Who is CJ Banks? The Hype Magazine: Unveiling the Pulse of Urban Culture - From Hip Hop to Hollywood! Explore a Diverse Tapestry of Stories, Interviews, and Impactful Editorials Spanning Fashion, Gaming, Movies, MMA, EDM, Rock, and Beyond! www.thehypemagazine.com - The Hype Magazine The Hype Magazine - News From Hip Hop To Hollywood!

Who Is?/Official Hype

Published on January 5th, 2016 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

0

Who is CJ Banks?

CJ Banks

Words by Corey Banks, Sr.

CJ Banks is the 20-yr-old son of underground Hip-Hop legend, CeStyle aka Corey Drumz and the grandson of BMI award winning Northern Soul Music artists, writers, and composers, the late Larry Banks & Jaibi.

CJ was raised around music his entire life and soaked it all up like a sponge. His first appearances on recordings started by the age of 7 on his father’s recording doing backgrounds on hooks. By age 11 he was battling grown men thru diss tracks over the internet under the name of Young Captain, Leader of the I K.E. Kiddz.

After a successful high school football career winning 2 L.I. Championships with William Floyd High in Mastic NY, CJ put his focus back to making music and started writing and singing R&B.

Now at age 20, CJ is taking on the industry by storm and continuing the legacy started by his predecessors.

Check out our exclusive one on one interview with this rising R&B star.

What does the CJ in your name stand for?

The CJ in my name stands for Corey Jr. I share the same name with my father Corey Drumz.

Where are you from?

That’s an interesting question. I feel like that question is weird for me because where you’re from is where you grew up. I moved a lot so I’m from many places but I went to High School in Mastic, Long Island so I claim that as my home now.

How old were you when you first started recording?

Well my father put me on his songs when I was very young but I don’t remember what age. I started recording my own songs when I was 11.

And how old are you now?

I’m 20 now

How long have you been recording R&B?

I’ve been recording R&B for about a year now. I started recording R&B in Aug/Sept of 2014.

Being the son of well known and respected Hip-Hop artist, Corey Drumz, and the grandson of 2 legendary Soul musicians, Larry Banks & Jaibi, did you ever feel pressured to pursue a career in music?

For me no. I’m the kind of person that never let what my family is doing influence me to do it too. I knew they did music but I made my own choice to do it.

Growing up in a family rich in music history, how did that influence your decision to carry on the tradition?

I wouldn’t say it was an influence, I would say it gave me more confidence to do it. If my family didn’t do it, it would be harder for me, but because they do it gives me an edge.

Who are your biggest influences musically?

Chris Brown is definitely a big influence on me. I love his creativity and stage presence. Trey Songz, Aaliyah (RIP) and another big influence of mines is Timberland. I love the uniqueness of Timberland’s music. The way he uses different sounds, changes his voice, etc.

What is “The Banks Brand” and what does it mean to you to carry the Banks musical torch?

The Banks Brand is my management run by my father. Other than my management, it’s also a way to keep our family name alive in music. It’s the official way of my father passing the torch to me being that he made music all his life, once he found out I made the decision to pursue music, it was a relief to him and he slowed down making his own music to focus on me. He always told me he wanted to pass it down to his children and The Banks Brand is his way of doing that and staying connected to the music without having to be the one making it.

What made you decide to do R&B instead of Hip-Hop like your father?

I actually started off making Hip-Hop when I was 11. I was a rapper. I actually don’t want to say rapper. I rhymed which is a better way to describe it. But as far as making the transition from Hip-Hop to R&B, I always listened to more R&B music than Hip-Hop, whether it was my mom and dad playing it in the house or just me listening to music. I connected with R&B more than I did with Hip-Hop so the transition was natural to me.

In high school you were an accomplished football player, winning 2 LIC Championships as well as being named All State in track & field with William Floyd H.S. Do you still want to pursue a career in sports or is music your main focus?

Music is definitely my focus now. I do miss some of those things especially football but that had its time in my life and I’m grateful for it but now music is my main goal.

You’re not only a singer but you write your own songs as well right?

Yes that’s correct.

Where do you draw your inspiration from as a writer?

I just love scenarios and stories and when you combine those things with personal experiences it’s just incredible to me. Most of the time I just get a random idea in my head then I equate it to a personal experience and zone out.

You recently released your first mixtape, “Est. 95.” What was the thought process behind that title and how is it being received by fans?

The funny thing is, I had so many names for it but being my first project I wanted it to have special meaning. I have Est. 95 tattooed on me as my first tattoo and it is the year I was born so it just made sense to name my first project that because it has so much meaning to me and the listeners are loving it.

Do you have any plans on re-recording any of your father’s r&b songs or your grandparents music?

No not really. I enjoy the creative process of making my own music, even though they made great music, I would rather leave them as the classics they are and create my own to add to the legacy.

Can we expect a collaborative project with you and your father in the future?

It’s definitely something that we’ve talked about. We haven’t decided on a time frame for it but it’s definitely something I see happening in the future.

What other recording artists would you like to collaborate with?

Definitely Chris Brown. Frank Ocean is pretty dope and Sevyn Streeter, she’s amazing.

You performed at the NYC Marathon. What was that experience like?

It was a new experience for me being it was the first time I performed in front of an audience. Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous at all. I just love getting on stage and performing and I’m blessed to have been able to perform at such a major venue for my first performance.

What other performances stand out for you?

CJ – I had a performance in Riverbed L.I. on November 20, 2015. It was a Music Industry Showcase for Atlantic & Def Jam Records. I also have a performance coming up on January 19, 2016 at the Rock The Mic Showcase in NYC hosted by Sony Records and DJ Absolut. Shout out to Havoc from Mobb Deep for reaching out to my dad and setting that in motion. I also want to shout out DJ Absolut for giving me the opportunity to perform at such a major showcase.

Where do you see your music career in 5 years?

To infinity and beyond man. I feel there is no limit to where I will be. As long as I keep making great music and stay relevant there is no limit to where my music can take me.

Is there anything more that you would like fans to know about CJ Banks?

Just that I’m an open minded person and I have a fun personality which you can hear in not just my music but can see when I’m on stage or just chilling on the sidelines being myself.

Any final words?

I have some good stuff coming up. A lot of big things are happening for me. My second mixtape “Established”,will be dropping around February 2016 so be on the lookout for that. Other than that, I will be continuing to perform at different venues and just enjoying myself, making classic music for my current and future fans. I also want to thank you guys at The Hype Magazine for recognizing me and giving me the opportunity to be interviewed. This was another great experience for me that I will never forget.



About the Author

Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.


Leave a Reply

Back to Top ↑