Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Azealia Banks

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Azealia Banks.

Azealia Banks is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for her music and controversial social media presence. Hailing from Harlem, she gained recognition after releasing music on Myspace and later signed with XL Recordings. Her breakthrough song "212" was highly acclaimed, considered a defining track of the 2010s by prominent music publications. Banks continues to be a figure of public interest due to her outspoken and often contentious online activity.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: Communications Act

In 2003, The United Kingdom's Communications Act 2003 was cited by a barrister who suggested that comments made by Banks on Instagram calling Irish people "inbred" and appearing to make light of the Great Famine could breach the Communications Act.

2015: Homophobic language incident

In 2015, Azealia Banks used homophobic language when she called a flight attendant a "fucking faggot" during an "in-flight meltdown". She later posted a "Twitter tirade" against the LGBT community.

May 11, 2016: Tweets towards Zayn Malik

On May 11, 2016, Azealia Banks posted a series of Tweets that Time said were "racially-charged" and "inappropriate" towards Zayn Malik.

2016: Music Festival Cancellation

In 2016, Azealia Banks had her performance at a music festival canceled following remarks she made about Zayn Malik.

2018: Experiences in Israel and Comments on Jewish Influence

In 2018, Azealia Banks criticized the racism she experienced in Israel on Twitter. She described negative interactions with Israeli vendors and passengers on El Al, racial profiling at Ben Gurion Airport, and stated she would "never return" to Israel. Banks then shared a post on Twitter claiming that Jewish people had too much influence in the entertainment industry.

2019: Accusations Against SAS and Call for Bombing Sweden

In 2019, Azealia Banks accused SAS staff of profiling her on an Instagram post on a flight leaving from Stockholm, deeming Swedish people as racist. Soon after this, Banks shared another post calling for Sweden to be bombed.

2019: Criticism of Aer Lingus and Insulting Remarks

In early 2019, Azealia Banks criticized Aer Lingus on Instagram, claiming she was banned. She also made insulting remarks about Irish women, comparing them to Oompa-Loompas and calling herself the "queen of Ireland".

October 2020: Twitter Suspension

In October 2020, Azealia Banks' Twitter account was suspended following remarks about the COVID-19 vaccine that were deemed transphobic.

2020: Comments on gay men and horse culture

In 2020, Azealia Banks said gay men were "appropriating horse culture" by using harnesses, ketamine, and sexual lubricant.

2021: Comments on trans women

In 2021, Azealia Banks stated that trans women are "just gay boys on hormones using male aggression to force their ways into women's spaces".

April 2022: Controversial Comments on Ukraine and Russia

In April 2022, Azealia Banks posted an Instagram story repeatedly chastising Ukraine in the 2022 Russian invasion of the country, claiming, without evidence, that Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy prevented African exchange students from leaving the country, also claiming without evidence that Ukraine was using its embassies in African countries to recruit mercenaries to fight in Ukraine.

October 2022: Instagram Suspension

In October 2022, Azealia Banks was suspended from Instagram.

November 2023: Accusations against Diplo

In November 2023, Azealia Banks accused record producer Diplo of sexual coercion during their collaborations when she was a minor, alleging he pressured her for sex in exchange for music and withheld tracks, also accusing him of misconduct towards other women.

2023: Views on gender-affirming surgery funding

In 2023, Azealia Banks argued that state funding for other healthcare issues should take precedence over funding for gender-affirming surgery, which she compared to cosmetic surgery.

July 2025: Defense of Trump over Epstein files allegations

In July 2025, Azealia Banks defended Trump over accusations of him appearing in the Epstein files, claiming that "[having sex with] 14 year old girls was really only made a social taboo in the 1990s".

July 2025: Mockery of Ukrainian marine

In July 2025, Azealia Banks mocked Ukrainian marine Oleksandr Kiriienko's emaciated appearance following his Russian captivity, writing on X, "Well, something needed to stop his fat a** from eating."

July 2025: Remarks on the unnaturalness of being gay or transgender

In July 2025, Azealia Banks sparked controversy for stating that being gay or transgender is unnatural, claiming these identities stem from trauma responses.

2025: Criticism of Aer Lingus on Twitter

In 2025, Azealia Banks criticized Aer Lingus again on Twitter, repeating comments about the staff's appearances, likening them to characters from James and the Giant Peach, and stating the airline "needs help".

2025: Removal From Milkshake Festival Lineup

In 2025, Azealia Banks was removed from the lineup of the Milkshake Festival due to backlash over Banks' opinions on the LGBTQ community. After Swedish singer Loreen was added to the lineup following Banks' cancellation, Banks insulted her and accused her of being anti-Semitic.