FEATURED PLAYLIST
Spotify
Iyana Banks is an artist, musician, and content creator based in Los Angeles. She works with a range of different mediums; some of which include drawing, sculpting, writing, and collage.
ABOUT THE PLAYLIST
A song that makes you smile?
Hope Tala - Moontime
A song that you can listen to on repeat?
Moonchild - Doors Closing
A song that reminds you of home?
Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman, No Cry (my dad would play this on his guitar and sing it to me a lot while I was growing up. I’ve heard my dad sing this song more times than I’ve heard Bob sing it.)
A song that helps you unwind?
Jenevieve - Baby Powder
Last song you sent to someone?
April + Vista - Fo’Sho
If your life were a song, which song would it be?
Princess Nokia - The Conclusion (I really love the lyrics in this song, I resonate with a lot of them)
A song that reminds you of someone you love?
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Everybody Loves the Sunshine & Roy Ayers - Searching (my dad played guitar with Roy Ayers for a few years. Every time I hear one of these songs I think about how legendary my pops is. If you go on YouTube and watch the Soul Train performance my dad is the guitar player in the fly ass outfit.)
Your go-to song to boost your mood?
Missy Elliot - The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
A song that makes you want to dance?
Moliy - Ghana Bop & Amaraae - SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY (ft. Moliy)
A song you like to enjoy a meal to?
Erykah Badu - On & On
5 bonus songs of your choice! Tell us why you chose each one of them.
1. Ravyn Lenae - Rewind. The beat, the melody. I love her music, her voice is beautiful. Perfect song to bump when you’re driving.
2. Dianna Lopez - Chrysalis. When Dianna dropped the visual for this song I probably listened to it on repeat for like an hour. Really though it was more than just listening, I was meditating with this song. Tears were streaming down my face. I connected with the song so much, it felt like with every listen I was healing & uncovering deep rooted layers. The simplicity of it really touched me. Her music is beautiful. She’s a poet.
3. Goapele - Closer. This whole song is an affirmation. It pulls at my heart strings and will never get old.
4. Moses Sumney - Don’t Bother Calling. A perfect song for contemplation, yoga, or graceful movement. This song is stunning. His voice is silk.
5. Charlotte Dos Santos - Red Clay. I love singing along to this song. Her voice is beautiful + I love the imagery in the lyrics.
More About Iyana
What are you most passionate about?
Turning my dreams into my reality.
When do you feel most like “you”?
When my imagination is stimulated, when I’m creating and collaborating, when I’m feeling good.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a musician and songwriter. One of the songs I wrote on got picked up for the movie trailer of a major motion picture this year. That’s been pretty game-changing. I’ll be releasing some music very soon. Stay tuned (;
What does self-care mean for you?
Being attentive and nurturing to your Self. Doing acts of love for yourself. Paying attention to your wants, needs, and desires and moving toward them. Taking mindful moments to improve your mental and physical health.
What’s inspiring you right now?
Reading and writing have been keeping my mind in a really beautiful place recently, igniting lots of ideas, and keeping my imagination active.
What’s your favorite thing to do at home?
I recently moved into such a beautiful space so I absolutely love spending time here. I love to read and write, or practice playing my harp or guitar. Occasionally I even roller skate in the hallway. Possibilities are endless in my new space. I’m extremely grateful. It’s such an upgrade.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
My perfect day consists of feeling joy, eating delicious food, spending quality time with myself and with the people I love. Seeing beautiful places. Spending time in nature. Laughing. Listening to beautiful music. Moving my body. Creating art (whatever inspires me in that moment whether it’s painting, sculpting, making music, writing, i.e.). Watching the sunset. Having sweet dreams <3
What’s your favorite live music show you ever went to?
Ooo this is a hard one. I saw Erykah Badu once with my dad. I cried. Her voice is so much more incredible in person than it is in recordings. How is this possible? I have no idea. I could listen to her sing all day. I hope to see her perform live again. And again.
When do you feel most creative?
When I’m inspired, when I’m connecting/collaborating with other creatives, and in my alone time.
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
Hmm… probably my clay after I sculpt. Haha. Applications for a personal chef are currently being accepted.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Music, my journal, and my imagination.
ABOUT THE PLAYLIST
A song that makes you smile?
Hope Tala - Moontime
A song that you can listen to on repeat?
Moonchild - Doors Closing
A song that reminds you of home?
Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman, No Cry (my dad would play this on his guitar and sing it to me a lot while I was growing up. I’ve heard my dad sing this song more times than I’ve heard Bob sing it.)
A song that helps you unwind?
Jenevieve - Baby Powder
Last song you sent to someone?
April + Vista - Fo’Sho
If your life were a song, which song would it be?
Princess Nokia - The Conclusion (I really love the lyrics in this song, I resonate with a lot of them)
A song that reminds you of someone you love?
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Everybody Loves the Sunshine & Roy Ayers - Searching (my dad played guitar with Roy Ayers for a few years. Every time I hear one of these songs I think about how legendary my pops is. If you go on YouTube and watch the Soul Train performance my dad is the guitar player in the fly ass outfit.)
Your go-to song to boost your mood?
Missy Elliot - The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
A song that makes you want to dance?
Moliy - Ghana Bop & Amaraae - SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY (ft. Moliy)
A song you like to enjoy a meal to?
Erykah Badu - On & On
5 bonus songs of your choice! Tell us why you chose each one of them.
1. Ravyn Lenae - Rewind. The beat, the melody. I love her music, her voice is beautiful. Perfect song to bump when you’re driving.
2. Dianna Lopez - Chrysalis. When Dianna dropped the visual for this song I probably listened to it on repeat for like an hour. Really though it was more than just listening, I was meditating with this song. Tears were streaming down my face. I connected with the song so much, it felt like with every listen I was healing & uncovering deep rooted layers. The simplicity of it really touched me. Her music is beautiful. She’s a poet.
3. Goapele - Closer. This whole song is an affirmation. It pulls at my heart strings and will never get old.
4. Moses Sumney - Don’t Bother Calling. A perfect song for contemplation, yoga, or graceful movement. This song is stunning. His voice is silk.
5. Charlotte Dos Santos - Red Clay. I love singing along to this song. Her voice is beautiful + I love the imagery in the lyrics.
More About Iyana
What are you most passionate about?
Turning my dreams into my reality.
When do you feel most like “you”?
When my imagination is stimulated, when I’m creating and collaborating, when I’m feeling good.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a musician and songwriter. One of the songs I wrote on got picked up for the movie trailer of a major motion picture this year. That’s been pretty game-changing. I’ll be releasing some music very soon. Stay tuned (;
What does self-care mean for you?
Being attentive and nurturing to your Self. Doing acts of love for yourself. Paying attention to your wants, needs, and desires and moving toward them. Taking mindful moments to improve your mental and physical health.
What’s inspiring you right now?
Reading and writing have been keeping my mind in a really beautiful place recently, igniting lots of ideas, and keeping my imagination active.
What’s your favorite thing to do at home?
I recently moved into such a beautiful space so I absolutely love spending time here. I love to read and write, or practice playing my harp or guitar. Occasionally I even roller skate in the hallway. Possibilities are endless in my new space. I’m extremely grateful. It’s such an upgrade.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
My perfect day consists of feeling joy, eating delicious food, spending quality time with myself and with the people I love. Seeing beautiful places. Spending time in nature. Laughing. Listening to beautiful music. Moving my body. Creating art (whatever inspires me in that moment whether it’s painting, sculpting, making music, writing, i.e.). Watching the sunset. Having sweet dreams <3
What’s your favorite live music show you ever went to?
Ooo this is a hard one. I saw Erykah Badu once with my dad. I cried. Her voice is so much more incredible in person than it is in recordings. How is this possible? I have no idea. I could listen to her sing all day. I hope to see her perform live again. And again.
When do you feel most creative?
When I’m inspired, when I’m connecting/collaborating with other creatives, and in my alone time.
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
Hmm… probably my clay after I sculpt. Haha. Applications for a personal chef are currently being accepted.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Music, my journal, and my imagination.