Rapper Azealia Banks Moves to Israel, Cites Creative Freedom
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
American rapper Azealia Banks announced she is moving to Tel Aviv, Israel, expressing surprise at her decision given past negative experiences. After previously claiming racist treatment in 2018, Banks has recently returned to perform and work on music in Israel. She cited finding genuine connections, a mature art scene, and a liberating social environment as reasons for her move, stating she feels more creative there than she has in years.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rapper Azealia Banks announced her move to Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Banks previously claimed racist treatment in Israel in 2018.
- She recently returned to perform and work on music in Israel.
- Banks cited Israel's mature art scene and liberating social environment for her move.
- She stated she feels more creative in Israel than she has in years.
American rapper Azealia Banks announced on Tuesday that she is moving to Israel. Banks, who previously expressed strong criticism of Israel and stated she would never return, shared a photo of her move on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "If you had told me years ago that I would end up moving to Tel Aviv and also enjoy it, I would have said you were crazy." In 2018, following a performance in Tel Aviv, Banks declared she would not return to Israel due to what she described as racist treatment she experienced. She claimed at the time that she was detained at Ben Gurion Airport because of her skin color and recounted another incident during her flight to Israel, criticizing the treatment she received in Tel Aviv.
However, Banks's attitude toward Israel has significantly changed in recent years. Approximately a year ago, she returned to perform in Tel Aviv, and later visited Israel again to work on new music with Israeli producer Yinon Yahel. Now, she has announced a permanent move, stating, "I'm 5 hours away from here and finally making my album. I've found real connections here and a really cool music team, and ironically it's just easier for me to create here because Israel's art scene is really mature." Banks further commented on the differences she perceives between Israel and the United States, noting, "People don't hold grudges on social issues and that's liberating."
She added that even when Israelis disagree with her, it doesn't hinder her creativity. "Everyone in Israel thinks my political views are terribly messed up and thinks I have bad taste in men, but nobody tries to sabotage me because of it." Banks concluded her decision to move to Israel by saying, "This is the most creative I've felt in years. Thank God."
