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Bio

Government Name: Brandon William Banks

How did you come up with your stage name? I’m part Haitian. In French “la belle vie” means “a beautiful life”.

Birthday & Zodiac Sign: November 11/ Scorpio

Hometown/ Birthplace: Inglewood, CA

What event/person inspired you to become an artist? Jay-Z’s “Hardknock Life”

Who are your musical influences? Jay-Z, Pharrell, 50 cent, Calvin Harris, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Sa-Ra Creative partners

What are your talents? Rapping, singing, writing, arrangement, photography, acting, philosophy

Why do you (rap, sing, produce, etc.)? It’s hard to break from your first love and music was the arrow cupid shot first.

Briefly describe your lyrical/writing style: The most I can say is that I don’t write or type my lyrics. Everything else is fluid and conditional.

What makes you stand out as an artist and how do you think it will affect the music industry? I think the fact that I can actually sing and not just hold a note, and my photography are unique to only me and a thimble full of other artists.

Who/ what inspires you to be the person that you are today or aspire to be? Putting my mother in a different financial situation and establishing myself enough to start a family. The rest is a bonus.

What three artists do you feel influenced the growth of hip-hop? Dr. Dre, Jay- Z, and Curtis Mayfield. They are obviously, not the only artists but the 1st that came to mind.

Who do you listen to the most and do you feel as though they affect your creativity? I don’t really listen to anybody often. My musical taste is moody.

How do you measure success in the music industry today? Downloads, ticket sales and longevity.

What do you plan on accomplishing for yourself as an artist? I plan on having a core fan base, a shifting-exterior fan base, an enterprise and brand name, and a well-respected photo portfolio.

If you do accomplish these goals, what will be your next step as an artist? Whatever doesn’t interfere with what I already have going, especially if I have a family at that point.

Who do you want to work with in the music industry? Pharrell, Timbaland, Quincy Jones, and the people I came in with. I’m not really stressing about anyone else.

What is your opinion on the current climate of hip-hop music? It’s all as it should be. Independent artists control themselves autonomously. The fans can choose more without being directed and manipulated (something they will pick up on as time goes). Major labels have to reap the backwards tradition they sowed. All is right, right now.

What other aspirations do you have (in or outside of the music industry)? As it stands: photography and a specialty sandwich and pastry restaurant. And I “gotsta” get married to an awesome piece of woman and have as many kids as we can handle. I want to add a new way to look at rappers and inner city black kids.

What is one thing you want to do before you die? Learn to swim. Seriously. Nothing grandiose or introspective or philosophical, just learn to swim.