Alfred Banks
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Alfred Banks

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2009
Solo Hip Hop R&B

Calendar

Music

Press


"Alfred Banks: From Homelessness All The Way To Volkswagen"

Volkswagen has collaborated with Beats by Dre to enhance the sound systems in the new Polo car. The new ad, which debuted last week, featured an appearance with Alfred Banks. The New Orleans-born rapper came onto the scene in 2009 and has been entertaining fans on stage with brand new kicks on and a signature scarf around his mic.

He was enrolled in Loyola University’s Music Industry Program, and even collaborated with fellow student G-Eazy while he attended. But tragedy struck, and Banks had to drop out to be able to pay for his bills, but quickly found himself homeless in the streets of New Orleans. On top of this, his brother Orlandas Banks, who suffered from Schizophrenia, took his own life on March 20, 2014.
Banks had to choose between letting his hardship destroy everything or continue to push for his dreams and leave a legacy that his brother had always foreshadowed. He chose the latter, and has been more determined than ever. He pulled together some resources from close friends, started to build a team, and before he knew it he was back on his feet.

“The last two years has been nothing but non-stop work and touring the country, but everyday I’m inspiring all the other Underdog’s out there to go out and crush their adversities” said Banks. “I’ve only just tapped into what I know I can become and with this Volkswagen opportunity it’s just another pillar in building UnderDogCentral” - Bossip.Com


""10 Up & Coming Rappers from New Orleans""

Currently on the road with Mickey Factz, Alfred (Lyriqs) is known for his high-energy live sets opening for acts like Rakim, Lupe Fiasco, Slum Village, and others. He collaborated with fellow former Loyola University music business student G-Eazy on the smooth, funky “My Style,” and has been mentored by pillars of the conscious NOLA underground Truth Universal and Lyrikill. - Complex.com


"Up NeXt By DX: Alfred Banks"

Former HipHopDX Features Editor Andre Grant said in his “Defense Of The Struggle Rapper” editorial, “Out of all the things the Hip Hop web has vilified, the "struggle rapper" might be the least deserving of all that ridicule.” Before Kendrick Lamar became big enough for Barack Obama to sing his praises or Drake found himself making deals with Apple, they were artists without a significantly large fanbase attempting what seemed like the impossible.

Hitting the top of the charts became a distant goal to making past one hundred streams of a song possibly made within the confines of their bedroom walls and gaining likes, re-post or anything else that would reach someone. Providing a weekly outlet for those getting their feet wet in the sometimes brutal sport of Hip Hop, allow us to provide readers a look into tomorrow’s possibilities through “Up Next.”

Alfred Banks Has Gone From New Orleans Unknown To Performing On "Revolt Live"

Inspiration For Rap Career

"The first time I heard Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. That made me wanna rap."

Having A Shot At Rap Stardom

"I believe I have a shot at stardom. I have the music, the work ethic and a great producer in CZA. So, Things should change in the coming years. Trust."

Upcoming Project(s) In The Works

My new EP A Beautiful Prelude Drops March 20th & my album The Beautiful drops in May. - HipHopDx


"LocalLoveTour Winner Alfred Banks visits RevoltLive"

LocalLoveTour Winner Alfred Banks visits RevoltLive - RevoltTv


"A3C Showcase Winner: Alfred Banks (Lyriqs da lyraciss)"

From the flavor of jambalaya gumbo to the style and piazza of Mardi Gras, New Orleans has proven to be a melting pot of eclectic taste and culture. This formula has definitely spilled over into the ever so popular, thriving Hip Hop scene. The constant mixture of variety can be heard from Icons like Master P, to Cash Money to Lil Wayne to even more recently, our A3C New Orleans Circuit Tour winner, Alfred Banks (Lyriqs Da Lyraciss). The crafty, rhyme wordsmith took a couple minutes to kick it with A3C and give us the scoop on his movement Underdogcentral, and his two musical debuts D.A.I.Y.L.F and Nobody’s Monologues 2. - A3C.Com


"The United States of Underground Hip-Hop: Louisiana"

Raised in New Orleans, Alfred Banks has always been street smart, but his scholarship to Loyola University was the trigger that really sparked his career. Unfortunately, after a few years Alfred had to call it quits at Loyola when economic hardship forced him to live on the streets. Homelessness is an epidemic, especially in America, but some choose to use that negativity to refuel and focus on their true calling. For Alfred, giving it all to music was a no-brainer. He may have been forced to leave school early, but not before connecting with fellow Loyola student and Bay Area superstar G-Eazy for what would become his biggest single yet. With his positive mindset, determination and that first single’s success, Alfred’s career as a musician was solidified. Alfred would soon go on to release a slew of lyrically enhanced projects, even being featured on several popular sites across the web. On top of having a well-rounded street smart and professional mentality, Banks takes his act to the next level once he gets on stage for a live performance. Highly energetic and electric are the best words to describe the power he outputs, eventually proving that stage presence while touring nationally with XXL Freshman Mickey Factz in 2014. From branding to investing to promotions, Alfred knows the business and understands what it takes to be successful. Alfred Banks is the total artistic package, so far, and I’m excited to see where his journey takes him next. - DjBooth.Net


Discography

ALBUM:
"The Nobody's Monologues 2" (2012)
"Dream As If You'll Live Forever" (Hosted by Mickey Factz) (2013)

"The Beautiful" (2017)


EP

"A Beautiful Prelude"


MIXTAPE:

"Enjoy Every Sandwhich" (2014)

"Enjoy Every Sandwich 2" (2015)


SINGLE: 

"HomeComing" (Prod by CZA) (2015)

"Garden District" (Prod by CZA) (2016)

"UnderDogcentral" (Remastered) (2016)

Photos

Bio

The emergent New Orleans rapper Alfred Banks has garnered critical acclaim from some of rap’s most esteemed publications. In addition to being named one of Complex’s 10 upcoming New Orleans MCs, Banks has been featured prominently on HipHopDx, Okayplayer & on DJBooth’s list of Top indie rappers from Louisiana. Having performed at renowned festivals like Atlanta’s A3C, New Orleans’ Buku Fest and Austin’s SXSW, Banks has also made headway in Europe, starring in a Volkswagen ad campaign featuring his song “HomeComing” in addition to achieving performances in Germany and Spain. In late 2016, BBC Russia interviewed Banks, extending his reach well beyond Europe. Most Recently, Alfred’s Song “UnderDogCentral” can be heard in the Netflix Movie “Burning Sands”, which was Executively Produced by Common.

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Banks recently released his 3rd LP, The Beautiful. The Beautiful, Inspired by his brother’s struggle with mental illness and his eventual suicide, serves as his most successful to date with a Debut at #12 on iTunes’ “Rap/HipHop” Charts & #79 on BillBoard’s “HeatSeeker” Charts. The album features a conceptual approach dealing with schizophrenia and the complexity of identity. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) & UnMaskNola both took notice of Banks’s music and its focus on mental-health awareness, and partnered with him on promotional efforts for The Beautiful.

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In 2014, Banks joined former XXL Freshman Mickey Factz’s 15-city “The Red or Blue Pill Tour” as opening Support. In 2016, Alfred Headlined his own “The Beautiful” Tour of 17 cities & most recently toured with Ted Talk Speaker/Rapper Marco Pave’ for “The RiverKings2Tour”, Which was co-signed by Chuck D (Of Public Enemy). Banks has also shared the stage with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Lupe Fiasco, The Wu-Tang Clan, and A$AP Ferg, and his live show earned the attention of RevoltTV, who crowned Banks the winner of their 2015 “LocalLoveTour” competition. Additionally, Banks has collaborated with Bay area superstar G-Eazy for the song “My Style.”

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Banks, who struggled with homelessness while attending Loyola University on a full-ride scholarship, opted to leave academia behind and pursue MCing full-time. Outside of music, the New Orleans native has made a name for himself through his unapologetic sense of personal style, and can often be seen sporting a fresh pair of sneakers and a scarf tied around his mic. His sense of individualism is something he applies to his life mantra, which is embodied by his UnderdogCentral movement. Created in 2012, UnderdogCentral is a metaphor & represents the Place where the Overlooked go to hone their skills & return to become the admired.

Band Members