Azealia Banks Brings Her Silver Tongue to Club Nokia

Stephanie Hernandez

She’s tough, she’s unapologetic, she’s lyrically sharp and oh yeah, she’s only 23-years-old. Azealia Banks is the young New York born rapper catching the attention of anyone with a functioning set of ears. First catching fire with the release of her 2012 EP, “1991” Banks has proven herself well capable of creating wildly original hip-hop fused tracks. Currently on tour promoting her long awaited debut album, “Broke With Expensive Taste,” now is the time to catch this silver-tongued Rapunzel spit some serious truth at Club Nokia April 16.

Born in Manhattan raised in Harlem, Banks has always had a deep investment in the performing arts. Heavily involved in theater at a young age, she was able to utilize her natural singing and acting talents in many off-Broadway musicals at the mere age of 10. Later becoming a student at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, Banks found the environment stifling and dropped out to pursue her career in music. In 2008 Banks adopted the moniker, “Miss Bank$” and began steadily releasing her original music through social media channels like MySpace, where XL Recordings heard the young rapper and was finally able to sign the feisty star. Her debut single, “212” was released on her “1991 EP” garnering Banks critical accolades from all over the globe. Citing creative differences as the reason, Banks separated from her label, dropped her pen name, and finally became the Azealia Banks we know today. At the time an unsigned artist, Banks began working with British producer Paul Epworth (Paul McCartney, Adele, Coldplay) in 2012 on what was to become her debut album. The release of “Broke With Expensive Taste” was delayed to late 2014 due to various legal and creative issues; Azealia eventually took matters into her own hands and unexpectedly dropped her album early for online purchase. The long awaited record did not disappoint. Released on her own label, “Broke With Expensive Taste” mixed everything from Latin, funk, hip-hop, and trap styles into a kaleidoscopic non-stop assault on your senses in the best way possible.

Azealia Banks is an acquired taste. A little rough around the edges, she is unafraid of pushing the envelope, of offending other’s sensibilities or pleasing anyone but herself. Though some may see this as cockiness a la Kanye West, it is this exact quality of her lack of inhibition that makes her such an amazing act to see live. She has a fire that is apparent on stage and one that isn’t going out any time soon.

Catch Azealia Banks at Club Nokia April 16. Tickets available here.