Photographer SEZEN JUNE SINAN @sezen.june
Stylists EMILY BOGNER @emily_bogner_ TAJCHI ALABAMA, TATJANA OSTOJIC
Photography Assistant MONICA SHAH
Lighting Assistant PATRICK LESS @shotsbyless
Retoucher ANDRIANA TRUSH @retouch_andri
Necklace ERICKSON BEAMON @ericksonbeamon
Rings RAY GRIFFITHS @raygriffithsfinejewelry
Words by Kimberly Haddad
New Orleans Native Greg Banks is a sensational force of love, creativity, and gratitude committed to fostering connections and community among his listeners. With his eccentric style, sultry voice, and electrifying performances, he has rightfully earned the title “Saint of Soul” and effortlessly lives in his purest form. Drawing inspiration from the energy of New Orlean’s marching bands and the gritty atmosphere of New York City, Banks has crafted a distinctive blend of R&B, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll that resonates with deep authenticity. With his most recent hit tracks like “Baby” and “Separate Ways” on iTunes, Banks is rapidly establishing himself as a standout talent you’ll want to get to know.
Shirt CUSTOM MADE
Earrings, Rings RAY GRIFFITHS @raygriffithsfinejewelry
Necklace ERICKSON BEAMON @ericksonbeamon
What are some of your earliest memories associated with music, and how did they influence your path as a soul artist?
Some of my earliest memories were the marching bands during the Sunday gatherings that we call Second Lines back home in New Orleans. It cultivated showmanship early on in my journey and I learned to be authentic, honest, and unforgettable.
Can you share a defining moment when you realized being a creative was a calling you had to pursue?
This moment of truth happened when I was just about to turn 16 years old. I had lost my childhood in a matter of hours after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans. My siblings and I were uprooted and scattered across America. I ended up alone and had to make a conscious choice to focus on something positive or be a statistic. In that moment, I committed to being the best musician that I could be. I released my first mixtape at 16 and I’ve never looked back.
As a musician who has traversed different cities and cultures, how has your journey impacted your perspective on identity, community, and authenticity in your music?
One constant everywhere in the world is identity. We share a desire to belong and we thrive in communities. This observation influenced my approach to creating music that fosters community, encourages dialogue, and cultivates something for others to belong to. I dreamt of the world I now explore and live in, with a deep knowing of every place I’m fortunate to see and experience.
In what ways has your move from New Orleans to Brooklyn influenced your sound and creativity, and what aspects of each city have left a mark on your music?
My move from New Orleans to Brooklyn laid the foundation for me to discover how unique my home was in terms of my identity. New Orleans is a slow-cooked pot of cultural gumbo with deep traditions, whether oral, mythical, or spiritual, that lives in everyone who grows up there. Transport that to a sea of culture, some familiar and some foreign with no limitations on access, and a global supernatural phenomenon is born. The call and response of New Orleans culture has carried over into how I perform, and the attitude of New York is what makes it unforgettable. Go hard or stay home.
In what ways do you aim to connect with your audience on a deeper emotional level through your performances and songs, and what feelings do you hope they take away from your music?
I hope to grow with my fans and their legacies, to grow with their families as they share unforgettable moments and milestones. I always show up vulnerably and with gratitude, in hopes of dismantling the notion that my fans and I are different. We’re one and the same experiencing the same struggles and triumphs. I hope they take with them the power to dream and create whatever world they desire. May the songs I write prove that hard times aren’t the end, but instead, the beginning of a better existence.
Your music often incorporates elements of soul and R&B. Can you delve into a particular song or lyric that holds deep personal meaning to you, and explain the story behind it?
Those are the first musical languages I learned, so no matter how I expand, they’ll always be present. A particular song called “Supernatural” and a lyric from that song, “I’ve been a supernatural phenomenon since the day I was born,” was created from the notion that everything I faced was placed intentionally, to test my endurance and get me to this unbreakable space that I needed to reach in order to carry the power of living in my greatest form. It’s meaningful because it’s about seeing the good in the trials and tribulations.
In your opinion, what does it mean to be a creative in the music industry, and how do you stay inspired in your work?
What it means to be creative in the music industry is to push the envelope, challenge the status quo, be innovative, and tell a unique story of one’s personal journey.
What exciting projects or collaborations can we expect from you in the near future, and how do you envision your musical evolution in the years to come?
You can expect films, commercials, movie placements, and international performances. I envision my music reaching every continent, writing songs for other artists, partnering with global brands, and creating opportunities for underserved communities for the next generation to thrive.
