lead single to Banks' second mixtape, Slay-Z. Slay-Z's independent record company, Chaos & Glory Recordings, was reissued to iTunes, Spotify, and other online music stores in July 2017. The Lunice partnership "Crown" was included in the re-issue, and it was announced as the project's sole compensation track.

CheapyXO, Banks' online store, was launched in early 2017. The site features artist work from banks as well as original skin care products. "CheapyXO Radio" also appears on the website, referring to a playlist curated by Banks herself. Banks will relaunch the site in 2020 to include her podcast, Cheapy's Two Cents, as well as "Botantica XO," which is a collection of spiritual items.

Fantase II: The Second Wave, a follow-up to 2012 mixtape Fantasea, has been announced by the bank. On June 5, 2017, Banks released "Chi Chi" as the lead single from Business & Pleasure, but it was later demoted to a stand-alone single. "Escapades," Banks' promotional single from the forthcoming album Fantase II: The Second Wave, appeared on June 26, 2017. Banks returned to New York City after a year absence from touring, with 20 dates all around the United States and Canada. The tour started in Chicago on October 4 and ended in San Francisco on October 31. During 2017, banks also appeared in a handful of shows around Europe.

Banks will make her RZA-directed musical drama film Coco (also known as Love Beats Rhymes) in 2015. On December 1, 2017, the film was officially released.

Banks announced on January 31, 2018 that she had signed a US$1 million contract with Entertainment One, the bank's largest ever signing. "Movin' On Up" was the 2nd promotional single from Fantasea II: The Second Wave, released on March 9, 2018. The song was first performed in Banks' film Love Beats Rhymes, which was also starred in. "Anna Wintour" would be her first official single from her forthcoming album in March 2018. It was announced on April 6, 2018, and the single's official music video was released on May 24, 2018. "Treasure Island" was released on July 6, the second single on the Internet. Banks revealed on her Instagram account in November that the Christmas-themed EP Icy Colors Change would be released on December 7. In December 2017, a preview of the title track was released. After multiple delays, the project was announced on December 19 with the slogan, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" "On December 13, he was released on December 13. On April 12, 2019, Fantasea II: The Second Wave, "Playhouse," was the second wave's exclusive commercial single on SoundCloud. Periscope, the bank, the first teaser of the song, appeared on Periscope, the live streaming service.

In 2019, the banks will be split from eOne Music. Consequently, banks revealed in May that she had been working on a project dubbed Yung Rapunxel: Pt. II. With Exquisite Taste, the title honors Banks' debut single off the coast of Broke called "Yung Rapunxel." On September 11, 2019, it was first announced on SoundCloud before being taken offline later. In November 2019, the bank will cover Elle Russia.

On December 16, 2019, Banks released "Count Contessa" and "Pyrex Princess" as promotional singles on various streaming platforms. Business and Pleasure's Pyro Princess was a song that appeared on August 22, 2018 before being taken down. Count Contessa, a Fantase II tribute to Fantasea II, was released on SoundCloud in 2013. On December 8, 2015, Rony Alwin's "Count Contessa" music video, shot in Bali, Indonesia, was first published.

Banks launched her podcast Cheapy's Two Cents in the first quarter of 2020, including "Slow Hands," an Interpol cover that was previously published in 2012, as well as "Salchichón" by frequent collaborator Onyx. In addition, Banks released several songs exclusively on her SoundCloud, including "Diamond Nova," which appeared and performed by Pharrell, as well as "Nirvana," the Spanglish version.

Banks unveiled the lead single from her forthcoming album Business & Pleasure titled "Black Madonna," starring producer Lex Luger, on June 9, 2020. On December 23, 2020, Banks released "Mamma Mia" as a promotional single on all platforms, where it had previously appeared on her SoundCloud account before being unveiled on her SoundCloud account since April 2020. On January 7, 2021, Banks released "Six Flags," the second single from Business & Pleasure starring Slim Dollars.

Banks released "Fuck Him All Night" on July 7, 2021. Months later, a perfume of the same name was launched. She was also under new control at the bank.

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