For the past few months, Lay Bankz has been a mainstay on all social media platforms. Whether it be X (formerly known as Twitter) or TikTok, Lay Bankz’s reach continues to grow by the month. The rapper, who hails from Philadelphia and is just 19 years old, follows a simple philosophy: Make good music and make sure it lands in people’s faces. It’s an idea that’s become the status quo in today’s social media era, especially in recent years with the presence of TikTok. It also presents the harder task of not being too much in the faces of the audience where they feel trapped, get annoyed, and run for the fences. There’s a balance to be mastered here.
Time will tell if Lay Bankz masters this, but it’s been so far so good for her. Her rise to fame kicked off last summer with the release of “Ick.” The bass-thumping addresses the “sassy man apocalypse” and begs men to “tighten the f*ck up.” The song went viral thanks to a video of Bankz dancing to it at a gas station. Her moves, which were energetic to say the least, forced you to stop and watch. The same could be said about her latest viral moment, pushed by her new single “Tell Ur Girlfriend.” The hype single is wildly infectious and begs for a few listens before moving on to something else. Both records, as well as her debut EP Now You See Me, are proof that Lay Bankz wants your attention, and she knows just how to get it.
With more music on the way, we caught up with Lay Bankz for the Uproxx Music 20 series. Scroll down to learn more about the rising Philly rapper.
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What is your earliest memory of music?
I remember music from the time I was 3 years old. The first song I ever sang was “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé.
Who inspired you to take music seriously?
Honestly, myself. Music is a form of expression and it’s subjective. Once I learned I could say how I felt in another form of conversation, I took advantage of that.
Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, which one? If not, which instrument do you want to learn how to play?
I grew up playing violin, I play a little piano too. I wanna get better at the piano and hopefully start playing guitar.
What was your first job?
Sweeping in my stepdad’s barbershop.
What is your most prized possession?
My voice. It’s a gift that I can’t see or touch. Intangible, but not unattainable. It’s brought so much to my life and I couldn’t hold anything else to such high value.
What is your biggest fear?
Not being able to sing. Or not being able to take care of the people who rely on me.
Who is on your hip-hop Mt. Rushmore?
Missy Elliott, Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, and Jay-Z.
You get 24 hours to yourself to do anything you want, with unlimited resources: What are you doing? And spare no details!
I would create jobs with the resources for everyone in need.
What are your three most used emojis?
😭💖🙈💁🏽♀️ — I couldn’t pick between these four.
What’s a feature you need to secure before you die?
Raye.
If you could appear in a future season of a current TV show, which one would it be and why?
Bridgerton, only because I’ve been watching it a lot recently.
Which celebrity do you admire or respect for their personality, and why?
Beyoncé, the way she controls any narrative placed upon her on any platform is admirable as ever. She always shows a sense of resilience, and she never does too much nor does she try hard to be herself. I love that about her.
Share your opinion on something no one could ever change your mind about.
Black-own everything.
What is the best song you’ve ever heard in your life, and what do you love about it?
That’s hard to say, there are so many songs I love. Doubling down on only one would be unfair because I grew up on so much music that I love for different reasons. Even to this day, I hear new music all the time that I appreciate for different reasons.
What’s your favorite city in the world to perform, and what’s a city you’re excited to perform in for the first time?
Philly, the love different from your own city. I’m excited to go out of the country and show my talents overseas.
You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location where it would be held.
Latto, Flo Milli, Cash Cobain, NLE Choppa, and Tyla in Atlanta.
What would you be doing now if it weren’t for music?
I don’t know. Maybe playing soccer or painting professionally. Whatever I would be doing would involve some sort of creativity or me being active because those are things I love. I got accepted to 23 colleges too, so maybe I would’ve went to school to study law.
If you could see five years into the future or go five years into the past, which one would you pick and why?
The past, just to visit moments and feelings I feel like I didn’t get to feel entirely because of how fast they happened. I experience so much every day and my life moves so fast that it’s easy to not entirely take in what’s happening to me. I wouldn’t want to see the future because I’m gonna always get there. Why rush to see what’s already written?
What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?
Love yourself first, because not everyone will love you how they say they do.
It’s 2050. The world hasn’t ended, and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?
I want my music to be held in high regard, I want it to be timeless. 2050 and after.
