Thyra Kigho Deshaun Oji (born 14 April 1994), better known by her

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

Ms Banks, is a Nigerian-British rapper, singer and songwriter. Oji has released three mixtapes as Ms Banks. In 2014, she released her first mixtape titled ''Once Upon a Grind''. She then released her first EP titled ''New Chapter EP'' in 2016. ''The Coldest Winter Ever'' was released in 2018, followed by ''The Coldest Winter Ever Part II'' in 2019. In 2023 she appeared alongside Ukraine's

Kalush Orchestra Kalush Orchestra is a Ukrainian folk-hip hop group founded in 2021 as a side project of Kalush (rap group), Kalush, performing hip-hop music in the Ukrainian language. They Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, represented Ukraine in the ...

as part of the opening act for the

Eurovision Song Contest 2023 The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Liverpool, United Kingdom, as , the winner of the with the song "Stefania (song), Stefania" by Kalush Orchestra, was unable to host the eve ...

hosted in

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

Early life

She was born to a Nigerian father and a Ugandan mother. Oji began writing music at age 11 and she came from very musical family. Banks grew up in South London – just off Walworth Road in Elephant and Castle – and has been grafting away for sometime, revered by her peers for her pairing of technical skill with soul-searching lyricism.

Influences

Ms Banks has cited

Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982), known professionally as Nicki Minaj ( ), is a Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Regarded as the "Queen of Rap" and one of the most influential rappers of all time, she is noted for her ...

as her biggest influence. She also cites Ms Dynamite, Estelle,

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American musician. She is celebrated as one of the most influential musical artists of her generation. Hill is credited with breaking barriers for female rappers, contributing to the popular music, m ...

Lil’ Kim Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), Those giving 1974 include: * * * * * better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper. She was born and raised in New York City and lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after ...

, Foxy Brown and Beyonce as her influences.

Discography

Mixtapes

EPs

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Tours

Supporting * Hot Girl Summer Tour (2024)

References

Black British women rappers British women rappers Living people Singers from the London Borough of Southwark People from Camberwell Rappers from the London Borough of Southwark English people of Nigerian descent English people of Ugandan descent 1994 births Long stubs with short prose {{UK-music-bio-stub