Early Life and Education of Azealia Banks: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Azealia Banks. A timeline of key moments.

Azealia Banks is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Her debut single "212" achieved significant recognition, including being listed in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Banks is also known for her controversial social media presence and outspoken views, which have garnered substantial media attention.

Sections (5)

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

December 2014: Call for Reparations to African Americans

In December 2014, Azealia Banks called for over $100 trillion in reparations to be paid to African Americans, citing U.S. reparations to Native American communities and German reparations to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust as precedents. She urged young African Americans to take an interest in such issues, suggesting that reparations could improve educational prospects for black Americans.

September 2015: Video Surfaces Showing Use of Slur Against Delta Flight Attendant

In September 2015, a video surfaced showing Azealia Banks using the slur "faggot" against a Delta flight attendant. This sparked significant controversy and backlash.

2015: Expression of Support for Trump's Immigration Stance

In 2015, Azealia Banks expressed support for Donald Trump's hardline immigration stance, stating that the U.S. was "playing foster parent" for Mexico. This marked a notable political opinion from Banks.

May 11, 2016: Racist Tweets About Zayn Malik

On May 11, 2016, Azealia Banks posted a series of racist Tweets about British singer Zayn Malik, claiming Malik had taken inspiration from her artistry and calling him "curry scented" in addition to homophobic and racial slurs.

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 the process of skin bleaching. This sparked discussions about beauty standards and cultural perceptions.

December 2016: Witchcraft Closet Cleanup

In December 2016, Azealia Banks posted videos on Instagram detailing the cleanup of a closet where she claimed to have practiced witchcraft for three years, showing dried blood, feathers, and dead chickens.

2016: Apology for Using "Faggot"

In 2016, Azealia Banks apologized for using the word "faggot" and said she would not do it again, following previous incidents and backlash for using the term.

2016: Congratulation to Donald Trump on Election Result

In 2016, Azealia Banks publicly congratulated Donald Trump on the eventual election result. This followed earlier shifting opinions and endorsements regarding Trump's candidacy.

2016: Disclosure of Sibling's Transition

In 2016, Azealia Banks shared that one of her siblings was a trans man and congratulated him on his top surgery. This marked a public acknowledgement of her family's experience with gender transition.

September 2018: Feud with Lana Del Rey

In September 2018, Azealia Banks engaged in a feud with Lana Del Rey after Del Rey criticized Kanye West for supporting Donald Trump. The pair exchanged insults, leading up to Banks threatening to sue Del Rey.

2018: Statements About Racism Experienced in Israel

After performing in Tel Aviv in 2018, Azealia Banks said she would never visit again due to the racism she experienced in the country. She described negative exchanges with Israeli vendors and passengers on El Al, as well as claiming to have experienced racial profiling at Ben Gurion Airport, vowing "never to return" to Israel.

2020: Ordered to Seek Mental Health Treatment

In 2020, during a plea deal in Manhattan Court to avoid prison time for assault, Azealia Banks was ordered to seek mental health treatment. This marked a turning point in addressing her mental health concerns.

January 2021: Exhumation of Dead Pet Cat

In January 2021, Azealia Banks received criticism for posting a video on Instagram of her exhuming the remains of her dead pet cat, Lucifer, and collecting some of his bones. She stated she did not eat the cat and exhumed it for taxidermy.

February 2021: Engagement to Ryder Ripps

In February 2021, Azealia Banks publicly announced her engagement to American artist Ryder Ripps. This marked a significant event in her personal relationships.

2021: Move to Miami, Florida

In 2021, Azealia Banks moved from Los Angeles to Miami, citing disillusionment with the performative liberal politics of LA and adding that she felt "was safer" in Florida. She has praised Florida's governor Ron DeSantis for his perceived focus on practical issues.

October 2022: Suspension and Rejoining of Instagram

In October 2022, Azealia Banks was suspended from Instagram, but soon rejoined under a different account. This marked a disruption and subsequent return to her social media presence.

2023: Criticism of Transgender Medicine

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. This reflected her stance on resource allocation in healthcare.

July 2024: Attendance at Trump Rally

In July 2024, Azealia Banks attended a rally in support of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign in Florida, despite having previously offered her support for Ron DeSantis and his campaign. This marked a shift in her political affiliations.

March 2025: Move to Stockholm, Sweden

In March 2025, Azealia Banks revealed that she had moved to Stockholm, Sweden, despite earlier labeling Sweden a racist country and calling for it to be bombed. This marked a significant change in her living situation and stance on the country.

July 2025: Defense of Trump's Appearance in Epstein Files

In July 2025, Azealia Banks defended Trump's appearance 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: Criticism for Mocking Ukrainian Prisoner of War

In July 2025, Azealia Banks faced criticism for mocking the emaciated appearance of a recently-released Ukrainian prisoner of war. This drew significant backlash and controversy.

July 2025: Statement on Gay and Transgender Identities

In July 2025, Azealia Banks sparked criticism for stating that being gay or transgender is unnatural, claiming they stemmed from trauma responses. This statement drew significant backlash and controversy.

2025: Criticism of J.K. Rowling and Comments on Gender Identity

In 2025, Azealia Banks criticized J. K. Rowling for her "paranoid" views on trans women. When asked about her own past comments, she denied being transphobic and said that she had been reacting to "activist" rhetoric at the time; she also argued that "a female and a woman are two different concepts". She also mentioned her sibling is a trans man and noted the "pain" and "ostracism" that is caused by transphobia.

2025: Statements on Mental Health Diagnoses

In 2025, Azealia Banks stated that her previous bipolar disorder diagnosis was a misdiagnosis. She also stated that she has premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

2025: Return Performance in Israel

In 2025, despite previously vowing never to return, Azealia Banks returned to Israel, opening her performance wearing an Israeli flag and a Star of David necklace. This marked a reversal of her earlier stance on visiting the country.