Erica Banks is that gworl. And, whereas her identify and face have continuously been taking on the headlines, there’s a facet to her that many individuals don’t know, however most likely may relate to.
Banks, a local of Dallas, Texas, signed to 1501 Certified Entertainment within the spring of 2019 after enjoying a snippet of her viral hit “Buss It” for the label’s CEO, Carl Crawford, on Instagram Live. Just a few months later, the tune was on nearly everybody’s TikTookay and Instagram feeds catching the eye of celebrities, like Chloe Bailey, Monica, Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union, and lots of extra!
higher late than by no means 😂🥰 #bussitchallange pic.twitter.com/zRIO0CZghu
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) January 21, 2021
However, “Buss It” wouldn’t be the final time this Flow Queen went viral. It looks as if each different day she is both defending herself for one thing she has stated or for somebody she has dated.
A variety of of us are questioning issues that may solely be answered and defined by Miss Banks herself, which is why she sat down solely with The Director of Social Content for The Shade Room Teens, Taylor Bickham, at SXSW to clear the air and provides her perspective of the conditions which have transpired over the previous yr or so, like her misunderstanding with Nicki Minaj, her comparability to Megan Thee Stallion, even the incident when a video from her “Close Friends” was leaked, and extra.
Erica Banks Reflects On How This Past Year Affected Her Mental Health
Taylor Bickham: You had a really busy yr final yr. There was rather a lot that went on. I wish to first discuss how this previous yr has affected your psychological well being.
Erica Banks: Last yr was loopy for me. Really the entire three years has been loopy for me particularly if you find yourself within the media on a regular basis. When you might be within the media on a regular basis, it’s type of like… you must be a sure type of particular person to a sure extent. So, as soon as my thoughts was wrapped round that it affected my psychological well being rather a lot as a result of for a minute I used to be like ‘wow, I really can’t be myself’ with this explicit profession, and I’m simply not used to not being me. So, there’s been quite a lot of occasions the place.. I wouldn’t say I’ve had an identification disaster however I’ve went by means of occasions the place I’m like, rattling, am I her or am I her? It takes a toll on you. I’m nonetheless human. I cry on a regular basis about quite a lot of various things. But, it has made me who I’m. And, I’m nonetheless standing three years later so.. You know.. Shoutout to the person upstairs.
Taylor Bickham: Growing up within the limelight, it looks as if you continue to should reply for errors you made as a child. How does that make you are feeling? How do you cope with it?
Erica Banks: Um… it makes me really feel just like the world is towards me. That’s the way it feels. Of course, as a star… every thing I do is magnified. So, I’ve to be very conscious and cautious of how I say issues, and it may be a bit irritating typically as a result of I don’t ever wish to come off, particularly to my followers, as this faux particular person, and that’s why I’m so actual and so vocal. But, I’ve realized, after going by means of issues to say issues a sure manner in case you’re going to say it. Not a lot filter it.. But, don’t be so… you [Erica] with it. Because typically being an excessive amount of of you’ll be able to rub individuals the improper manner, and also you don’t at all times wish to try this. So, I’ve realized rather a lot. The trade has undoubtedly taught me learn how to maneuver, additionally in a political manner. Where I’m now, I really feel like I’m in a really excellent spot. Even with the errors I’ve made, I don’t remorse something. I really feel like every thing is a studying expertise, and even my expertise, can educate another person eager to do music. At the tip of the day, you simply should take it with a grain of salt. It’s nonetheless life. We’re all nonetheless human and also you simply carry on shifting.
Taylor Bickham: I really feel prefer it’s additionally not simply you being you, but additionally, individuals not understanding the place you might be from. So, there could also be issues which might be understood in Dallas that is probably not understood in New York.
Erica Banks: Right! It’s quite a lot of occasions that once I say sure issues that individuals from Down South understood it, however everybody else was type of like… “why she say that!?” You know? But, such as you stated, it simply is dependent upon who’s receiving it. Because, everybody goes to obtain it otherwise.
Taylor Bickham: With all of the issues that occurred and also you prioritizing your psychological well being, what would you recommend to different individuals which might be eager to be within the highlight?
Erica Banks: As far as psychological well being goes, I’d say to first know and perceive what you might be moving into. Look into it… ask about it… get with people who find themselves within the trade to allow them to perhaps offer you some type of perception earlier than going into it. The second factor can be to… I can’t inform individuals to stay non secular.. Everyone isn’t into that however for me, remaining non secular and at all times speaking to my God has labored for me. So, no matter faith you’ve I’d say faucet into that. That can provide you a heat comfy area to stay in and general encompass your self with individuals who wish to see you win. You know.. That issues. I really feel like… in case you encompass your self with individuals who don’t wish to see you win… you’re by no means going to win since you are your atmosphere.
Erica Banks Says She Would Shoot Her Shot With Erica Mena
Taylor Bickham: I like that you just stated that as a result of I wish to segue into the incident that occurred the place somebody uncovered one thing that was in your shut buddies. Did you must reevaluate your circle? What have been the stuff you needed to do when that incident occurred outdoors of the issues that occurred within the media?
Erica Banks: Yeah completely I needed to reevaluate my circle which isn’t very massive anyway. But, I needed to slim it down even smaller as a result of whoever I think about these individuals to be, they think about themselves one thing else, clearly. Which is just not a good friend. So, I needed to minimize some individuals off. You know.. It was no exhausting emotions. To at the present time I nonetheless don’t know.. I’d like to know.
Taylor Bickham: I used to be about to ask, do you know who?
Erica Banks: I don’t know… I’ve like three contenders however I can’t pin it on no one. You know? And, I’m not the particular person to be like, you probably did it! You know what I’m saying? So, no matter f— it. If I discover out later, I’ll discover out later, however I simply needed to minimize my circle down and now we’re all the way down to a circle that’s not very massive.
Taylor Bickham: With this incident that occurred, I do know you discuss it rather a lot within the media of it being a misunderstanding of what you have been saying and it being a violation of privateness, so what did you imply precisely?
Erica Banks: Yeah, so lots of people, particularly in case you don’t know me, have been misunderstood.. It was taken out of context… and me, like I stated in my final interview, I’m very non filtered. When I communicate it comes off nonetheless the hell I would like it to particularly if I do know you and I do know you already know me so you understand how i imply it. But so far as the kind of ladies I used to be referring to was really… my sort, actually. Because some individuals know, some individuals don’t know.. I like women and men. So, once I go to the membership, I like eye sweet so I’m going to go off of what I feel is cool for me once I get house and I wish to …. But, as I stated in my final interview, every thing isn’t at all times concerning the look of one thing. But, me coming into the trade.. I began to imagine that.. Like okay… this sh— DO matter. It do matter what you appear to be. It do matter what you’ve on, and I took on that thought course of simply from being within the trade and the way it’s and I type of took it upon myself and pondering perhaps that is how I’m purported to do it, so that is the sort I would like. So, I began to observe what was “industry”, which isn’t even me however you already know, I felt like I fell into that simply by being consumed with what I’m round. But now, I simply don’t even press it. If you wish to come out with Erica Banks, cool. Because it was misconstrued and I don’t need individuals to really feel like I’m that sort of lady as a result of i’m actually not. So now, it don’t even matter. Come in case you come. If I feel you wonderful, we are able to get it on later. It’s simply not that deep.
Taylor Bickham: Well with that being stated, what’s your sort?
Erica Banks: I like.. Real juicy. I like.. Bouncy. It don’t should be a BBL. Sh— I ain’t at all times had a BBL, so you already know.. Some of the women I’ve been with ain’t had no BBL. Let’s minimize the BBL sh— out. I really feel like as soon as I bought a BBL. I turned the BBL lady, and it’s by no means that. Skin complexion doesn’t matter. We like all ethnicities. We like Latinos.. We like brownskin… I’ve by no means tried a white lady although…
Taylor Bickham: What about persona smart? What do you cling to?
Erica Banks: Personality smart.. I cling to bubbly. I like social. I don’t like somebody who is simply too quiet. I don’t like no one who don’t prefer to drink. If you don’t do what I love to do, I don’t wish to kick it. Love a reasonably smile.. Don’t should be veneers. I’ve to say rather a lot this as a result of they act like I’m so particular with what I like in my life. As lengthy as she humorous, prefer to have time, she my sort of lady.
Taylor Bickham: Okay, so what about from a man’s perspective?
Erica Banks: Guys… I like somebody who is tough working. I like somebody who is knowing. Secure… Let me say that once more… SECURE. As far as seems to be, I don’t even actually know what my sort is with dudes as a result of I’ll get a dude that appears like this.. And subsequent week I get a man that appears like that. Even rising up my mother used to inform me.. I don’t even know what you want forreal since you at all times simply bringing anyone in right here. So, I don’t actually have a bodily necessities for a dude. If I like him, I like him.
Taylor Bickham: If you might shoot your shot at one superstar (male or feminine) who would it not be?
Erica Banks: You know what.. if it was a girl… I really like me some Erica Mena. Erica Mena is one thing to do.
Taylor Bickham: I really feel like it might be irritating up to now somebody with the identical identify as me.
Erica Banks: I.. suppose that type of would. I by no means performed that — that might be a bit bizarre! I’d most likely discover one other identify to name her… a cute little nickname or one thing. I met her a few weeks in the past, and her vitality was simply so vibrant.. bubbly…. what I like! I used to be like you already know… I may see myself together with her..
Erica Banks Says That She Would Have Been An Entrepreneur If She Didn’t Become A Rapper
Taylor Bickham: How does your loved ones cope with the media storm once they see you within the headlines or going viral?
Erica Banks: They name me on a regular basis. I be telling them “mom and dad you don’t have to call me it’s cool today. I know y’all see me on the blogs, but it’s cool.” But, when it first began occurring they might name me and be like “E, are you okay? We know this is a lot. We know this isn’t you. Just understand this is going to happen forever, just block it out.” You know they’re nonetheless my dad and mom in order that they wish to guarantee that I’m comfy or that I’m good. But at this level, all of us type of perceive that that is what my life is now, in order that they don’t actually panic anymore. They simply name to verify on me to guarantee that I’m good when stuff does occur.
Taylor Bickham: So you talked about earlier that in case you needed to be on this job, on this trade, that’s what this seems to be like, however in case you needed to decide one other job, what different profession would you’ve chosen?
Erica Banks: I’d have been an entrepreneur. I’d have opened a nail store, which I nonetheless wish to do. I’d have opened a magnificence provide. I’d have most likely bought hair. I’d do garments, for certain. I’d get into my cooking factor… most likely promote plates.
Taylor Bickham: You can prepare dinner??
Erica Banks: What?!
Taylor Bickham: What’s your finest dish?
Erica Banks: Baked Chicken!
Erica Banks Says She Wanted A BBL At 16 Before Becoming A Rapper
Taylor Bickham: Haha, okay you discuss getting quite a lot of consideration and backlash for having a BBL, and that is quite common within the trade, however could be very categorized, so inform me what made you make the choice to get a BBL?
Erica Banks: Oh lady once I was in highschool, I knew I used to be going to do it.
Taylor Bickham: Really??
Erica Banks: What? Yes! I knew I used to be going to do. And, I knew I used to be going to do it as a result of I knew what I needed to appear to be. But, I additionally knew that I didn’t wish to go to the fitness center and do it. Because I went to the fitness center once I signed with 1501. They had me within the fitness center for six months, and after these six months I used to be like, I’m uninterested in sweating out my frontal each day. I’m uninterested in spending cash on a wig each two days as a result of I’m sweating on the fitness center. I’m beginning to look good however I’m uninterested in this sh—. They had me selecting up tires, and working relays. I’m like this ain’t my cup of tea. I’d slightly simply get it performed. So, I bought me some cash and I went and bought it performed. I do know lots of people would suppose I bought it performed due to what I do. But, i didn’t know at 16 I’d be rapping. But, I knew at 16, I needed a BBL.
Taylor Bickham: Did you discuss to your dad and mom about it if you have been 16?
Erica Banks: Oh yeah! My mama was like “you don’t need to do that”. She used to point out me photos of botched butts and inform me that is what’s going to occur to me. She nonetheless try this.. I’m like lady…
Taylor Bickham: Were you frightened about the way it could prove?
Erica Banks: Um.. I used to be a bit freaked out when she first began exhibiting me as a result of they’d a TV present about that. She used to make me watch that too. But, I was scared with what I noticed on TV, however i might at all times suppose…”I don’t suppose God gone let that occur to me” and I imply you already know… I additionally really feel like no matter occurs.. purported to occur. God forbid something dangerous occur to me however I’d inform her I really feel what you saying however I’m simply gone strive it simply to see.
Taylor Bickham: In phrases of younger women, how can they nonetheless love their pure our bodies in a world the place we are able to make these sorts of changes? What can be your suggestion to them to have the ability to nonetheless love their our bodies, right now?
Erica Banks: I’d say to younger women. Wait till you grow old to see what you appear to be. You would possibly like your physique by 23. And, in case you don’t, otherwise you wish to improve it, by all means accomplish that. It’s your physique. Whatever you wish to do with it.. Whether you wish to preserve it pure… get a BBL… or no matter. But, so far as loving your self.. I’d say it begins there.
Taylor Bickham: I really feel like lots of people really feel like, “I will love myself more if this happens”, however in case you don’t love your self earlier than you get a BBL, you most likely received’t after.
Erica Banks: Exactly.. It begins inside. I used to be glad inside earlier than I bought a BBL, so now it most likely seems to be like I’m cocky as hell. But, I used to be already glad so it simply began on the within.
Erica Banks Says She Will Still Be A Die-Hard “Barb” Whether She Gets A Feature From Nicki Minaj, Or Not
Taylor Bickham: Now, let’s get into this Nicki Minaj scenario as a result of you’re a Barb, proper?
Erica Banks: Yes I’m.
Taylor Bickham: And, you’re a proud Barb no matter every thing that’s occurred, so what was the misunderstanding?
Erica Banks: Girl…. You know I’ve stated this too, quite a lot of occasions individuals are misunderstood once they don’t know one another. Or, once they’ve by no means spoken to one another, so like, if I by no means met you and also you made a press release about me or no matter and I don’t know you. I may most likely take it the improper manner as a result of I don’t know you. I don’t know the way you meant it. But with my scenario, lengthy story brief… I agreed with a press release that an individual stated and once I agreed with them…. I used to be simply being a brilliant fan of Nicki Minaj. And, I’m similar to… I’d like to work with Nicki Minaj. That’s actually all it was. I feel it was misunderstood on her finish simply because we don’t know one another. So it most likely got here off.. However it did to her, however no matter that I’m nonetheless a Barb. I nonetheless know each phrase. I’m nonetheless listening to “Red Ruby Da Sleeze”. I don’t care what the web say. They like to say “oh she’s just doing that for the feature” or “oh she’s still trying to do this. That’s dead.” And, I’m like if it’s useless, let or not it’s useless, however I’m nonetheless a fan.
Taylor Bickham: So, regardless in case you bought a function together with her or not, you’d nonetheless be a fan?
Erica Banks: I’d nonetheless be a die-hard Nicki Minaj fan. But, she higher name me lol.
Taylor Bickham: Are you continue to blocked?
Erica Banks: Girl, yeah.
Taylor Bickham: Have you reached out since?
Erica Banks: I reached out that very same day from my cooking web page, however I haven’t heard from her since then, so no.
Taylor Bickham: So, in case you may say one thing to Nicki proper now, what would it not be?
Erica Banks: Um… I don’t know… if I needed to come off the highest. I’d be like.. “Now girl… you know”. You know? I’d come at her like an actual particular person. It wouldn’t even be scripted. I’d simply be like, “Girl, you know what I meant. Why you do that?” You know… I’d type of do it on a joking tip as a result of that’s simply my persona. I really feel like she would perceive me if we spoke like how me and you might be talking versus Instagram.
Erica Banks Gives Megan The Stallion Her Flowers & Deads Any Beef Rumors
Taylor Bickham: Outside of the issues that’s occurred with Nicki, one other rap lady that comes up along with your identify rather a lot is Megan The Stallion. How do you are feeling concerning the comparability? Do y’all have a relationship? Is this “beef” simply one thing the web made up?
Erica Banks: Honestly how I really feel about it’s that I’m honored to be in comparison with somebody of such a excessive caliber. Because let’s be actual.. She’s superb. Her music is superb. She’s doing her factor. Salute to her. But, in relation to the comparisons, it’s simply one thing the individuals are going to do. You know.. And, with the web, you must let the web do what it’s gone do, and that’s be messy. That’s flip individuals towards one another. We don’t have an issue. We’ve by no means met in particular person, which is loopy to suppose if you have a look at the web and what they’ve stated. I feel I actually allowed the web to devour me with that — with the entire considered being towards her. I began to really feel like.. “Damn, do we really have a problem?” and someday I noticed… we actually don’t. We really had a dialog again in 2020. Very temporary. Just heartfelt. Just sharing coronary heart to coronary heart lady sh—. But, apart from that. Nah, we haven’t spoken. It’s simply an web factor.
Taylor Bickham: Do you are feeling just like the web and trade does that rather a lot with ladies? Putting them towards one another?
Erica Banks: I feel it’s as a result of they know ladies are catty, and really egotistical. And, they know the boys don’t actually care about all of that. Men aren’t going to trip on the web all day about who higher. They don’t care about that. They’re males. That’s not one thing they even feed into. If something they gone dap one another up, and go kick it on the studio. But women, when any individual say they’re higher than any individual else, it’s like World War III. I feel the web does this with the ladies as a result of they know the ladies are going to go for it.
Erica Banks Reflects On Her Journey To Hip Hop & How Nicki Minaj Inspired Her In fifth Grade
Taylor Bickham: It’s the fiftieth Anniversary of Hip Hop. I wish to segue a bit bit and discuss your journey into Hip Hop. What made you wish to hone into that?
Erica Banks: Honestly.. it was Nicki Minaj! I used to be within the fifth grade, and I feel it was the Drake “Best I Ever Had (Remix)” that she was on, and I used to be like… who is that this lady singing on right here?! I prefer it! And, then it turned out to be Nicki Minaj. You know… I’m in like fifth grade. I’m like.. 11 years previous, and I’m seeing this Barbie lady in pink rap and now I wish to do it. I’ll always remember I bought me a composition e-book two days after listening to that tune, and I needed to do what she was doing. I simply began writing raps. Like, my mother nonetheless bought the composition books. So yeah… she was my greatest inspiration. Growing up, I listened to her [Nicki], Missy Elliot, Lil Wayne, Drake… the entire Young Money period I used to be locked in. Everybody had their very own type. Even at the moment, they nonetheless do. They have been an enormous inspiration on why I went into rap.
Taylor Bickham: With it being Women’s History Month, who’s your Mount Rushmore of Female Rappers?
Erica Banks: It can be Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliot. Hmmm… I’mma should go along with Eve. Then, MC Lyte and Queen Latifah.
Taylor Bickham: What Hip Hop Album Changed Your Life?
Erica Banks: What Hip Hop album modified my life… Pink Friday. Pink Friday, for certain. “Save Me” and “Right Thru Me”…. did rather a lot for me. Even the mixtapes, like.. Chile… I’m a Barb. Come on.
Erica Banks Talks About “Buss It” Going Viral & How She Hated The Song
Taylor Bickham: I wish to discuss to you about “Buss It” going viral.
Erica Banks: I really like speaking about it. That’s like my little one.
Taylor Bickham: Everyone hopped on it!
Erica Banks: What’s loopy is.. I didn’t even like “Buss It”. I wasn’t going to place it out. I had my complete tracklist and I trashed it as a result of it wasn’t adequate. And, once I signed with 1501, Carl and D-Boy, my supervisor… they have been like, “Nah, this is hard. We need to put this out. This is good.” And, I’m like “Ahhh… Whatever” I personally really feel like “Toot That” is a greater tune. Or, on the time I did. So, we put it out and it went viral in below six months, and it was loopy. It was overwhelming
Taylor Bickham: So, who hopped on the problem that you just have been enthusiastic about?
Erica Banks: Girl.. Tracee Ellis Ross. I used to be like what the f—. Like, Gabrielle Union… what the f—-. Monica… what the f—-. Everybody was simply tuned in. But, I feel at that time is once I began to really feel like… okay that is working. Maybe I’m purported to be doing this. Damn, I didn’t even like this tune and it’s doing this. It gave me confidence as an artist, too, as a result of I didn’t just like the tune. So, now, even sh— that I don’t like, I nonetheless put it out.
Taylor Bickham: It’s loopy that you just didn’t just like the tune.
Erica Banks: I hated it. I nonetheless hate it, lol.
Taylor Bickham: Really, why??
Erica Banks: It’s simply I felt like I may do rather a lot higher. But, like in at the moment’s world, it looks as if the less complicated music is what individuals need. If I bought on the “Buss It” beat at the moment. It can be a lot more durable.
Taylor Bickham: Do it. You popping out with a “Buss It” Remix?
Erica Banks: That can be exhausting, huh? You may need stated one thing. You may need simply did one thing proper there.
@realericabanks #BussItProblem 🔥🔥🤣🔥
Taylor Bickham: So, what’s subsequent for you?
Erica Banks: Everything — what’s not subsequent! So, I’m on the brink of drop my single, “Ain’t Got Time” on the finish of this month. We’re enthusiastic about that. We have the video for that, and my followers have been going loopy at my neck about it since December. So, we lastly placing that out, and following that we’ll do press runs and excursions. I did a tour final summer time with Summer Walker and T-Pain. And, I spoke with T-Pain just lately and he’s about to relaunch the following tour, so y’all will most likely see me on that. And, in fact, following the only we can have a challenge.. Merchandise.. I’m moving into my cooking present extra.
Taylor Bickham: So, you’re going to be placing out recipes?
Erica Banks: Oh child, I’m gonna publish a cookbook. I don’t know what I’m going to name it. But, I’m publishing a cookbook this yr. And, you higher purchase it!
Taylor Bickham: If you might say one thing to your followers or The Shade Room readers, what would it not be?
Erica Banks: I’d wish to inform my followers that I really like them dearly. I respect their help from day zero to now. From supporting my Soundcloud music, all the best way to being within the feedback defending me at the moment. And, quite a lot of occasions, if I’m not posting rather a lot, they suppose that one thing’s improper. Or, I be seeing the feedback.. they suppose I’m laid up with a n—–, and typically I do be laid up with a n—-, lol, however at all times know that I’m at all times working whether or not I’m posting or not. I really like my followers. Big shoutout to them, and we locked in without end. Period.