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“212” is one of the hottest jams of the summer; its offensive-boastful lyrics and catchy dance beat have infected ears of many. If you haven’t heard this song, listen to it now. Why, you ask? This young artist will soon be everywhere. We are talking about one of rap’s freshest talents, 21-year-old Azealia Banks, a girl from the streets of Harlem who has her sights set on the crown of hip-hop.

 

There is more to the story of “212” then conceited lyrics. “212,” is a response to feeling defeated, and a message to never give up. In the midst of being dropped from her record label, being dropped by her manager, dumped by a boyfriend, and no one taking notice of her rhymes, Azealia wrote “212” as a message to everyone who didn’t believe in her music. Today, it sure seems as if the message was heard loud and clear!

 

Before reaching her “212” fame today, Azealia was just a New York City girl living with her mother and two sisters. She attended LaGuardia Arts High School -- the same “Fame” high school that fellow female rapper Nicki Minaj attended! At age 17, Azealia’s love for musical theatre became a love for rap. She managed to save up enough money to record her first rap cuts, which caught the attention of producer Diplo ( M.I.A, Major Lazer fame), and the rest is history.

 

Today, Azealia can be seen dancing around in a Mickey Mouse sweater in the black-and-white video for “212”, which has racked up over 21 million views. Azealia topped NME’s 2011 Cool Kids List and is currently polishing up her debut album, Broke with Expensive Taste, which is set to drop this coming fall. Based off of the buzz that Banks’s other tracks, “1991” and “Jumanji”, have been creating, we can assume that Broke with Expensive Taste is music that should not be overlooked.

 

Azealia is currently on tour in Europe through the end of August. Keep an eye in this one; she is about to take over!

 

 

- Zak Frio, YH Staff