Words by Lillian Flexmami Ahen
She’s an award-winning rapper and singer, but some would argue that Azealia Banks is best known for generally being problematic fave with a penchant for top tier theatrics and a polarising social media presence that’s been the subject of mass scrutiny.
Whether you like her or not – you’re likely familiar with the dark cloud of drama that envelopes her like a dank smell.
Last week, Banks took to her social channels to recount of a star-studded celebrity gathering at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where she claimed – contrary to the beliefs of fellow guests – that Russell Crowe physically and verbally abused her, which resulted in viral digital uproar. Sympathy is not my most evolved trait, so I wanted to allow myself ample time to digest my thoughts for her further when I realised the indirect scrunching of my face when reading her recount was not disbelief – but apprehension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXUfBxMbC3A
There are topics that I would defend to the hilt, but Azealia Banks’ complex nature is not one. In my opinion, she’s always been outwardly problematic, but that didn’t stop myself or my peers from boppin’ to ‘212’ and repressing her outwardly racist and homophobic tendencies.
Is it because she openly debunks the misrepresentation of black female musicians? Is it because she unapologetically shines a light on the warped nature of the music industry? Is it because she remains candid about her flaws and faults? Or are these merely excuses made to help us rationalise our affinity for an irrefutably controversial ticking time bomb?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlWRhnYgWcc
I’ve spent a lot of time challenging my thoughts on Banks’ and found myself more confused and disillusioned than I began. Still itching for opinions and thought provoking discussion points, I took to Facebook to present a few friends of the Internet with this question:
Azealia Banks; Irredeemable or Misunderstood?
The TL;DR answer is a little bit of column A with a sprinkling of column B, but I urge you to read on for a few insightful responses to help challenge or affirm your thoughts towards this loose-lipped songstress.
Ruby, Professional Opinion-Haver
Man, Banks is a tough one. I absolutely LIVED for her Igloo Australia beatdown and in that instance, she was definitely on point – but from her racist, transphobic and homophobic blow-ups to her straight-up support of Trump’s immigration policy, its really, really, really hard to pull the artist away from the music. I’ve seen many people try and defend her actions by bringing up her bipolar disorder, but I personally don’t think that excuses her problematic outbursts at all.
Mayowa, Stylist
Aside from her torrid abuse of the gay community can we also remember that she has also been known to use highly inflammatory racial slurs ( Zayn Malik for his South Asian heritage) but will claim the victim card when supposedly called the ‘N word’. In this particular situation, I find that Russell Crowe will have a hard time finding a leg to stand on based on his own violent past but let the witness that the blessed almighty RZA speak.
Matka, DJ
I think that her erratic behaviour stems from immaturity and/or possibly some mental health stuff. While I think her behaviour is often over-the-top, inflammatory, bizarre or straight-up bigoted, I think it comes from a place of dealing with the prejudice she’s had thrust upon her. Have you ever wanted to scream at a dude who treated you like a little girl when you were just trying to talk at a party or do your job? I fucking have. She was a young woman given a huge platform and some wild opportunities and she dealt with in a way she probably already regrets… or she’s a total fuckwit. Definitely not defending the racism and homophobia by the way, I’m just trying to understand it from her point of view.
Amber, DJ
I just wish I could love her as much as I love her music, but she gives me so many reasons not to. Some of her points are valid and highlight an interesting perspective whereas others are just flat out nuts. It depends where you draw the line between acknowledging that she’s been through some shit which has made her the person she is and when it becomes up to her to actively change her attitude/perspective to better herself despite this.
Monique Myintoo, Writer
I don’t think this is a conversation of whether or not she is talented. She has artistry, no doubt, but like many it’s not enough to excuse her nasty behaviour. Many of her comments are inexcusable and upsetting. I wouldn’t usually speculate on an artist’s mental health, but there’s something missing here from the conversation when Banks is brought up. This is one woman has a lot of toxic views and behavioural problems, constantly up and down in the media. The public eye isn’t a caring one, to which she often feels victim to. On one hand, I feel so sorry for her. As a black woman, she’s the fierceness and the insecurity all bundled into one, but this does not victimise her and all her actions, provoked or otherwise; they all begin and end with her.
Nic Kelly, Radio Presenter
As someone on the receiving end of her homophobic shady shit last year, I’ve been pretty privy to her activities over the past few years of consistent violence, verbal abuse, compulsive lying about those actions & general trashness. Summed up, she’s a total dick but with that said; I think that stems from a tumultuous relationship with fame and her terribly unfortunate upbringing. As an artist she’s incredible, but I think there are a lot of personal issues she still hasn’t figured out & that’s important to understand & take into account. I really hope she’s got the support around her to improve her self-awareness but I don’t think she does … and that’s very sad.
Ryan Kearney, Curator
I think the potential impact she could have had as a leader and originator of a new wave of pop music has passed. I don’t dispute the quality of her music; but due to a few various factors (whether it be the team surrounding her, her mental state leading into fame, her reaction to fame or subsequent events that happened post-fame) she’s dropped the ball, her delivery on discussions stemming from major social issues are misguided, uneducated and brash; which detracts from her raw star power.
