welcome to afropunk: jacob banks

Every year, the AFROPUNK Festivals around the world welcome many new and young artists to its stages for the first time. This year, we decided to ask a few of them to introduce themselves to the AFROPUNK audience by answering some questions about who they are, where they come from, why they do what they do, and what brought them here.  This time around, it’s Jacob Banks, a Nigeria-born singer who sprung to fame through music competitions in the UK, and who will be performing at AFROPUNK Brooklyn in August.

Place of Birth and/or Residence:

Born in Nigeria, live in London.

Short Description of What You Do:

I’m a storyteller.

What are your favorite things about where you are from, and what are your favorite things about local black culture where you are from?

My favourite thing about black culture where I’m from is that it isn’t one particular thing. The black culture isn’t just one obvious trait — you can find black culture in every other culture. Though it can’t be tamed or quantified, it’s still there and has been popular culture. You can’t miss it.

If there was one or two core thoughts/ideas that you want your music to convey, what are they?

I just want to keep people company.

What is your most recent musical project? What separates it from your previous musical/creative projects?

I have an album coming in October and it’s a lot more introspective than my past work.

When did you first hear of AFROPUNK? or Do you have any firsthand AFROPUNK experiences of your own?

AFROPUNK London was my first introduction to the celebration.

What are you looking forward to most when you play at AFROPUNK?

Doing what I love with my friends.

Anything else you want to say to the AFROPUNK audience as a way of introduction?

Be nice to people.

Catch Jacob at AFROPUNK BROOKLYN 2018!