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 from Harlem, New York City. She began her career by releasing music on Myspace, leading to early record deals with XL Recordings, Interscope, and Polydor. She later became an independent artist and founded her own label, Chaos & Glory Recordings. Banks also had stints with Parlophone and Warner Records before becoming independent again in 2023.

Sections (5)

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

December 2014: Call for Reparations

In December 2014, Azealia Banks called for over $100 trillion to be paid to African Americans as financial reparations for the enslavement of their ancestors. She cited U.S. reparations to Native American communities and German reparations to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust as precedents.

2015: Homophobic Language Incident

In 2015, Azealia Banks used homophobic language, calling a flight attendant a "fucking faggot" during an "in-flight meltdown". Later that month, she posted a "Twitter tirade" against the LGBT community.

May 2016: Racist and Homophobic Rant

In May 2016, Azealia Banks posted what several media outlets described as a racist and homophobic rant against Zayn Malik and Skai Jackson. As a result, Banks was dropped by her UK booking agency and a hip-hop festival, and her Twitter account was suspended.

July 2016: Admission of Skin Lightening

In July 2016, Azealia Banks admitted to lightening her skin due to blemishes caused by her birth control regimen and defended skin bleaching.

October 2016: Police Report Against Russell Crowe

In October 2016, Azealia Banks filed a police report against actor Russell Crowe, claiming that he choked and spat at her before proceeding to call her the n word during a party in his hotel suite.

October 2016: Retraction of Trump Endorsement

In October 2016, Azealia Banks retracted her previous endorsement of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, stating that "Women's rights are important and we must protect them."

December 2016: Witchcraft Closet Videos

In December 2016, Azealia Banks posted videos on Instagram detailing her cleanup of a closet where she claimed to have been practicing witchcraft. The video appeared to show dried blood, feathers, and the carrion of dead chickens.

May 2018: Denouncement of racists in Israel

In May 2018, Azealia Banks denounced "racists" in Israel and stated she would never return to the country. This occurred before she stated that she was a Zionist.

January 2019: Xenophobic Remarks About Irish People

In January 2019, Azealia Banks posted xenophobic remarks about Irish people, in which she used ethnic slurs and mocked the Great Famine, after performing in Ireland.

August 8, 2020: Announcement of Euthanasia Intention

On August 8, 2020, Azealia Banks announced her intention to end her life by euthanasia and document the process on film.

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.

February 2021: Engagement to Ryder Ripps

In February 2021, Azealia Banks publicly announced her engagement to American artist Ryder Ripps. The relationship ended the following month, with the couple having made and sold an audio sex tape as an NFT.

2021: Comments on Trans Women

In 2021, Azealia Banks said 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. She also praised Russia's president Vladimir Putin.

March 10, 2023: Release of "New Bottega"

On March 10, 2023, "New Bottega," a collaboration between Azealia Banks and Australian house producer Torren Foot, was released by Sweat It Out, an Australian dance music label. However, Banks later stated that she did not authorize the release.

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November 2023: Accusations against Diplo

In November 2023, Azealia Banks accused American record producer Diplo of sexually coercing her when she was 17 years old. She alleged that he pressured her for sexual relations in exchange for music and then withheld the tracks. She further accused him of sexual misconduct towards other women and called for his cancellation from the music industry.

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, comparing it to cosmetic surgery.

March 2025: Move to Stockholm, Sweden

In March 2025, Azealia Banks revealed that she had moved to Stockholm, Sweden, despite having previously labeled the country as racist and called for it to be bombed.

June 2025: Stance on Israel and Palestine

In June 2025, Azealia Banks stated that she was a Zionist and supported Israel, writing "Fuck Palestine" on X. She cited anti-black racism in the Arab world. She asserted that Israel should only give Afro-Palestinians asylum. She had previously denounced "racists" in Israel and stated she would never return to the country in May 2018.