a really good ear, he had thousands of albums and was a very big hip-hop fan, he wanted to be a producer. I think that all plays a part in me being a musician now.”
BANKS’ ACCOUNT
In 2016, Ms Banks skyrocketed after a totemic turn on BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Fire In The Booth. The South Londoner has been rising ever since, seeking only to empower. Meet 2018’s recipient of the Women In Music New Artist Award…
------------ BY BEN HOMEWOOD ------------ R 20 | Music Week 12.11.18
ight now, there is no female rapper in the UK blowing up like Ms Banks, who’s taking a break from the studio when Music Week drops in to congratulate her on winning the Women In Music New Artist Award.
“It’s very important to me and I really
appreciate it because I’ve been working for a while now,” says the MC (real name Tyra Banks). “It feels nice to get some recognition, especially as a female doing what I do.” As we’ll find out, Banks’ journey so far has not been an easy ride. The 24-year-old, who used to record vocals in her friends’ wardrobes and was shouted out on Twitter by her idol Nicki Minaj, wants her path to be an example for future generations, and there’s no quality starrier than that...
What did you think the music industry would be like? “I just thought I’d blow up overnight, but I think that was me having a lot of confidence as a young woman. I thought it was going to be much easier than it has been to make my mark. At the beginning, it’s difficult to get people’s attention and make them listen to you. Now I have a team to help make sure my music gets to the right places, in the beginning I was working it out myself.”
Where do you think your confidence comes from? “Growing up I just knew in my heart that I was good at what I do. My family has always been really supportive and my mum and dad always made me feel good about myself. They always made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted. My family is very music-oriented so it was always very easy to be confident about music.”
How did they shape your character?
“My mum was a really good dancer, she could sing and she loved all types of music. She was very much involved in her culture, she loved African music, she loved R&B and hip-hop and that really rubbed off on me at a young age. My dad had
How did South London shape what you do? “It changed my whole energy. Growing up where I did made me more assertive and fierce because I’ve had to always stand for what I want. I’ve had to be powerful and strong, because growing up in places like the Walworth Road and Bermondsey, you have to carry yourself a certain way or people will think they can take you for a ride. I used to be a bit upset, like ‘Why do I have to grow up in this area?’ but I’m happy because it’s made me a stronger person and given me a lot of character. Now, when it comes to business I can assert myself in the right way. It’s not a bad thing.”
Who are your role models?
“My mum, she’s always been a major key, even though she’s not part of the music business. I loved Lauryn Hill, Estelle, Lil’ Kim and Ms Dynamite. I loved that they were aware and they brought something to the game that the men really couldn’t. I loved Lil’ Kim’s realness, I loved that she was free about her sexuality and how she felt about being boxed in. So many men brag about women, cars or clothes and I felt it was nice to hear a woman do that because women should be allowed to.”
Are those boundaries eroding as the years go on? Is it a more level playing field?
“It’s getting much better. So many women are freely talking about certain things and it’s becoming the norm, to the point that some fans are saying they don’t want to hear women talking about their sexuality anymore. I don’t know, I’ve heard men talking about it for years and no one complains, so I don’t think it’s going to stop for now.”
Is talking about this in the public eye important to you? “To an extent. I’m not all for speaking too much on social media because I know that personality and having a voice sell now, but my music is where I express myself, so I think it’s good to save it for that. But when it comes to interviews, I’ll always say my piece on how I feel, it’s important.”
Do you have ambitions outside music? “There are certain things I want to do to give back to the community. I want to educate young people in things like sociology, creative skills, money management, black history, all those things are really important to me. I want to help the next generation be the best they can be. Sometimes, especially growing up in an African household, people want you to be a doctor, lawyer or get a ‘real job’, and when you’re a creative you don’t know what to do or how to go about starting your career. I would love to help young people of all colours, backgrounds and races to achieve their dreams.”
Has your vision as an artist changed over time? “In the beginning I was just expressing myself, then I asked, ‘How do I want people to feel, who am I talking to, who relates to me?’ It’s definitely changed. My whole story is about overcoming and empowerment. I’m coming from little, my journey has always been about coming from nothing and making something of yourself. That’s what I want to push girls and guys that listen to me to do. When I used to listen to Nicki Minaj, even when I felt down and like I couldn’t do anything, her music gave me a different type of energy and confidence to go for what I wanted to go for. I want to do the same through my music, just empower people and make them feel strong, confident, like a boss and let them know they can go for anything.”
musicweek.com
PHOTO: Chris Baker
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