Erica Banks is that gworl. And, whereas her identify and face have continuously been taking up 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 taking part in a snippet of her viral hit “Buss It” for the label’s CEO, Carl Crawford, on Instagram Live. A couple of months later, the track was on virtually everybody’s TikTook and Instagram feeds catching the eye of celebrities, like Chloe Bailey, Monica, Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union, and plenty of extra!
However, “Buss It” wouldn’t be the final time this Flow Queen went viral. It looks like each different day she is both defending herself for one thing she has stated or for somebody she has dated.
Plenty of people are questioning issues that may solely be answered and defined by Miss Banks herself, which is why she sat down completely 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 12 months 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 12 months final 12 months. There was quite a bit that went on. I need to first speak about how this previous 12 months has affected your psychological well being.
Erica Banks: Last 12 months 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’re within the media on a regular basis, it’s form of like… it’s important to be a sure form of individual to a sure extent. So, as soon as my thoughts was wrapped round that it affected my psychological well being quite a bit as a result of for a minute I used to be like ‘wow, I really can’t be myself’ with this specific profession, and I’m simply not used to not being me. So, there’s been numerous instances the place.. I wouldn’t say I’ve had an identification disaster however I’ve went by way of instances 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 numerous 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 like you continue to must reply for errors you made as a child. How does that make you’re feeling? How do you take care of 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… all the pieces I do is magnified. So, I’ve to be very aware and cautious of how I say issues, and it may be somewhat irritating typically as a result of I don’t ever need to come off, particularly to my followers, as this pretend individual, and that’s why I’m so actual and so vocal. But, I’ve discovered, after going by way of issues to say issues a sure manner for those who’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 all the time need to try this. So, I’ve discovered quite a bit. The business has undoubtedly taught me how one can maneuver, additionally in a political manner. Where I’m now, I really feel like I’m in a really excellent place. Even with the errors I’ve made, I don’t remorse something. I really feel like all the pieces is a studying expertise, and even my expertise, can train another person desirous to do music. At the tip of the day, you simply must take it with a grain of salt. It’s nonetheless life. We’re all nonetheless human and also you simply carry on transferring.
Taylor Bickham: I really feel prefer it’s additionally not simply you being you, but additionally, individuals not understanding the place you’re from. So, there could also be issues which are understood in Dallas that will not be understood in New York.
Erica Banks: Right! It’s numerous instances that once I say sure issues that folks from Down South understood it, however everybody else was form of like… “why she say that!?” You know? But, such as you stated, it simply relies on 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 are desirous to be within the highlight?
Erica Banks: As far as psychological well being goes, I’d say to first know and perceive what you’re entering into. Look into it… ask about it… get with people who find themselves within the business to allow them to perhaps offer you some form 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 all the time speaking to my God has labored for me. So, no matter faith you may have I’d say faucet into that. That can provide you a heat comfy house to stay in and general encompass your self with individuals who need to see you win. You know.. That issues. I really feel like… for those who encompass your self with individuals who don’t need to see you win… you’re by no means going to win since you are your setting.
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 need to segue into the incident that occurred the place somebody uncovered one thing that was in your shut pals. Did it’s important to reevaluate your circle? What had been the belongings you needed to do when that incident occurred exterior of the issues that occurred within the media?
Erica Banks: Yeah completely I needed to reevaluate my circle which isn’t very large anyway. But, I needed to slender it down even smaller as a result of whoever I take into account these individuals to be, they take into account themselves one thing else, clearly. Which is just not a buddy. So, I needed to minimize some individuals off. You know.. It was no laborious emotions. To this present day 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 person. You know? And, I’m not the individual 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 large.
Taylor Bickham: With this incident that occurred, I do know you speak about it quite a bit within the media of it being a misunderstanding of what you had been saying and it being a violation of privateness, so what did you imply precisely?
Erica Banks: Yeah, so lots of people, particularly for those who don’t know me, had been misunderstood.. It was taken out of context… and me, like I stated in my final interview, I’m very non filtered. When I converse it comes off nevertheless the hell I need it to particularly if I do know you and I do know me so you understand how i imply it. But so far as the kind of ladies I used to be referring to was truly… my kind, 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 residence and I need to …. But, as I stated in my final interview, all the pieces isn’t all the time in regards to the look of one thing. But, me coming into the business.. I began to imagine that.. Like okay… this sh— DO matter. It do matter what you appear to be. It do matter what you may have on, and I took on that thought course of simply from being within the business and the way it’s and I form of took it upon myself and considering perhaps that is how I’m purported to do it, so that is the sort I need. So, I began to comply with what was “industry”, which isn’t even me however , 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 need to come out with Erica Banks, cool. Because it was misconstrued and I don’t need individuals to really feel like I’m that kind of woman as a result of i’m actually not. So now, it don’t even matter. Come for those who come. If I feel you fantastic, we are able to get it on later. It’s simply not that deep.
Taylor Bickham: Well with that being stated, what’s your kind?
Erica Banks: I like.. Real juicy. I like.. Bouncy. It don’t must be a BBL. Sh— I ain’t all the time had a BBL, so .. Some of the ladies I’ve been with ain’t had no BBL. Let’s minimize the BBL sh— out. I really feel like as soon as I received a BBL. I grew to become the BBL woman, 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 woman although…
Taylor Bickham: What about character 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 person who don’t wish to drink. If you don’t do what I love to do, I don’t need to kick it. Love a reasonably smile.. Don’t must be veneers. I’ve to say quite a bit this as a result of they act like I’m so particular with what I like in my life. As lengthy as she humorous, wish to have a very good time, she my kind of woman.
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 appears, I don’t even actually know what my kind 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 all the time 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 may shoot your shot at one movie star (male or feminine) who wouldn’t it be?
Erica Banks: You know what.. if it was a lady… I like me some Erica Mena. Erica Mena is one thing to do.
Taylor Bickham: I really feel like it could be irritating to this point somebody with the identical identify as me.
Erica Banks: I.. suppose that form of would. I by no means completed that — that might be somewhat 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 power was simply so vibrant.. bubbly…. what I like! I used to be like … 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 take care of 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’d 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 mother and father in order that they need to ensure that I’m comfy or that I’m good. But at this level, all of us form of perceive that that is what my life is now, in order that they don’t actually panic anymore. They simply name to test on me to ensure that I’m good when stuff does occur.
Taylor Bickham: So you talked about earlier that for those who wished to be on this job, on this business, that’s what this appears like, however for those who needed to choose one other job, what different profession would you may have chosen?
Erica Banks: I’d have been an entrepreneur. I’d have opened a nail store, which I nonetheless need to do. I’d have opened a magnificence provide. I’d have most likely offered 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 speak about getting numerous consideration and backlash for having a BBL, and that is quite common within the business, however may be very categorized, so inform me what made you make the choice to get a BBL?
Erica Banks: Oh woman 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 wished to appear to be. But, I additionally knew that I didn’t need 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 a very good six months, and after these six months I used to be like, I’m bored with sweating out my frontal day by day. I’m bored with 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 bored with this sh—. They had me choosing up tires, and operating relays. I’m like this ain’t my cup of tea. I’d moderately simply get it completed. So, I received me some cash and I went and received it completed. I do know lots of people would suppose I received it completed due to what I do. But, i didn’t know at 16 I’d be rapping. But, I knew at 16, I wished a BBL.
Taylor Bickham: Did you speak to your mother and father about it once you had 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 woman…
Taylor Bickham: Were you anxious about the way it could end up?
Erica Banks: Um.. I used to be somewhat 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’d all the time suppose…”I don’t suppose God gone let that occur to me” and I imply … 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 attempt it simply to see.
Taylor Bickham: In phrases of younger ladies, 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 ladies. Wait till you become old to see what you appear to be. You would possibly like your physique by 23. And, for those who don’t, otherwise you need to improve it, by all means achieve this. It’s your physique. Whatever you need to do with it.. Whether you need to hold 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 for those who 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 joyful inside earlier than I received a BBL, so now it most likely appears like I’m cocky as hell. But, I used to be already joyful 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 state of affairs as a result of you’re a Barb, proper?
Erica Banks: Yes I’m.
Taylor Bickham: And, you’re a proud Barb no matter all the pieces that’s occurred, so what was the misunderstanding?
Erica Banks: Girl…. You know I’ve stated this too, numerous instances 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 understand how you meant it. But with my state of affairs, lengthy story quick… 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 identical 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 lifeless, let it’s lifeless, however I’m nonetheless a fan.
Taylor Bickham: So, regardless for those who received 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, for those who may say one thing to Nicki proper now, what wouldn’t it 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 individual. 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 form of do it on a joking tip as a result of that’s simply my character. I really feel like she would perceive me if we spoke like how me and you’re 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 woman that comes up along with your identify quite a bit is Megan The Stallion. How do you’re feeling in regards to 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 wonderful. Her music is wonderful. She’s doing her factor. Salute to her. But, on the subject of the comparisons, it’s simply one thing the individuals are going to do. You know.. And, with the web, it’s important to 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 individual, which is loopy to suppose once 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 sooner or later I noticed… we actually don’t. We truly had a dialog again in 2020. Very temporary. Just heartfelt. Just sharing coronary heart to coronary heart woman sh—. But, apart from that. Nah, we haven’t spoken. It’s simply an web factor.
Taylor Bickham: Do you’re feeling just like the web and business does that quite a bit 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 lads don’t actually care about all of that. Men aren’t going to shuttle 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 ladies, 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 need to segue somewhat bit and speak about your journey into Hip Hop. What made you need 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 woman 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 woman in pink rap and now I need to do it. I’ll always remember I received me a composition ebook two days after listening to that track, and I wished to do what she was doing. I simply began writing raps. Like, my mother nonetheless received 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 immediately, they nonetheless do. They had been a giant 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 must go together 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 quite a bit 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 need to speak to you about “Buss It” going viral.
Erica Banks: I 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 entire 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 had 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 track. Or, on the time I did. So, we put it out and it went viral in underneath six months, and it was loopy. It was overwhelming
Taylor Bickham: So, who hopped on the problem that you just had 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 track and it’s doing this. It gave me confidence as an artist, too, as a result of I didn’t just like the track. 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 track.
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 quite a bit higher. But, like in immediately’s world, it looks like the less complicated music is what individuals need. If I received on the “Buss It” beat immediately. It can be a lot more durable.
Taylor Bickham: Do it. You popping out with a “Buss It” Remix?
Erica Banks: That can be laborious, huh? You might need stated one thing. You might need simply did one thing proper there.
@realericabanks #BussItProblem 🔥🔥🤣🔥
♬ Buss It – Erica Banks
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 lately and he’s about to relaunch the subsequent tour, so y’all will most likely see me on that. And, after all, following the only we can have a challenge.. Merchandise.. I’m entering 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 12 months. And, you higher purchase it!
Taylor Bickham: If you may say one thing to your followers or The Shade Room readers, what wouldn’t it be?
Erica Banks: I’d need to inform my followers that I like them dearly. I admire their help from day zero to now. From supporting my Soundcloud music, all the best way to being within the feedback defending me immediately. And, numerous instances, if I’m not posting quite a bit, 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 all the time know that I’m all the time working whether or not I’m posting or not. I like my followers. Big shoutout to them, and we locked in endlessly. Period.