Erica Banks, who is also known as “ Da Flow Queen” continues to win over the industry with her energy and distinctive style. Known for her bold and confident lyricism, she expands upon this energy with her new single “Extra” featuring Memphis breakout rapper, Big Boogie. Erica has been steadily gaining attention since her breakout hit “Buss It” took TikTok by storm in 2021. She followed up with singles such as “Toot That,” “Real Rap B*tch” as well as “On His Face” to name a few. This past year, she made her reality tv debut as a cast member on VH1’s popular series, Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta. Surely, Erica continues to display her versatility as more than just a music artist.
Furthermore, Erica’ latest release, “Extra,” showcases her signature confidence and attitude. Throughout the track, celebrates her womanhood while flaunting her ability to provide for herself. Everything else to her is just extra. Organically, Big Boogie adds fuel to the single as his verse compliments here’s seamlessly. Additionally, Erica accompanies this release witch further depicts how she is about her bag. Throughout the video, you can catch Erica and Boogie inside a money vault surrounded by money.
Remixd Magazine had the opportunity to speak with Erica Banks more about her career thus far and the inspiration behind “Extra.”
Watch “Extra” by Erica Banks ft. Big Boogie
Remixd Magazine: Before we discuss your current single, what does your current playlist look like? Who are some of your favorite upcoming artists?
Erica: On my playlist there’s some Summer Walker, Jhené Aiko, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne. I listen to a lot of Gunna these days, I’m liking him a lot these days. Future is always on my playlist, he’s actually my favorite rapper and Erica Banks of course!
Now that you are years into your career, you’ve obtained tons of success even outside of music. From 2020’s “Buss It” along side a challenge, “ Toot That,” even more recent singles such as “On His Face.” You also ventured in to TV as a Cast Member of Love & Hip Hop ATL. What inspires Erica these days ? How are you able to balance it all?
I always say just self growth is the motivation for me because like you said at one point I had “Buss It” and now I’m on TV you know? Seeing myself grow and just realizing wow, I am able to do this just like everybody else. It’s inspiring to me to just keep doing my thing outside of seeing other artists thrive as well. But, for me it’s really just self motivation and continuing to grow as an artist.
Being that you are “The Flo Queen” essentially your ability to get on any beat and make the song of your own stands out about you. You’ve done freestyles to “Get In With Me” by BossMan Dlo “Get Silly,” by V.I.C and “Peaches & Eggplants” by Young Nudy, more recently. How do you decided what song you want to remix? Is that process the same as when you record your music?
I make the decisions on what song I remix just off of what I typically like. If I personally like the song a lot, it’s probably what I’m going to do. Even if it’s a new song from the 2000’s. I also did the “Get Silly” freestyle. “Get Silly” was back in like 2006 you know I think I was like 5 years old but I knew the song. So yeah, I just base it off of what I personally like. As far as recording in the studio, I pretty much record all my songs the same. I mean with freestyles I don’t choose a topic I kind of just write everywhere. But, when I’m making a real song, I sit down, I choose a beat, I decide what I’m going to talk about, then I record according to the topic.
You recently dropped your latest single “Extra,” which further embraces confidence and essentially having it your way. Can you tell us a little more about the inspiration behind the song?
Just exploring that as a woman, well the woman that I am rather, anything that I do for myself, I strictly do because I am an independent woman. I’m blessed to be able to do that. Then, I’m speaking on what a man does for me it’s just extra. You know? I don’t need it but I’ll take it. That’s kinda where I’m going with that to just kind of inspire women and let them know hey girl you can do it for yourself, but if he does want to do it, we can consider it extra.
In the spirit of the name of the song being “Extra,” what are some things that in your opinion make you extra? Are there essentials you need day to day that others may believe is extra?
I don’t think I do anything on the daily that’s super extra. I think everything I do on the daily bases is kind of normal. Unless you think getting a black truck from the airport to home every single time you fly anywhere is extra. Right now I prefer black trucks to go really everywhere but especially the airport because it’s always right there as soon as I walk outside. I don’t have to walk down the rail, they for sure have a phone charger. It has it’s perks. Other than that, everything else on a daily bases I pretty much got normal stuff going on.
For “Extra,” you teamed up with Big Boogie. The two of you match each other’s energy perfectly throughout the song, what was it like working with him on this record?
He’s always been a fun guy just to work with in general. But working on the song was actually a time too. It was kind of like just having a good time it wasn’t really work for us. His personality is very bubbly, very open, very humorous. It’s kind of like we just teamed up and did something fun together. He has always been a good friend of mine for about three or four years, so it wasn’t our first time. He’s just great to work with, fun to work with, easy to work with and we were able to get it done.
This record for sure adds on to your versatility through collaboration with other artists, is there anyone else right now you want to collaborate with? Any genre?
I would have to say Future for one. Like I mentioned earlier that is my favorite rapper. If I was to go female I would want to switch it up and go Jhené Aiko.
You have been dropping consistently this year with singles such as “On His Face,” “I Ain’t Fresh,” as well as a series of freestyles. What can we expect next from you?
Of course you guys can expect the project from me, more videos, features on the project, merchandise, a tour. Every thing my fans have been on my *** about the past two years. Im about to get it. So, I’m exited about that.
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In conclusion, Erica Banks continues to extend her name throughout different areas of the industry as she continues her many ventures. Currently, she is gearing up for the release of her upcoming project and tons more surprises. To keep up with Erica Banks, you can follow her on Instagram linked here. Additionally, you can stream “Extra” featuring Big Boogie below.
