Bio

The emergent New Orleans rapper Alfred Banks has garnered acclaim from some of rap’s most esteemed publications. In addition to being named one of Complex’s 10 upcoming New Orleans MCs, Banks has been featured prominently on HipHopDx, Okayplayer & on DJBooth’s list of Top Indie rappers from Louisiana. Having played at Voodoo Festival, Buku Festival, A3C Festival, and Austin’s SXSW, Banks has also made headway in Europe, Performing at the Reeperbahn Festival in Germany & starring in a Volkswagen ad campaign featuring his song “HomeComing”. In late 2016, BBC Russia interviewed Banks, extending his reach well beyond Europe. Most Recently, Alfred’s Song “UnderDogCentral” can be heard in the Netflix Movie “Burning Sands”, which was Executively Produced by Common.

In 2014, Banks joined former XXL Freshman Mickey Factz’s 15-city “The Red or Blue Pill Tour”. In 2016, Alfred Headlined his own “The Beautiful” Tour of 17 cities & most recently toured with MegaRan on his #ExtraCreditTour. Banks’ live show earned the attention of RevoltTV, who crowned Banks the winner of their 2015 “LocalLoveTour” competition. Additionally, Banks has collaborated with Bay area superstar G-Eazy for the song “My Style.”

Banks, who struggled with homelessness while attending Loyola University on a full-ride scholarship, opted to leave academia behind and pursue MCing full-time. Outside of music, the New Orleans native has made a name for himself through his unapologetic sense of personal style, and can often be seen sporting a fresh pair of sneakers and a scarf tied around his mic. His sense of individualism is something he applies to his life mantra, which is embodied by his UnderdogCentral movement. Created in 2012, UnderdogCentral is a metaphor & represents the Place where the Overlooked go to hone their skills & return to become the admired.