Exclusive | Texas Lyricist Antoine Banks is Heavily Slept On
By: Omar Cook
We talked with Texas rapper, Antoine Banks, in and exclusive interview! Antoine is a dope lyricist from Odessa, Texas and is heavily slept on! This artist brings a smooth sound, with melodic hooks, versatile verses and an explosive delivery! Making music is his only hobby, as he writes a lot of songs and is deeply committed to the song structure when he writes. Antoine makes music that is relatable with substance, and even the songs that are strictly for entertainment will have you feeling like he's telling your story!
Check out his latest track, Visions of Forever
We talked with Antoine Banks in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Antoine Banks: I’ve been making music since 2004 just for fun, I didn’t take it serious until 2012 though. My older brother was big on making music and I had been writing poetry since I was in 3rd grade so my transition into hip-hop was pretty simple.
QUESTION: Musically, what are your biggest influences and who are your favorite musicians?
Antoine Banks: Life is my biggest influence. I like to write about more than what you find in the typical hiphop/rap song. Don’t let that fool you and think that all I do is story tell like J. Cole, I’m really big on not being boxed in, so I’m extremely versatile. Something similar to Drake, or Big Sean, they still have the commercial music but you will still find those storytelling songs on their albums as well, I feel like I’m able to write about diamonds, money and hoes as well as write about being broke and struggling and making it out of that struggle, or write songs about depression and making it out of that. My favorite musicians would be Kanye, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Big Sean, Nas, Eminem, and Lil Wayne. Outside of Hip-hop I’m a big fan of song writers like Ed Sheeran, Adele, Chris Stapleton etc.
Antoine Banks - “Clements” (Music Video)
QUESTION: What musician would you most like to collaborate with and why?
Antoine Banks: Kanye West & Pharrell no doubt. Production wise I don’t think anyone can touch either of them, also Pharrell always has his own style in everything that he does. I feel like our personalities would mesh really well.
QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song you've ever released and why?
Antoine Banks: That’s a good question, and it changes everyday. I have a personal relationship with all of my music, I’m dedicated to my lyrics and my songs to the core. I’d have to say my favorite song is “Trapped” which hasn’t been officialy released just yet. It is a metaphorical song about a “No Strings Attached” relationship. Its very passionate and dives deep into the emotional side of not having emotions….if that makes sense haha
QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Antoine Banks: I define success as standing in front of thousands of people and having them sing my lyrics back to me word for word. I define success as my mom waking up and not having to go to work. I define success as giving all of my friend’s jobs where they don’t feel like they work a day in their life. I have a lot of work to do before I reach that success but I’m on the right track.
QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas?
Antoine Banks: I pay attention to people, I’m mindful of my surroundings and what’s going on in the present moment of my life. I take to those experiences and create from them. I often times dive back into my past and write about previous moments I’ve experienced as well.
QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people?
Antoine Banks: I use the word “relatable” a lot. I enjoy telling stories, I enjoy when people listen to my music and feel like I’m speaking about their personal life experiences or even their life in general.
QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Antoine Banks: I believe the formula to being a successful artist is having a committed team committed to the same goal.
QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Antoine Banks: My biggest inspiration right now would be my Moms. Not gunna lie, I gotta make sure she’s well taken care of throughout life. I owe her that much.
Antoine Banks - “I Love Myself” (Music Video)
QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Antoine Banks: Kendrick Lamar hands down not even close. He has successfully built commercial success will remaining a conscious rapper. Which is really hard to do in this day and age, in the “INSTA” generation, listeners don’t really enjoy lyrics that much, more so beats and adlibs. The fact that Kendrick has carved himself a spot at the top with his formula is remarkable to me.
QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Antoine Banks: BiPolar. You get a bit of everything.
QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Antoine Banks: I’ve missed birthdays, weddings, graduations and even funereals do to my dedication. It has consumed my life but I wouldn’t trade it for anything
QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Antoine Banks: Writing is my favorite hands down, its all I do and all I ever think about. Finding beats is my least favorite, I’ll legit dig through hundreds of hundreds of beats before I find the perfect one lol
QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Antoine Banks: I see myself touring around the world, in a Curren$y type of role. Not to big, but still very well known. Making enough money to support my kids kids while also still being able to walk through target. That’s what I want.
QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Antoine Banks: Don’t make the music people like, make people like the music you make.
QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Antoine Banks: Pressing play on any Antoine Banks song will be the best decision you have ever made in your entire life.
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