19-year-old Lay Bankz has the rap game dancing to the beat of her own drum. Since the Philadelphia native set TikTok’s ‘For You’ Page ablaze with her club banger, Tell Ur Girlfriend’, we had to get to know her better with this VIPER Presents interview…

What five words define your sound?

Creative, passionate, powerful, entertaining, controversial.

Tell me something unique about your creative process.

I put real life scenarios and things that I experience, that people wouldn’t talk about, into music.

Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

‘Flowers’.

What inspired you to make that song?

People only love you when you’re not there anymore. Love me now before it’s too late.

What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?

I feel like I’m always vulnerable when creating. Especially in the studio because my process of making a song is still so personal to me. I’m always sharing a part of myself no matter the feeling I’m portraying.

What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?

My boobs popped out, I was so embarrassed I didn’t know what to do [laughs]. My security grabbed me and turned me around so I could fix myself. But either way the show must go on. I still finished my set out strong and held my head high because at that point, what else was I gonna do? I ain’t going out sad like that.

What is your favourite song to perform?

Probably ‘Ick’ or ‘Tell ur Girlfriend’.

Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

Beyoncé’s ‘4’ album. She’s inspired me in so many ways, but because I grew up on her music and I’ve always admired her. She played such a big role in why I am how I am today musically. 

What’s the meaning behind your name?

Lay is short for my first name. Bankz stands for “Billionaires Attract Natural Kinetic Zen.”

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

Probably would’ve been a lawyer or a brain surgeon. Or a soccer player.

What’s success to you?

Fresh air. Being able to breathe.

What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?

When I started to realise that I didn’t wanna commit myself to anything else. This is where I wanted to be and where I was supposed to be.

Where can people keep in touch with you?

@laybankz on Instagram, @thelaybankz on TikTok and @bankerrz on Twitter.