DeJonay Banks
| DeJonay Banks | |
|---|---|
.png) Banks in 2022 | |
| Born |
DeJonay Gisele Banks September 4, 1986 Houston, Texas, United States |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | DeJonay Fowler |
| Ethnicity |
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 2009–present |
| Works | |
| Net worth | $87 million |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) |
| Spouse(s) | Marques (m. 2013) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | USNation |
| Genres |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | |
DeJonay Gisele Banks (born September 4, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child, and rose to fame in the early 2010s when she launched her own solo music career. Her first studio album release, Headstrong was released in 2010, and launched success top ten singles, earned six GRAMMY nominations and one subsequent win, and even featured the Billboard Singles Chart number-one singles "Strut Ya" and "Bedroom".
Following the overwhelming success, Banks tried her hand in the acting industry and secured the part of Diana Ross in the Darklighter Productions biopic Diana. Her portrayal of Ross earned her a nomination at the 1st Annual MovieNation Awards in the category of Outstanding Breakthrough Performance. Banks released her second studio album, Love & Sound, Vol.1: The Declaration (2012), which contained the hits "Basshunter featuring music producer Marques, "Asylum" and "Too Little Too Late". That same year, Banks launched her first-ever residency revue Viva La Diva in support of The Declaration album. Her marriage to Marques influenced her third studio release, The First Lady (2014), which saw Banks take a more executive role in the production of her music; she co-write and co-produced every track on the record. She also starred in her second feature film. Husband, which earned over $105 million dollars at the Box Office. The First Lady earned Banks endless nominations, including wins at the GRAMMY Award for Album of the Year and the award for Favorite R&B/Hip Hop Single at the 3rd Annual American Music Awards. In 2015, Banks released her first-ever greatest hits compilation, Mz Banks: A Retrospective, featuring three brand-new songs.
Known for her dynamic, highly choreographed performances, critics' continued praise of Banks has lead to become one of the most recognized faces in the MusicNation industry. Throughout her career, Banks has sold over 75 million albums in the U.S. alone, she is highly considered one of the best-selling female recording artists of all-time. She has won a total of four GRAMMY Awards, three American Music Awards and three Video Music Awards.
Early life
DeJonay Gisele Banks was born in Houston, Texas, to Tyra Banks (née London), a hairdresser and salon owner, and Donald Banks, a Xerox sales manager. Banks' middle name is a tribute to her grandmother, Gisele. Banks also has a younger sister, Ameriie. Donald is African-American, while Tyra is of Louisiana Creole descent (with African, Native American, French, Cajun, and distant Irish and Spanish ancestry). Growing up, she was raised in a Methodist household.
Banks attended St. Mary's Elementary School in Fredericksburg, Texas, where she enrolled in dance classes. Her singing talent was discovered when dance instructor Darlette Johnson began humming a song and she finished it, able to hit the high-pitched notes. Banks' interest in music and performing continued after winning a school talent show at age seven and in the subsequent year, she was enrolled in Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in Houston, where she would perform with the school's choir. She also attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and was also a member of the choir at St. John's United Methodist Church as a soloist for two years.
In 2008, at the age of 22, Banks left Texas and began to pursue a music career. Managed by her father, Banks auditioned for several record labels. By February 2009, Banks had signed a recording contract with Music Nation Label Group. In the subsequent months, following her parents' decision to divorce, she departed the label in the hopes of securing a better deal, and her planned debut album Jeweled Eyes were scrapped. In January 2010, Banks signed a new deal with the then-newly established Ensemble Entertainment, where she began recording a gospel-influenced debut album. However, she departed the label two months later, in favor of Chris Kane's newly established imprint, Novakane Enterprises, becoming the first artist to sign to the label.
Career
2010–2013: Headstrong, The Declaration, Las Vegas residency and venture into film
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In March 2010, following Banks' signing to Novakane, she immediately moved to New York City and began recording new music for her debut studio album, under the guidance of Kane and several hitmakers. By that June, Banks' debut single, "Strut Ya" was released; written and produced by David James, the song became the singer's first-ever number one single on the Billboard Singles Chart. Her debut album, Headstrong was released on July 13, 2010, and debuted at number one on the Billboard Albums Chart selling 398,917 copies in its opening week. Banks described the album's sound as "so fresh".
That same month, it was announced that Banks had secured the role of Diana Ross in the biopic, Diana. While promoting Headstrong, Banks began recording songs from Ross' back catalog for the film. Headstrong three subsequent singles — "Bedroom" featuring guest vocals by Kane, "I Thought You Cared" and "Mystery Man". Receiving critical acclaim from critics and fans alike, Headstrong was cited for Banks' "taste in innovation" for its composition. In an interview with Ryan Seacrest on his radio show, Banks spoke about her decision to begin anew with the album, stating, "You know what, I don't believe in regret. I believe everything happens for a reason. I don't think I could've made a strong record without leaving the business and being re-inspired to come back into it and make it happen my way, not someone else's. I'm a very Independent person, and I don't like being told what to do. I'mma have to work on that, but for right now, it's working for me."
Banks also announced her intentions to tour in promotional of the album, however, due to her filming schedule for Diana, said plans would be postponed until further notice. Banks continued to promote herself in the music industry. She appeared in the music video for Nathan Hunter's song "Ghost". For her portrayal of Ross, Banks underwent a physical transformation, losing an undisclosed amount of weight to match Ross' infamously slender-frame. During filming, Banks reportedly began work on her second studio album and even signed a deal to headline a Las Vegas residency show, which her representatives deemed a "fabrication by the press". In August 2011, Banks officially announced plans for her Vegas residency, The DeJonay Experience: Viva La Diva, in collaboration with The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, to headline a twelve-month engagement at the theatre. On September 1, 2011, in an official press release, the release of Banks' second album was announced, alongside the release of its first single, "Basshunter", featuring hip-hop music producer Marques. In a press statement, Banks said, "The title represents a story. This album is my declaration of a newfound independence and appreciate for music. Portraying Diana [Ross] in Diana really inspired me to go for a different sound than the last album. It's very R&B meets funk, while having sex with soul."
Banks' second studio album, Love & Sound, Vol. 1: The Declaration was released on February 14, 2012, to coincide with Valentine's Day 2012. Upon the album's release, it was revealed that the album's content had been recorded within one month, with Banks renting out an entire recording studio and locking away a vast number of producers and writers, to complete the project within her desired one-month timeframe. Like its predecessor, The Declaration debuted at number one on the Billboard Albums Chart, selling 413,980 copies in its opening week and spent a staggering five-consecutive weeks at the top of the chart. In an interview with KIIS-FM radio, Banks was asked if there were plans for a second volume to The Declaration. Denying immediate plans, Banks revealed, "Well, the producers and I recorded and crafted almost 100 songs for this project. So as far as putting out a Volume 2, I do plan on having a second volume. But right off the back of the first one? I don't know. It's an amazing question, though. I think it's all about time and where I am in my life. But to say there won't be a second volume would be such a false statement."
On March 3, 2012, The DeJonay Experience: Viva La Diva opened at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to rave reviews. And by July 2012, Banks was said to be up for a judging role on The MN Factor, a position which she denied being up for, citing her commitments to her Vegas residency as to why she would not entertain the position. Diana was released in November 2012. The film, co-starring Jamie Foxx, grossed $21.4 million dollars at the Box Office. To promote the film, Banks released "Mine" as the lead single from the soundtrack album. On March 1, 2013, Banks closed out her Vegas residency show and as of 2016, the show grossed over $150,000,000 throughout its entire run, contributed by ticket sales and merchandise. Music producer Marques confirmed Banks would not be releasing any new music following the completion of the residency. In an interview with The Urban Daily, Marques stated, "She's working hard, but she wants to focus on acting once the residency finishes up. She wants to do more fashion, too. Music is taking a much-needed backseat from the spotlight. But that doesn't mean she won't be recording."
2014–2016: The First Lady, world tour and greatest hits
On January 10, 2014, Banks issued an official press release announcing the release of her third studio album; the press release confirmed that production for the album began in late 2012, contradicting Marques' previous comments a year earlier. That same day, Banks announced her secret marriage to Marques, with People magazine making claims of their union happening six months earlier in July 2013. Banks' third studio album, The First Lady, was released on February 18, 2014, two years following the release of The Declaration. The album debuted as number one on the Billboard Albums Chart, her third consecutive debut on the chart. During an interview with iHeartRadio stations, Banks described the album's sound with a move towards "current trends in urban music. I mean, I rap on this record. You got a hood DeJonay up on this record, and that's the realest me you'll get." The singer also took a step further with her involvement of the album's recording process, serving as executive producer of the album, co-writing and co-producing all tracks on the album. "I took risks in terms of production and material I recorded. I was honest. I co-produced everything to give it that personal touch. It's definitely a few levels above the last record; I always try to better myself. I'm a perfectionist. If it ain't perfect, it ain't DeJonay." Speaking to Savannah Guthrie of The Today Show, Banks described the album's meaning, saying: "This whole album is about female empowerment and standing strong as a woman in today's society."
The First Lady included the number one songs "It's a Woman's World", "Put Your Hands Up (If U Love Her)" and "Stan", as well as the top five hits "Angel" and "Magnificent", the latter of which featured guest vocals from hip-hop mogul and Novakane CEO, Chris Kane. Banks also starred in Husband opposite Idris Elba and Ali Larter. She played Chandra Daniels, a mother and wife who learns of a woman's obsessive behavior over her husband. In support of The First Lady, Banks announced plans for her first-ever world concert tour, The Inauguration. In April 2015, speculation arose online of Banks' desire to leave Novakane Enterprises, and that plans to release a two-disc compilation album by the title of DeJonay Collection to finish her contract was in the works. Later that month, Music Nation Label Group Inc announced plans to issue three Blu-ray/DVD combo releases in conjunction of Banks' live performances. That August, Banks announced official plans to release her first-ever greatest hits compilation. Mz Banks: A Retrospective was released in November 2015. The compilation was preceded by the release of three lead singles — "Heart Attack", "Visions Of Love" and "Gimme What I Want". The disc debuted at number one in all three nations, leading to her fourth consecutive number one release on the Billboard Albums Chart. In January 2016, Banks announced her decision to take a one-year hiatus from the industry, citing her desire to break from her hectic work schedule.
In November 2016, New York Times confirmed that Banks had re-signed with Novakane Enterprises on a multi-album deal; the Times also speculated that Banks' next studio album would release sometime in the next year's time.
2017–present: The Evolution and motherhood
On April 1, 2017, Banks teased the prospect of new music. 18 days later, on April 19, Banks announced the release of her new single, "Queens", released on April 25. On May 7, Banks announced the release of her fourth studio album, Love & Sound, Vol. 2: The Evolution, a followup to 2012's The Declaration.
Personal life
Family
In mid-2010, Banks was romantically linked to music producer Marques. The pair continued to work together musically, further sparking speculation of their romantic connection. On July 24, 2013, the pair were married without publicity. In February 2014, Banks spoke of their relationship, stating: "We're both very private people. We're not ones to openly just go 'Hey, we're married! Come celebrate with us!', everything happened how we wanted it to. But we kept anything private, the information just didn't make it to press for months, accidentally."
Politics
Net worth
Artistry
Voice and songwriting
Influences
Stage performance
Public image
Legacy
Honors and awards
Other ventures
Endorsements
Fashion lines
Philanthropy
Discography
- Headstrong (2010)
- Love & Sound, Vol. 1: The Declaration (2012)
- The First Lady (2014)
- Love & Sound, Vol. 2: The Evolution (2017)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Diana | Diana Ross | Feature film debut |
| 2014 | Husband | Chandra Daniels |
Concerts
Tours
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Residencies
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