3.5 stars (out of 4)
Remember Azealia Banks' 2011 single "212"? Its instant charm and indisputable beat grabbed butts and delivered them to the dance floor. Unfortunately, since then Banks has made headlines not for her music but for a revolving door of beefs with Perez Hilton, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell, Iggy Azalea, Angel Haze and many more. Earlier this year Banks split with Interscope Records.
So it was nothing short of shocking when the Harlem-raised, 23-year-old rapper (not to be confused with R&B singer Banks) tweeted the link to her much-delayed debut album "Broke with Expensive Taste" late last week. Even better: It's a unique, challenging album that almost seamlessly blends rap, dance and pop--sounding like a special skeleton key giving you access to the full fun New York City has to offer. That ranges from the drag balls ("JFK") to the weird Brooklyn loft parties (the Ariel Pink-sampling "Nude Beach A-Go-Go"). Banks also raps in both English and Spanish on "Gimme a Chance," a standout that feels like you've entered a sweaty house party in Spanish Harlem.
Impressively confident for a first record, "Broke" is one of the most New York-sounding albums I've ever heard (and that's the melting pot version of NYC, not the shiny, expensive, hosted-by-Taylor-Swift version). While Banks' flow can seem repetitive at times, her ability to channel her skills into different styles makes this a must-listen. Just maybe unfollow her on Twitter before you do.