Don't sleep on Robb Banks. To those in the know, Banks has buzzing for years, but many are still just catching up. Back in 2012, long before South Florida was the most happening region for rap's new SoundCloud wave, he was getting reblogs of tracks he posted on his Tumblr.
"I really care about the Florida rap scene," he says. "I was born up here [in New York] and I moved down to Florida when I was like, six. ... Broward was just a lot of crime," he recalls. "When I first came, I'm seeing prostitutes. I was a little kid riding around on my bike thinking shit's sweet and niggas gettin' arrested. One of my friends in 10th grade got arrested... Florida make you grow up fast."
In the latest episode of Open Space, Banks talks about being an elder statesman of South Florida rap at age 24, his memories of fellow Broward rappers XXXtentacion and Ski Mask, and the whole Raider Klan, and how he's only now planning his first true album, 'Falconia.' "Anytime I record, I record for 'Falconia' he says. Though he's several projects into his solo career, he is holding tightly to his proper debut. "I feel like Falconia is going to be like, my big album," he says. "The 'Billboard' muh'fucka, you know what I'm saying." In the meantime, he's blessings his fans with EPs and loosies as they happen. "If a track doesn't make it, I'll put it out as a project. I'm not storing my music no more, I'm just… Off with it."
His rap dreams nearly eluded him because of street quagmires in his youth, but Broward never raised a cowardand Banks isn't done getting or putting on. Patience is a virtue. Specifically, in Banks's case, it could be what puts him over the top.
Falconia on the way. Watch Open Space above.
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What started as a humble graffiti 'zine in 1996 would soon grow to be one of the most trusted outlets for youthspawned urban culture. Today, Mass Appeal is a media collective led by authentic voices and inspired minds. We are a platform for radical creatives who are transforming culture.