Today, we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Banks Jr.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
What’s good, Houston? I’m Anthony, also known by other aliases, such as ‘Tee’ or ‘TJ.’ I was born in Cook Co. in Evanston, IL, and raised in the muddiest part of Mississippi, where I spent most of my life before making my journey to the ‘Lone Star’ spotlight in Houston. Currently, at 32, I’m an up-and-coming independent artist signed through United Masters by the name “TrillManTee.” I’ve been working my way into the spotlight while music has been my way of expressing my experiences, from living a life where hardship was amongst those who made poor decisions to representing those who weren’t given the chance to voice their pain in unfortunate times. I grew up as a child who went through the phases of being around music and literally being one to utilize the sounds of just the instruments alone to find peace when needed. From the views of the child I was then, through the lens of the man I am today, “TrillManTee” wouldn’t even be possible if The Most High hadn’t carried me and those who’ve been with me thus far. I was born with the spirit of discernment, realizing that no matter what happens in life or what path life takes you on, the Most High is always the chauffeur behind HIS wheel (HIS will). Growing up around my parents listening to the oldies from ‘Color Me Bad’ to ‘The Delfonics, etc., it was only right for me as a young man to get the feel of the soul heard from the cadences of the greats in those times til present day. I remember getting in trouble for beating on the tables from the scraping sounds of the pencils in rhythm while everyone else was getting their fix from being in the circle waiting to rap in the ciphers we held in the lunchroom. The first time I ever was truly introduced to music was when I went to visit my cousin Cameron, who went by the name ‘C-Banks’ at the time out of Lafayette, Indiana, where he invited me to his recording session when I was just an ankle biter around ten years old. For years I’ve been into the whole art of writing and journalizing my OWN work as a songwriter. Originality has always played a role in my time, from listening to instrumentals to being one to record just off-top. Versatility has always been easy for me to adopt as an artist because growing up in the ’90s, listening to legendary artists like 2Pac, Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Z-Ro, and K-Rino practically paved the way for originality to become. I could name a lot more.
-TrillManTee
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Man… it’s been a journey, I would say. I grew up facing the challenges of dealing with the traumas of what a broken home brings. I’m not one to fabricate anything, but when you are too young to understand why things take place, you’ll begin to use your imagination by trying to attempt to relieve yourself from it all… Now, back to the question at hand, it wasn’t easy because of the struggles I faced during my journey. I was placed into two mental institutions at the age of 11 due to being depressed and mentally unstable to process a lot that I’ve seen, and I was incarcerated at 12 for domestic violence, where I experienced the hard truth firsthand. I stayed in trouble, stayed in the streets, and then later, a gang was introduced. I was truly misled and felt that my life was spinning out of control due to the anger and frustration of why I felt things, and the whole world was against me. All were traumatizing events, and I deal with them in present-day times through the sounds of music, which I use for therapeutic measures. Why in the form of music? I feel it’s my calling to reach the hearts and minds of the audience by making relatable music and stating the hard truth no matter who it touches. I’m all about reconciliation and telling it how it is! “before you clean a fish, you must catch ’em first!”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a musician and an independent artist through United Masters. I’m most proud of becoming one with a voice and talent to be able to push stories of what’s happening in the real world and just being myself in the process. What sets me apart? I would simply say that me having the willingness to take the leap of faith into a crowd of different people who are looking to be rejuvenated through the means of my pushing good, relatable music as a modern-day prophet in the music life.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
Yes. I learned that awareness is everything when it comes to safety and our health.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/TrillManTee
- Facebook: Facebook.com/TrillManTee
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRTJ6t5f/
