Think back to 2012: Kimye was a pre-marital pair, iPhone 5c’s and 5s’ were only concepts, and you probably weren’t even on the ‘gram. One more thing to add to this nostalgic list: Azealia Banks released the dancefloor banger 212 and everyone—Attic Heads, included—was crazy about the hit.
However, after that the artist seemed to be more known for by social snakiness, getting into numerous disputes with various celebrities and producers (Iggy Azalea, T.I, Kendrick Lamar, to name a few) which cost her record deal with Universal. Ouch. But, she’s back with a vengeance!
After over an 1100 day music hiatus since releasing 212, she dropped her debut album Broke with Expensive Taste and it has received critical-acclaim. Let’s not call it luck: Azealia is a complicated, raw, and outspoken woman who refuses to strip her music to appease status-quo-seekers. We can’t get enough of her and her mantra, which are so clear in her lyrics: testaments to her depth and realness. The lyrics to Soda—one of the title songs on the album— is one clear example:
SODA – lyrics – I tried to hide behind tired eyes, i sigh. i’m tired of trying to try not to cry and, I say… http://t.co/KZBqPI9cwy
— AZEALIA BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS)
When Azealia is brought up in conversation, there’s this underlying need to defend her views, but maybe it’s time we stop: She is unique, fiercely independent, and a complex artist with a revolutionary angle. How can we ever give shade to such a spirit?
Azealia Banks at the 2012 NME Awards. Image courtesy of Tim Boddy.
By the way, if you happen to be on the West Coast in April, and like Ms. Banks as much as we do, we’ve found her tour dates listed on Song Kick. You’re welcome. She’ll be at the 2015 Coachella festival, too and maybe you can catch other Attic Head approved artists like Drake, The Weeknd, Ghostface Killah and Ab-Soul, while you’re at it.
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