British singer Jacob Banks is known for his velvety baritone and innovative mix of classic R&B, electronic music, reggae, hip-hop, and more.
• Born in Nigeria, Jacob Banks moved to Birmingham, England, as a teenager. After earning a degree in civil engineering, he headed to London to start playing open-mic gigs. He told his parents it was for a work placement.
• While he grew up writing poetry, he didn’t start playing guitar until he was 20. He learned from YouTube tutorials and began writing songs for fun.
• He resolved to take music seriously after his best friend from university died at age 21.
• Banks landed in the UK Top 40 in 2013, when he sang on "Alive," a hit single by the electronic duo Chase & Status.
• He released a pair of EPs—2013’s The MonologueThe Paradox—before signing with Interscope Records. His debut album, Village, followed in 2018.
Influenced by Jacob BanksJacob Banks has influenced the music of Thunderstorm Artis, H.O.M.A, Eniola Abioye and more.