Thyra Kigho Deshaun Oji, better known by her

stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

Ms Banks, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter from

Camberwell Camberwell () is a district of South London, England, in the London Borough of Southwark, southeast of Charing Cross. Camberwell was first a village associated with the church of St Giles and a common of which Goose Green is a remnant. This e ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

. 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.

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-born rapper based in the United States. She is known for her musical versatility, animated flow in her rapping, alter egos and accent ...

as her biggest influence. She also cites

Ms Dynamite Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley (born 26 April 1981), better known as Ms. Dynamite, is a British singer and rapper. She is the recipient of the Mercury Music Prize, two Brit Awards and three MOBO Awards. Early years She was born Niomi Arleen Mc ...

, Estelle, Lauryn Hill,

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 and reality television personality. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she lived much of he ...

, Foxy Brown and Monie Love as her influences.

Discography

Mixtapes

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

References

Black British women rappers Living people People from Camberwell Rappers from London English people of Nigerian descent English people of Ugandan descent Year of birth missing (living people) {{UK-music-bio-stub