Sterling Banks has a new single called "Scrub" and it's a total hip hop dream pop banger.
The track features ambient tones and old school beats with a fresh rap flow and a crazy catchy chorus that gets you hooked.
"Scrub" doesn't let up for a second and hits with and edge that's tough to beat.
There is something addicting about the track and about Sterling herself as she has no problem putting it all out there. You can feel 'the no fucks given' aspect of this track from miles away.
Just the right level of aggression and straight up lyrical approach to make you hit repeat as soon as the track ends.
"Scrub" is part of a string of singles released from Sterling throughout this year and they all have the ability to get you caught up in her world.
We had to have a chat with Sterling about all we could. Here's how it went down.
RAG: Hey Sterling, let's start with "Scrub". This track really crosses indie-pop with R&B and Hip Hop with ambient undertones and some smooth flow. Where did this song come from?
Sterling: This song was of course inspired by the iconic classic “No Scrub” by TLC. I was having a falling out with a boy, and was playing around with TLC’s hit on the piano. When I went into the studio with this beat, I was intending to make it a cover song, but as I kept working on it, it became more and more my own until it was completely an original. I feel like this is a really relatable feeling- when things fall apart between you and someone, there’s typically a lot of salt. This was my way to express my salt about the situation.
RAG: How long have you been doing this? How did this all start for you?
Sterling: I started playing classical piano at the age of five, so music has always been a center point in my life. I was in tons of bands throughout my college years, but recently decided to take the leap into taking artistry seriously and refining my craft as a solo artist. Early 2020 I started releasing music, and have been dropping singles throughout the year since. I plan to release an album at the end of the year to finalize my first year as a dedicated solo artist!
RAG: What artists influenced you musically?
Sterling: I listened to a lot of pop as a young girl, mainstream stuff like Brittney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Usher. I remember the first time I borrowed one of my brother’s burned CD’s that has Ludacris and Eminem on it, and it completely changed my view on music. I was heavily influenced by Eminem growing up, but have been influenced by incredible artists like Russ, Kehlani, Jhene Aiko, and Grieves as I’ve started finding my own style and sound.
RAG: What next for you as an artist? Anything in the works even now?
Sterling: I’m finishing up an Album titled “Disassembly” that I will release on New Years. “Disassembly” is the musical journey through the last few years of my life as I’ve completely taken myself apart, and redesigned myself into the incredible powerhouse I know I’m capable of becoming. It touches on Love (both falling in and out of), Pain, Self-Awareness, and deep rooted morals such as Loyalty (one of the records is actually titled “Loyalty”). Next year I’ll be putting in the hard work of doing as many shows (live if possible, virtual if Covid is still an issue) to build up my fan base and get my name out there.
RAG: Did you used to play live shows before? Do you think you'll be planning gigs when the time comes?
Sterling: I’ve done many live shows in my time when I was in bands, so I’m very excited to start performing on stage again as a solo artist when Covid permits.
RAG: What does someone like you do when you're not working on music?
Sterling: When I’m not working on music, I’m busy still doing music related stuff! I work as an engineer at a recording studio, as well as doing photography and videography for a lot of the clients who come in! I’m also a mom of two littles (you’ll often hear cameos of them on my records) and currently back in school getting a business degree!
RAG: What kind of advice would you give other aspiring artists out there just trying to get heard?
Sterling: The advice I’d give other aspiring artists trying to be heard is to be prepared to put in the work. It’s not going to just happen because you have good music. The music industry is so saturated, even with a lot of good music, that you have to put in the hours to get yourself noticed. Learn to market yourself, educate yourself on the industry, and be constantly sharing your music with EVERYONE. If you don’t show up, people won’t know you exists. Period.
RAG: What sort of non-musical things influence you to write?
Sterling: What influences me to write is the things happening in my life. I’m very driven by my emotions when it comes to musical expression. I always feel a little bad for people who fuck me over, cuz they will get a song written about them. I’m not afraid to be honest or speak my mind in general, but being able to put my feelings on a track really help me to work through my emotions and let go.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of your music?
Sterling: To the fans of my music- Thank you for rocking with me. It truly inspires me to keep chasing my dreams when someone says they relate to my music or people I don’t know are singing along with my songs. Thank you for being apart of my journey and helping me fulfill my purpose.