Jacob Banks

Jacob Banks (July 24, 1991) is a Nigerian-born English singer-songwriter from Birmingham who seamlessly combines elements from hip-hop, R&B, and reggae to produce a slick melange of urban-inspired sounds. Even though his passion for performing was always evident, it wasn’t until a friend passed away that he fully devoted himself to music. After winning the 2012 MOBO UnSung regional competition in 2012, Jacob Banks released his first EP The Monologue (2013), which was picked up by several specialized media outlets, and accompanied Scottish singer Emeli Sande on her UK tour. In the following years, he collaborated with like-minded artists such as Bondax, Jake Gosling, Knox Brown, Plan B, and Wretch 32, and released a second EP titled The Paradox in 2015. Jacob Banks’ ever-expanding catalog caught the attention of American label Interscope Records, who swiftly signed him to their roster and released the EP The Boy Who Cried Freedom (2017) as well as his major-label debut, Village (2018). The album elicited praise from critics and audiences alike, mainly thanks to its hi-fi production and masterfully crafted singles like “Unknown (To You)” and “Be Good to Me” featuring Seinabo Sey. Subsequently, he continued his ascent to stardom with the non-album single “Love Ain't Enough” (2020) with Ghetts and “Devil That I Know” (2020), included in his 2021 EP For My Friends.