LIANA BANKS
When Liana Bank$ enters the room, she’s impossible to ignore - her neon green hair literally lights up the room, and her futuristic fashion completes the inescapable impression that a star has arrived. But this is one rising star that has a lot more to her than looks and charisma - she is a hugely talented singer/songwriter with her own unique sound that is poised to set the world on fire in 2021.
Born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, Liana grew up surrounded by a family of gifted singers and musicians. “I always knew that music would be my life,” she recalls. The house was filled with the sounds of Nina Simone, Bill Withers, and James Brown. Later on, icons like Sade, Lauryn Hill, Biggie Smalls, and Missy Elliot became some of her major influences. But perhaps most influential was her grandmother, who had a career as a featured performer on Broadway for much of Liana’s childhood. “I used to watch her from the wings, and I just knew that I was going to be out there someday.”
Surprisingly, it was actually Liana’s songwriting skills that first got her noticed. While still in high school, she started hanging out at writing and recording sessions in Brooklyn, and pretty soon she was doing the writing herself. Within a short time, she was working with top producers including Scott Storch, Jerry Wonda, and JR Rotem. And penning songs for such artists as Lily Allen, Teyana Taylor, Lion Babe, Jodeci, and many others. Her song “Selfish” was a breakout platinum single for PNB Rock.
But there was another talent that everyone who worked with Liana noticed immediately, and that was her captivating, soulful, and completely unique singing voice. It wasn’t long before she moved from behind the scenes and began working on her solo career. Her debut EP, Insubordinate, landed on multiple “Best of the Year” and “Artist To Watch” lists, including High Snobiety, TIME Magazine, Nylon, and more. Red Bull Music chose the EP as the top hip hip/R&B release of the year, and to further make the
point of her triple-threat appeal, she landed on the cover of fashion mag Bombshell’s inaugural print edition.
Meanwhile, Liana has continued to be in demand as a songwriter; in recent months she collaborated on multiple tracks, including the smash “Best Friend” featuring Doja Cat, for the upcoming album by multiplatinum Warner Records artist Saweetie. With current and upcoming releases by Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha, Chloe Bailey, Latto, and Anitta she continues to add to her resume as one of the hottest writers in the business today.
Liana’s growing fan base is eager to hear what’s coming next for this rising young star, and they won’t have long to wait. She’s been hard at work in the studio, crafting songs that will take her art to the next level. Her new EP, titled Apt. 210 will be released later this year on United Masters; the first focus track “Petty” boasts features by rising rap star Lola Brooke and hot new influencer/rapper Cleotrapa. Other tracks will soon follow, including “Dancing At A Funeral” and “G.P.P.”, a sizzling duet with superstar Saweetie. With an intoxicating gumbo of hip-hop, R&B, pop, soul, and rock, Liana Bank$ is stirring a musical pot that could only have been cooked up by her. “I’m growing as a person, and my music is growing too,” she says. “I can’t wait to show the world who I am.”