Azealia Banks
Broke With Expensive Taste

The musical journey, anything but simple and swift, of the American rapper Azealia Banks begins, under the pseudonym "Miss Bank$", in February 2009, the year in which the artist released, to great media acclaim, her first track "Gimme A Chance".

The following year marks the start of a significant change for Azealia: she decides to replace her stage name with her real one.

In 2011, she releases the single “212”, which immediately gains her great popularity; it will later be included, the following year, in the artist's first EP (“1991”).

From the first steps in the musical universe, the musician easily creates a veneer of charm and interest around herself, culminating in 2012 with the triumphant release of the mixtape (“Fantasea”).

However, looking closely, despite a rapid series of successes quickly amassed, the path to the release of the fateful first album proved more difficult and slower than expected due to certain choices made by Universal. After various delays and fierce conflicts, we had to wait until November 6, 2014, for the definitive release of this "Broke With Expensive Taste".

Despite the wait, which, as anticipated, was anything but short, from its publication the album reveals itself as an authentic bomb of an explosive and memorable character.

At the start of this rhythmic and schizophrenic journey is "Idle Delilah", a wonderful Hip House opening imbued with R&B, tribalism, and exotic elements. Right from the get-go, Banks is interested in showcasing her eclectic stylistic signature, which, crossing various coordinates not only purely musical, colors the 16 total tracks. "Gimme A Chance", thanks especially to the Spanish singing, highlights a Funk attitude mixed with Salsa, Merengue, and Tropicalismo, which, with its sax inserts, paves the way for "Desperado", a 2-step track containing samples by British DJ MJ Cole. "JFK" and "212", of Tobinian evocation, underline the directional choice towards Acid Jazz and Nu Jazz. With "Wallace” comes the turn of scathing lyrics and pumped-up choruses reminiscent of Aaliyah and Missy Elliott. The next two tracks, "Heavy Metal and Reflective" and “BBD”, create an EDM-Trap diptych of a shattering and impetuous nature. The triplet formed by "Ice Princess", "Yung Rapunxel", and "Soda" constitutes a strong shift towards House and Synth shores. "Chasing Time" and "Luxury" embody a desire to envelop more seductive and relaxed Dance coordinates. The Surf-Pop cover by Ariel Pink,"Nude Beach A Go-Go", made in collaboration with him, directs the listener towards a lighter and more sparkling atmosphere. The reading of the two final "misses", "Miss Amor" and “Miss Camaraderie”, almost closing a circle, must again be grasped in a symbiotic key, where Dance and Wonky blend splendidly in funky waters.

In conclusion, it can be said that "Broke With Expensive Taste" physiologically highlights all the kaleidoscopic and prevailing influences in the formation of the artist's musical taste. Starting from Interpol, Bloc Party, and Futureheads, passing through Lauryn Hill, Janelle Monae, M.I.A., Lil' Kim, the aforementioned Aaliyah and Missy Elliott, arriving at Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.

So, despite a notoriously bad temper, displayed both via social media and in daily life, it is undeniable to emphasize the chameleon-like talent of Azealia Banks who, even though she has kept us hungry for almost 10 years, I am sure she will soon return to the scene, ready, as usual, to elbow her way and forge her path with a blaze of punches.