Azealia Banks

Azealia Banks is a rapper-singer whose undeniable talent on the mic is often overshadowed by her confrontational personal style. Born in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood in 1991, Banks escaped a difficult childhood by pursuing her love of musical theater. She dropped out of high school and sought a recording career. After several stops and starts, she self-released her debut single, ‘212,’ in 2011. Early the next year, she announced that her debut studio album would be titled ‘Broke With Expensive Taste.’ The album, which finally dropped in late 2014, included the singles ‘Yung Rapunxel’ and ‘ATM Jam,’ featuring Pharrell. The outspoken and brash Banks continues to make headlines for her public beefs with several other celebrities, most notably Iggy Azalea and Lady Gaga.

Selected discography: ‘1991’ EP (2012), ‘Fantasea’ mixtape (2012), ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’ (2014)
Related artists: Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Beyonce
Further reading: Azealia Banks Talks Fashion + Quitting Rap, Watch Azealia Banks’ ‘No Problems’ Video, Azealia Banks Reveals Party Style Secrets

Azealia Banks Talks Twitter Beefs in Vibe
Azealia Banks Talks Twitter Beefs in Vibe
Azealia Banks isn't one to mince words, and she certainly doesn't do that in her Vibe cover story. The 'Liquorice' rapper shares her cover with collaborator Diplo, though she does all the talking. She dropped a slew of F-bombs, as well as commentary on other artists, in her interview with the hip-hop mag.
Azealia Banks Turns Down Opportunity to Tour With Nicki Minaj, Starts Twitter Beef
Azealia Banks Turns Down Opportunity to Tour With Nicki Minaj, Starts Twitter Beef
Duty calls for Azealia Banks. The up and coming rapper had to turn down the opportunity to tour with Nicki Minaj on the European leg of the latter's Pink Friday arena tour. WTF? Is she cray cray? Nah, turns out she is still working on her debut platter, 'Broke With Expensive Taste.' While it has to sting to pass up to the chance to tour with Minaj, Banks needs to get the record done.
Azealia Banks Is Face of Alexander Wang’s T Line
Azealia Banks Is Face of Alexander Wang’s T Line
Uber "It" rapper Azealia Banks is the face of designer Alexander Wang's diffusion line, dubbed "T." What a pairing, since Banks is one of the hottest, up and coming names in pop music and Wang is a favorite designer among young and stylish celebs.
Azealia Banks Releases Free ‘Fantasea’ Mixtape
Azealia Banks Releases Free ‘Fantasea’ Mixtape
Rapper Azealia Banks is making huge waves in the music game with her fiery rhymes and sassy attitude. The Harlem, N.Y., native has been able to carve a niche and separate herself from the Nicki Minaj comparisons. Just watch her video for 'Liquorice' and you can see that she's far from a Harajuku Barbie.
M.I.A. Grabs Missy Elliott + Azealia Banks for ‘Bad Girls’ (N.A.R.S. Remix)
M.I.A. Grabs Missy Elliott + Azealia Banks for ‘Bad Girls’ (N.A.R.S. Remix)
Rapper M.I.A. has been dropping a slew of remixes this past week for her latest single 'Bad Girls,' which will all appear on her 'Bad Girls -- The Remixes' EP (due out on July 3). M.I.A.'s newest remix was crafted by Danja's production company N.A.R.S. and it features Missy Elliott and Azealia Banks -- two ladies who know how to spit lyrical hot fire.