We had the pleasure of interviewing a rising star: David Banks check out the interview bellow along with a single he recently released.
What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about your upbringing/experiences as a youth:
I was born and raised in South Sacramento, California.I am the second oldest of four boys. Growing up music was a major part of my life and I knew at a very young age I wanted to pursue it as a career. My mom was a singer, she really taught me when I was young put me in talent shows,and would have me perform at public events. My older brother raps and sings too and I use to want to be under him a lot as a kid. But as I got older I started writing my own music and performing my own songs I’d say by the time I was in fifth or Sixth grade. My upbringing was strict my parents are real old school and do not put up with too much of anything. Mainly because where we were raised wasn’t really safe so it was mostly for our protection cause me and my brothers was some hard headed kids. I use to get in a lot of trouble when I was younger whether it was academically or behaviorally so I ended up being put into small schools by the time I was in Junior High all the way till I graduated High School. It didn’t really do nothing cause I was still cutting up but my dad use to ride me hard bout my schooling cause he knew I could be something if I just could find my thing and focus. I been through a lot of trials and tribulations while growing to be the man I am today some things more difficult than the others but out of everything I went through and over came while coming up I always had my music.
At what moment did you know that music was part of your life and what feelings did you have towards making an active impact with your music?
I knew music was apart of my life my whole life I was raised in the music it’s apart of me. I want my music to be able to touch people and make a difference for the lives of my fans ,supporters,as well as my family. Once I knew that music was for me it’s always been about my brothers and my parents and being able to put them into a better positions for success and wellness.
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why?
Drake inspired me a lot when I was younger and still even to this day. He’s a great artist and also someone I hope to be able to work with one day, Just because everything he drops is a whole new vibe and its fresh everytime. He seems humble although I’ve never actually met the guy I just think if we put our heads together it’d be something different in itself. However I could say that about a few artists but if I had to choose one it would be Drake.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
I don’t really have a opinion on the current state of music everyone likes what they like or have there own preference a lot of people bash today’s hip hop/mainstream music because it’s so different from what it used to be. but I wouldn’t say that it’s a bad thing Music is suppose to have growth/change if music wasn’t meant to change we would still have people out here spittin like “Rappers Delight” .
Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about?
I don’t have any major projects in the works right now mainly because these past few months I was preparing for my first child. He was born a week ago so I am excited to be able to put a little bit of my attention back onto my music I have a couple singles I will be releasing in this next month. A long with a couple features on ColdPiece NoFleece’s upcoming mixtape “Boy Meets World.” That I can say I am pretty excited for
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
Continue to create and grow as an artist, And get more people to see and know who I am.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years?
In the next 5 years I plan to be on track for a well rounded career as a artist with a bigger platform of people to share my music with. I wanna be well respected in the music industry and by my peers.Also be able to set to set my family up nice.
If you had one song out of the catalogue you have created to show a person what song would it be and why?
“Been Through” I made this song at a pivotal point in my life. I was going through a lot personally and one night I was just in the studio and laid it down in this song. it gives a little insight into what my life actually was and some of the things I was doing behind closed doors and keeping away from the people closest to me just for the sake of the fact at the rate I was going I was only gone end up in one of two places, dead or in jail. My whole 7 Song mini album “Vanishing Points” kinda shows what direction I start putting my life towards but that song really capitalizes on everything for the most part.
To the person who had never heard of you what is it about your music and story that you would tell them to entice them to be a supporter?
It’s relatable in the aspect that I’m a young man who has the struggles of dealing with people that come in and out of my life or only come around when they need something and that’s an every one issue then as a young black man the issue of watching my parents struggle and just wanting to make it better but my hands are tied I am just trying to find my way and not become another statistic just to survive and the beat always knock something you can vibe too and get lost in.
If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be?
Real,Relatable,Crossover,Authentic, Passionate.
What do you bring to the game that is unique and different?
I am David Bank$, I am myself.I don’t try to be like everyone else or who others tell me I should be like or make music like I like to tell my story through melodies for the most part with a dope beat you can see yourself turning up to in the club or when you with your friends having a good time,or even by yourself in the car. Or I can switch it up to something slow you and your shorty can vibe too.I bring meaning to the game and a genuine love for it. LIke I said music is apart of me I don’t know what I would do without it because it is really all I know. I don’t just do it for the money I do for it the feelings I see that I give other people when they here my voice or for the little boys and girls from South Sac who grew up with the same struggles as me or worst struggles than me. I do it for my people. I do it for everyone who feels like they don’t have potential but haven’t realized that they haven’t scratched the surface of what they can do.
To the aspiring artist who is considering a career as a musician what lessons or advice would you give them to inspire them or to uplift them in the journey?
I’m still young and trying to figure life out myself so I don’t know if my advice would have more wisdom than anyone else my age and in my position,but I can say it takes time and consistency. So don’t be discouraged if it all doesn’t come falling down into your lap overnight and just because you fail doesn’t mean you should give up it should motivate you too keep going.
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?
Follow me on Instagram @DavidBanksMusic also on Twitter @DavidBankss you can find me on Itunes,Apple Music,Spotify, Youtube,Soundcloud etc.etc..
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
Nothing else to really say for the people I don’t talk to anymore you know who you are and you also know where we stand at this point. I’m not wishing any ill will upon anybody we just standing on two different sides of life.