The Deep End with Banco on Banc
It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally here, BANC! I remember first catching wind of this elite level lyricist when I saw my good friend Ramon share his visuals for “Keep It P”. Even he was saying “P” before it became trendy but since he burst onto the scene with that record, everything subsequent just continued to improve in quality. On “BANC” however, we get him at his most vulnerable but it’s still packaged in that easy listening fashion that is his trademark sound. So shall we journey into his self reflection with him, I think we better.
“Spilt Liquor”
Right off rip, his ear for production is just phenomenal. The beats he chooses to self reflect upon all have this calming, airiness to them, like he’s watching all his worries just dissipate so as to let all the blessings swoop in to take their place. On “Spilt Liquor”, which I find to be a clever play on the “spilt milk” phrase, especially with the mostly white cover art, he’s not wasting anytime crying over the messes in his life, rather putting in the work necessary to not only clean up the spills but to prevent them from happening again. It’s a fierce statement to open up this body of work with the claim that he has nothing to prove to anybody & he truly doesn’t cause his drive & the results of his drive, speak for themselves. Of course, there will always be those distractions that try to act as roadblocks but his swerve game is too smooth to not avoid them.
“Captions”
Banco has been around long enough to see that everything isn’t always as it seems. Don’t get him wrong though, the fruits of his labor are too sweet for him not to indulge in but he makes sure to keep the best of people around him so he won’t get so lost in the glitz & glamour. He’s seen the best of them just come & go, the rise & fall of them all if you will but he knows he’s too unique to allow it to be his downfall as well. All those byproducts of his notoriety, his fame, they’re nice & all but there’s more to this than that for him & honestly, just knowing that about him, what girl wouldn’t have someone who’s this real in her captions, he just exudes authenticity everytime he speaks, you just feel it in his tonality & nonchalant delivery.
“3AM In Bel Air”
It took him days & nights for this & now look, his way of life is rich. Not everybody is built to put in the legwork before reaching success, in fact, it’s a must if you want to be successful in anything cause sure, it happens overnight for some but very few of those people have been able to maintain it after the fact. With Banco however, it took many nights of manifesting this before he began seeing his dreams come to fruition but he never allowed it to discourage him when it didn’t happen right away cause he, as well has people always knew it was destined. Now that he’s living his destiny, exploring new places, he never forgets where he came from & in fact, has even bigger aspirations to spend more time back at home with those who matter the most to him as opposed to only going hard for them cause that’s what it’s all about, family & balance.
“Vintage Lacoste”
Real life raps is what it’s all about with Banco & that’s why he’s so highly heralded & truth be told, he hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he’s capable of yet. This is that future vintage sound, fresher than his creased attire he deserves to flaunt so casually, consider yourself privileged just to feel his aura. He’s someone who’s never complained about any of the cards he’s been dealt & simply just did whatever he could with them. But who in their right mind doesn’t want more? It’s important that we not remain complacent cause all that means is your stagnant & not living up to your full potential. He’s aware of the naysayers who may try to run him out his city but he’s not phased cause no matter what, his spirit will forever remain. Can you believe we’re this early into the album & I’m already stamping it timeless? It’s true & so far, nothing he’s expressed has convinced me otherwise. Rap what you know & people will forever feel you but not everybody can sound this fly while doing it, the charisma flows so naturally for him.
“What About Us”
As people, I find it important that we question everything but second guess nothing & I believe that’s the point Banco is addressing with this number. What if this music never happened for him, would he have something to fall back on? His self awareness tells me he would, sounds like he had a pretty decent gig before this became full time but, for a lot of people, being a boss sounds like a a better deal than most employees currently have. It takes a lot though & everything it’s taken out of him to get to this point of being his own boss, not a lot of people can overcome the shadows of their past so to hear him elaborate on his fears of retrogressing is beautiful yet painfully daunting. You can just feel it in his words, the sheer heartache behind the sentiment makes it a real tearjerker. This is all still fairly new to him though he’s adapted gracefully, he’s not about to let up & let his loved ones down, he’s come too far to let it come to that without at least putting up a fight, which is exactly what he’s done since birth, everyday, no excuses. I must point out this is my personal favorite, I could not hold my tears back with this one, a real curveball than what I’m used to from Banco but is nonetheless very appreciated.
“10 Servings” featuring Roland Ryan
It was great learning more about Roland Ryan during their appearance on Mazi’s World, he’s a name that I keep seeing, just lurking around & I’m glad to finally have a face to the mystique, he’s as cool as he sounds & it makes sense he’s best friends with Banco, just that story of them 1st meeting is beautiful, it’s like the stars aligned effortlessly, like that moment was simply written in them. Their chemistry is more so a brotherhood & undeniable cause they’re both on similar wavelengths, both striving for more & more importantly, one another. Not everybody is what they seem so it’s very refreshing to be served the real from these two on a silver platter, both musically & lyrically. This sound is just so exquisitely luxurious & an acquired taste that not many have been able to stomach, ie; haters.
“Diamond Pumas”
He continues to talk his shit, much to the haters disdain. What’s hilarious about it, is that Banco is not even getting in the way of whatever they’re trying to do in life, in fact, it’s motivation more than anything. He doesn’t carry himself on a track like he’s anything special, he’s just keeping it P & it’s not really a concern of his if you feel any sort of way about him simply being himself. I like that he actually feels a bit sorry for them, just a bit cause he truly doesn’t give a fuck, they’re insects from the altitudes that he’s soaring at. He has no desire to ever not be rocking the flyest shit, these fruits of his labor are his trophies for his accomplishments & he still has more to obtain.
“Big Amount” featuring Matthew Jordan
This man may be the flyest shit talker ever cause the real that is him has refused to not back it up. He’s been on the move & it’s great that he has a support system back home holding him down cause he can’t enjoy these big amounts alone so they know when he touches back down in his city, it’s a celebration. His determination is palpable, there’s no doubting the hustler in him, he’s addicted to the rush it gives him succeeding in all aspects of his life. Even when he’s down a bit, that only means to him that there’s more work to be done & not enough time to sit around doing nothing to make up for it. It was nice hearing Matthew Jordan briefly as well, for as little he speaks on this number, it makes the record all the more lit as it antes up this infectious hook.
“What About Us part 2”
Essentially a chopped n screwed version of the original but that only emphasizes where the fuck our guy is from & what he represents. Even where he chose to place this rendition within the structure of this record, it really flows nicely with it all as we enter the wind down section of this opus. Not only that, but, it still hit me as hard as the original, emotionally speaking, makes it feel more so like a fever dream.
“Never Be Another”
You’re damn right there will never be another Banco, just the way he opens his verse with more of that real, he’s so incessant with it & I can’t help but smile cause I know he knows the haters are writing over the fact. He’s not a petty guy though & he’s not trying to discourage anybody from accomplishing their goals, he doesn’t pretend that it was easy for him to attain everything he has just cause he makes it look so easy. That’s what happens when you’re so determined to make your dreams come true, to the outsiders, it’ll always seem that way but they just don’t know & unless they wanna make that effort to know, how they feel shouldn’t concern you. They don’t have to love you but they will respect you, there’s only one of you so take a page out of Banco’s book & own that shit.
“Always”
This one might be at a tie for my personal favorite actually, I don’t know why I haven’t added it to the nighttime portion of my playlist so forgive me Banco, I’ll get that added shortly. It’s just an all around great record that deserves to be a major hit, to my ears it is. He’s just basking in his glow & literally every single bar is so fly, no filler whatsoever. Even the topics he’s transitioning into with such ease, from family to his stature in the game to even the mistakes he’s made in his past, the sacrifices it took for him to get to this point. “They write reviews about my songs, I wrote about my battles” is one of his best bars in this album, not just cause the obvious either, it’s just real, sometimes people just be saying shit but not really knowing that it’s more than just music they probably just skimmed through to begin with. Silly them though cause this album has zero skips & we ain’t even done but it was safe for me to say to myself off rip.
“New Braunfels”
He is indeed the one putting his city on the map & boy must they be proud to call him the hometown hero but he has everything required to touch all areas of life, the music he’s crafted here is that great. Although he’s a bit homesick, he knows he’s doing what’s necessary for his city & loved ones back home. He doesn’t take anything in this life for granted & appreciates anybody who’s been along for the journey & for even the new supporters he’s garnered. It’s amazing what can happen in a year & he’s barely going into year 2 so imagine how much bigger this is gonna get but no matter what, he’s always gonna bring it back home.
To conclude, Banco already has a classic under his belt with this one & I don’t really care that we haven’t let it marinate long enough, I know timeless when I hear it & this is that. Not to mention the legendary cover art that wasn’t even intentional on his part but was clearly just destined to be. I suggest y’all go rewatch his conversation on Mazi’s World to hear more about it cause I can’t reiterate it any better than he explained it, I’d probably butcher it. I might even need to do a deeper delve into country, a genre I’ve never really bothered with like that but I am aware of the legendary George Strait so I might have to start with “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind”, after this beautiful homage. Much to love to Banco for blessing us with such beautiful, timeless & honest music & S/o DIOS, you gotta admire the DIY attitude.
In the middle of the globe where you can see the stars in New Braunfels and the skyline of San Antonio, we cut up the block with Banco to talk in depth about his album where he clutched a Belaire Bottle with his DIOS tee glowing under the street light cruising to Banc blaring in the background.
Q: “Banc” will be your third album in your defying catalog, what’s the feeling like seeing how “Keep It P” took off to see you now with prominent singles, dominating features & illustrious visuals on your resume?
🥂Man I’m just getting started. The accomplishments and accolades are just that. I appreciate every single one of them but I know I can do so much more so I don’t try to get too caught up in thinking about them too much. Sometimes I do wonder though, what it looks like from the outside, because to me it’s just results from the work ya know?
Q: Did you walk into this album differently than its predecessors since you have accomplished more at this time than before?
In a way yeah. I had different things to talk about forsure. I saw so much last year, and I saw so much in between dropping River City Summer and the recording process for this one I had a lot of shit to talk. A lot of food I tasted to talk about, a lot of views I saw, a lot of people I met, just hella different experiences. Actually recording and writing though was pretty much the same. Sometimes I feel like a machine I just get in there make the songs get them ready for y’all and go, only difference is the shit I see between the projects.
Q: You speak highly of your come up on the project and how New Braunfels was always in your heart, would you say this is your personal love letter to your hometown?
Man crazy you say that. I’m working on something with PorVida a producer from NB I grew up with and we’re making that, a love letter to New Braunfels. But to answer that question yeah of course. Love letter, a dedication to, a letter of appreciation more so I’d say. I grew up in a place Rappers aren’t produced man so to be able to take this shit as far as I have from my little city I’m appreciative of. For believing in me, for not believing in me, for pushing me, for trying to hold me back, all of it. All of the people I grew up with, my life long friends my ex, my old block, the river, my favorite food spots, my family, down to the fuckin pot hole I gotta dodge down the street from my moms crib, it’s a love letter to all that shit.
Q: Any track off the album that means more to you after recording and having time to hear it?
Man there’s one record I didn’t put on there after all that means sum to me. Ima sit on it for a while and probably put it out on the deluxe. It’s called Divine Way, it’s a main road my best friend and I grew up off of. Keep on the look out for that. One that’s on the album tho that means a lot to me is Never Be Another, I get chills listening to that alone. I dedicated that to my late great cousin Isaiah Salazar, may he Rest In Peace. He passed away a few years ago and I wanted to carry his name on somehow. The hook is about how no matter what happens in this rap shit there’s never going to be another ME no one can do the same shit I’ve done/going to do and if they try they can’t do it better. I paralleled that to the fact there’s never going to be another Isaiah, may he live forever in our hearts.
Q: With 2021 just finishing weeks ago, can you give us three highlights that you had in the year? It could be personal or career accomplishments
Man that ain’t far y’all know what I did last year? Nah I’m playing
Made a record with one of my favorite artists, L E Dolla mothafucka and meeting my DIOS family
Being able to maintain and live a life where I can make music and put it out regularly
Kept more than 1 house plant alive
Q: I know we’ve spoken in the past about goals you want in his music being that you want to be comfortable with expenses around you paid off, would you say its still the same or would you say theirs more on the line for you now?
Yeah man that’s the goal but on a bigger scale. I want to be able to live comfortably and support my lifestyle completely off of music but not just for myself but for my mom too. There’s definitely more on the line now and more that I want now than ever.
Q: What motivates you to continue doing music day in and day out and choosing this as a career?
The fans. The people that tell me they love it. Not even on no corny shit but if I didn’t have people telling me they really actually fucked with it I wouldn’t be making music or putting it out like I do. I can easily make music at a slower pace and keep it to myself, but it’s the fact I know people want it, and if anyone where I’m from is going to give it to them.. why not me? Also, the fact I know there’s a bigger road this can lead to, I’m still young man I can still explore different opportunities and options in life and if music can take me down those roads let’s get it.
Q: You posted on your Instagram story that we should ask about George Straits “Does Forth Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” which like him was an ode to the Texas city, was this the inspiration you had with New Braunfels in mind when making this album?
Yes, and a lot of other things like I mentioned before. But really man I was on a country kick right before I started recording the album. And man country music in general was a big inspiration behind the album. Country music is so raw and just honest it’s crazy. They don’t have a reason to lie or try to act cool, they get up on that mic and talk their shit about however they’re feeling. Wether it’s about being drunk, missing someone, loving someone, being lost, being on top of the world all that shit. So I took that with me, if they can be that honest and people love it, why can’t I? Country music is Texas as fuck. New Braunfels is Texas As fuck it’s only right for me to do. On top of that, the cover to Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind was subconsciously the inspiration behind the cover art for BANC
Q: Anything outside of music that you hope to accomplish in the year?
Man nothing I want to share. Shit I want to pick up a camera soon and start documenting everything I see visually cause dude I see a lot of shit everyday
Q: If you had to start off a pitch to get a Belaire sponsorship, what would it sound like?
If I had to convince belaire to sponsor me? I’d send them my monthly bank statements man
Q: Any features or producers you would love to work with this year, local or industry level?
Cardo! And June really the only people I would care to make music with on a industry level. Shit Rich Greedy. bro even if it’s just him doing adlibs for me haha man his shit is hard. Randy Rogers, shout out New Braunfels, I want Randy on a record talking shit for me like on an outro or sum. He stays in NB it’s only right Dubb or Kay from Frito Gang idk which one makes the beats or if it’s both of them but their beats are dumb I’m tryna get a beat soon, shit even a feature they nice wit it foreal. Mikestone from Frito Gang, he’s one of my favorite rappers in SA. Reek & Sage them boys nice too. Shit I can’t think of anyone else off the top of my head right now
Q: What are five words you think best describes Banco?
What
The
Game
Been
Missing