In an exclusive conversation with rolling out, Chicago’s own Ashlee Bankz opens up about her unapologetic approach to rap, the authenticity that sets her apart, and her triumphant journey to becoming the 312 Awards’ Rising Artist of the Year. Inspired early by legends like Missy Elliott and Aaliyah, Bankz channels personal loss and resilience into raw musical storytelling. Unafraid of industry pressures, she credits her Chicago roots for her grit and unwavering authenticity. Now poised for global recognition, Ashlee Bankz shares candid insights about navigating challenges as a woman artist and her ambitions beyond music.
What inspired you to start rapping? And when did you realize that music was your calling?
I feel like as a kid I always was intrigued by it, and I was always just in love with Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, TLC, and I just was like, it just kind of was put on me to a certain extent, and, at the age of 12, my mom had bought a macbook, IMac, and I just started messing around with garageband. I was like Okay I got a little talent, I can do something, and then my uncle passed away, and I started making music. That was my outlet, and my best friend at the time, well, before he passed, he outed me to everybody and told them that I made music.
How would you describe your sound, and what makes it stand out?
I would say, it’s unapologetic. It’s very true and real as to what I’m going through when I’m going through it. What makes me stand out is, I say what I say, and I see it the way I see it.
You recently won the rising artist of the year award at the 312 Awards. How did that feel?
To be honest with you, I was kind of shocked, I wasn’t expecting it, but it felt good. It was dope to be celebrated, I feel like I’m not typically celebrated a lot. So for me, that was a very heartfelt moment of like, “dang, like congratulations, you did it, keep going, keep doing it”, so that was dope.
How has Chicago influenced your music?
I feel rap wise, the city has made me rough, it’s made me have to fight for myself and to show up for myself, so it’s definitely gritty. Chicago has made me. If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, I can survive here, I can survive anywhere. The greatest musicians come from Chicago, and we all have a story from Chicago, but we go other places, like LA, New York, etc, etc, but it starts in Chicago. So I feel like Chicago gave me a dope foundation in a place that I’m proud to say I’m from Chicago.
What would you say your story is? Who is Ashlee Bankz?
Ashlee Bankz is an everyday girl. I’m a real person, a real human, a real sister, a real daughter, a real friend. I feel like Ashlee Bankz is everybody’s home girl, and somehow, some way I can relate to what you’re going through or what you’ve been through, and most importantly, I’m authentic. It’s true, so we can have a genuine conversation, and when you listen to the music, you can either feel my pain, hear my pain, or, if you follow me on social media, you can get the gems that I drop in between.
We’re in the midst of women’s history month. What are some of the challenges that you faced as a woman in this culture? And how do you overcome them?
Being overlooked. Often being in spaces where I was made to feel small. I overcame this by becoming unstoppable. You can’t tell me what to do. You can’t tell me when to do it. You can’t tell me how to spend my money. You can’t tell me how to get my money, and so pretty much I just flipped the tables to where I don’t need you, you need me, and if I do need you, I mean, that’s very, very, very rare.
Who would you say are your top 5 women rappers of all time?
Missy Elliott, Shawnna, Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim, and the last one, me.
How do you stay true to yourself in this industry?
Honestly, it’s God. I’m able to see through a lot of the BS. I think, because I was in the space of being overlooked I couldn’t be taken advantage of, and with me being forced to be in the background, and just observe and really, really, look at everything and see what’s what, I learned that a lot of stuff is fake.
I never want to get caught up in what doesn’t matter and what doesn’t make sense, because eventually the fake burns out. People have this perception and then they have this made up lifestyle and they can’t keep it up. Growing up, I’ve seen that way too much in music, personal life, and I never want to be that person where you see me on the internet or popping in the music, and then you turn around and it’s like you ain’t the same person, because you are portraying a message that’s not real. It’s misleading. I never wanted to be that person. I grew up in an era of real music, the JAY-Z’s the Lil Wayne’s, the Shawnna’s.
My first goal when I was 16, was if I’m gonna make music, I want to actually be known for the music, nothing else. I don’t want to be made up or make believe, which, that’s why my journey has taken a lot longer than most.
Beyond the music, are there any creative avenues you want to explore?
Fashion, film, really, all things entertainment, the cannabis world and movies. A lot of people keep telling me I should act, which I don’t really know why, but I feel like I would love to be on BMF or something.
What can fans expect from you next? And where do you see your career going in the future?
To the moon, expect me to be everywhere I’m taking over. I’m going from local to global, and next, better content, better music, you get to watch me become a superstar in real life. So you’ve been following me for a minute, you see where I’ve started, and then you’re gonna see where I take it. So just keep following the journey and enjoy the ride.
