Balenciaga Banks has been a consistent artist over the years and we finally got a chance to talk to him about his last two projects, his business eye opener, his upcoming album and what we should expect in the next few months.
(A&D) We are glad to finally get a minute to chop it up with you Banks, we have been following your music for a while now and instead of us talking about it, why don’t you bring the people up to date on who you are as an artist and your musical background.
(Balenciga) I appreciate it boss. I was 12 years old, growing up in downtown Cincinnati, and traveling around the neighborhood B&G clubs, as part of the West End community schools project and performing as the main character in the play “By the Time”.., now I’m 20′ years in. My music comes from many different concepts and inspirations; like the inspiring lives around me, what I feel, or have experienced,.. plus my friends and good people in my life.
(A&D) Balenciaga Banks interesting name, how did you come up with this name?
(Belenciag) Back in 07′ my professor in design school sarcastically called me Cristobal Balenciaga, a nickname for “The Master of Us All”. Mainly because of the competitive approach I take towards my work. The whole school knew me as Balenciaga,.. from the Director of Fashion,.. to Jay Jay; who was the cool ass security guard. “Banks”, is just a part of my last name and I’ve been called that by my friends since a youth.
(A&D) So, your from Cincinnati, Ohio or is it Miami FL?
(Balenciaga) I’m from The Lincoln Courts in Cincinnati, Ohio but transferred to Miami, FL and now I’m living in LA.
(A&D) Ok, and with that being said, how did each place of residency transformed you as an artist?
(Balenciaga)
After I graduated, I also lived in New York for a short time and I did my internship with Polo Ralph Lauren. (Club Monaco) Having been blessed with the ability to live in some of the worlds most beautiful and inspirational places, I must say there’s a culture in each location that draws many people from everywhere, too them.
What I should say is,.. my eyes, ears, and actions, plus with the experiences I’ve enjoyed in those places have shaped the thought, concepts and metaphors I deliver through my music. Whether it’s the choice of production, song structure or the mix behind my songs.
(A&D) Your last release was Made And Crafted and before that was Champagne Wishes And Caviar Dreams, we were lucky enough to get a chance to review both of these projects of yours. Specifically, on ‘Made And Crafted,’ we never got a chance to ask you what was your favorite song off that project and why?
(Balenciaga) And I definitely appreciate y’all listening with your musical ear and expertise for both of them. My favorite joint off “Made and Crafted” is “Explicit Ways”.. the reason being is the message. I basically wrote it from a place of being frustrated with the idea of PC or “politically correct” and the conformity we’ve become as a society…everything’s weak, everyone’s soft and offended now-a-days.
(A&D) Damn bro, we can definitely relate to that from our experiences with writing for A&D. That’s the truth. Speaking on the “Made And Crafted” project, we enjoyed your video for “Can’t Help Myself” when it dropped, can you speak on that?
(Balenciaga)
Yeah, I faced a real business eye opener… They charged more for insurance because it was a Hip Hop/rap video. *laughs* You have to pay extra for the inexistent happening, because of the fear of rowdiness and turn up that takes place on Hip Hop video shoots. No Bullsh*t.
(A&D) You latest single released is called “100 Jimmy Choos”, seems like your heavy into fashion and designer clothes and you can hear it in your song titles. Are you hoping that music will open different doors in your career, such as fashion?
(Balenciaga)
I’m not looking to cross-breed anything. I have been gifted with an ability to design garments and still work for top companies in the fashion industry as creative designer, you can check my resume.
Plus, if people like to listen, download or pay attention to the music I send out into the world, I’m proud of it and I’m very appreciative of them.
(A&D) Lets talk more about this new record, it seems to be gaining speed with over 3000, downloads in the past few days alone. We have our guesses but, who produced the new single “100 Jimmy Choos?
(Balenciaga) The record was co-worked by producers Best Kept Secret and PureFire Mumbles.
(A&D) Let’s give them a chance to check that song out:
https://soundcloud.com/poor-rich-kids/balenciaga-banks-100-jimmy-choos
(A&D) We are big fans of the strings and your delivery was executed like we expect should from a Balenciaga Banks song. We noticed you have it on iTunes as well, and available for pick up as we speak, your fans and the people should go and support it. With that being said, whats the name of the new project you are working on and when can we expect it?
(Balenciaga)
It’s called “The Last Great Note”, it’s an Ep and will be a third quarter summer-fall transitional release, so we are looking at early fall,.. maybe August.
(A&D) We’ve seen the cover floating around on the internet so we have to show our audience that doesn’t know:
(A&D) Alright, now here at A&D we like to asked some quick questions off the top and without going into detail, we need you to tell us your answers.
Favorite Alcohol Beverage?
(Balenciaga)
Johnnie Walker Black, straight on the rocks bro.
(A&D) Most embarrassing song in MP3 player?
(Balenciaga) Toxic – Brittany Bitch.
(A&D) Your favorite Mainstream Artist?
(Balenciaga) JAY Z.
(A&D) When you’re not doing music, what are you doing?
(Balenciaga) Playing Rec league flag football.
(A&D) Most Inspirational person in your life?
(Balenciaga) My Grandfather.
(A&D) Favorite Movie?
(Balenciaga) Austin Powers 1 through 3.
(A&D) Now, For the people who never heard of your music before and you had one song to “make or break” a fan, what would be your go to song?
(Balenciaga) Balenciaga Banks “Unpolished Diamond.”
https://soundcloud.com/balenciagabanks/12-unpolished-diamond
https://soundcloud.com/balenciagabanks/chuck-ridin
So with the new project on the way and after the success of your last two mix tapes, what can we expect on this next release?
(Balenciaga) You can expect a shift in content and production. I’ve collaborated with special talent in the music industry and it’s time to make the masses familiar with my brand of hip-hop…so with being said..more of what you want but on steroids. “BIGGER & BETTER”.
(A&D) Can you give some insight on who will be on the project and some producers you are working with?
(Balenciaga) Some artist featured would be Breezy Bernanke, Yves Gamble, Alana, Mizgin and Poetic as for the producers I linked with PureFire Mubles, Christian Rich, Devin Cruise, DK The Punisher, Steve Lawrence, Bambino, Best Kept Secret OSYM, KAMA and more.
(A&D) It sounds like you have another great project on the way and we look forward to checking it out when it’s released. Make sure you send it through so we can have it on the page and with us inside the A&D Lounge.
Anything else you want to say? Shouts outs? Etc?
Balenciaga) Yeah, shout out to Caviar and Cigarettes, The Dapper Faction Sweden, Tony Whole OKC, Oscar Ashley Reid, family Boy and #一百周仰杰
(A&D) Balenciaga, you’ve been a hard-working artist always reach out to us and we salute you for that. Thanks for taking a minute to chop it up with us! Appreciate this brother.
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