Azealia Banks by Danny Michel for her single 'Escapades'

Azealia Amanda Banks (born May 31, 1991) is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and actress. Raised in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Banks began releasing music through MySpace in 2008, eventually being signed to XL Recordings at age 17. After releasing her debut single "212", she secured a recording contract with Interscope and Polydor Records, and later released her first extended play 1991 (2012). Banks' debut studio album Broke with Expensive Taste experienced several delays since its initial announcement before being released in 2014. In 2016, she released the mixtape Slay-Z. Her sophomore album is due to be released on October 31, 2017. Banks' outspoken views and controversial social media presence have been the subject of media scrutiny throughout her career.