Celebrity
21 Savage: All We Know about the Atlanta-Based Rapper
September 19, 2022
Although Shaggy's son, Robb Bank$, grew up close to him, the "It Wasn't Me" singer did not know that his son was making waves as a rapper until after Bank$'s fame.
Self-made men and women in the entertainment industry are pegged as role models for those aspiring to be artists. It is why American rapper Robb Bank$ has many fans inspired by his story.
The New York-born performer saw his parents, Shaggy and Carol Burrell, divorce at a young age. He ended up living under his mother's wing in Florida, away from Shaggy.
Born Richard O'Neil Burrell in 1994, the singer was the elder of two siblings. His father was also a recognized singer known for hits such as "It Wasn't Me" and "Angel." However, Bank$ didn't get to watch his father's success as his parents separated when he was six.
By the time Bank$ was a young boy, his father's moment of fame had already passed, so he didn't recognize Shaggy as a celebrity. During his growing years, Bank$ found interest in Japanese Manga, Pokemon, and Dragon Ball Z.
When he wasn't preoccupied with anime, Bank$ practiced music in the four corners of his bedroom. It wasn't until 2012 that he tasted fame through Tumblr. Operating under the username TumblrGod, Bank$ used the platform to share his interests with followers.
Soon, recognized musicians, such as A$AP Yams and SpaceGhostPurrp, took notice of his taste in music, fashion, and art and began promoting him on their social media accounts. Before he knew it, Bank$ had fans from different locations.
His solo tape, "Calendars," also took off in 2012. It became an avenue for Bank$ to discuss his point of view as an angst-ridden teen. Those who listened to his release knew that Bank$ was a natural-born rapper, gravitating towards the likes of A$AP Rocky and Odd Future, who later became his friends.
Before making his presence known in the music scene, Bank$ gained inspiration from mainstream rappers, including Notorious B.I.G, Brother Ali, Atmosphere, and Webbie, who he would study in his bedroom.
Initially, he thought that dreaming of becoming a rapper was out of his league, but it only took a few years for him to make it happen. Bank$ said:
"I can't just think of this as 'rap.' I love it. I do. I look at myself in the mirror, [and] I say, 'Aye bruh, you dropped [out of] school, this is [your] job now [...]."
Shaggy acknowledges his son's talents but admits that he did not know Bank$ was making waves as a rapper until after he had a large fan base.
"Actually, I didn't know he was rapping until way afterward when it was brought to my attention," he said, despite their close relationship.
As of writing, Bank$ has over 180 thousand followers on Instagram and about 380 monthly Spotify listeners.
Bank$'s May 2022 concept album, "Falconia," found a way to incorporate his previous interest in Manga. On Kentaro Miura's, a Manga artist first death anniversary, the rapper released a tribute inspired by the dark fantasy manga through his album.
He also released a song, "Griffith Did Nothing Wrong," in 2017 that paid homage to Guts, Griffith, and Casca's adventures in the Manga. In recent years, Bank$ has also been collaborating with Rich Gan Management while founding a company, 430 Entertainment.
"You're still going to get content from me," he said. "But there will be no more 'Robb Bank$' projects. No more full bodies of work." Admittedly, the artist's short attention span drove him to pursue new things when time permits.
Other rappers have ventured into different crafts after reaching fame, including Ice-T, who became an actor starring in "Law & Order: SVU." He often shares behind-the-scenes photos of his life as an actor and role as a husband and father.
Don Toliver and His Girlfriend Kali Uchis Are 'Not Crazy Public' with Their Relationship
October 10, 2022
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie: Inside the Life of the Influential Hiphop Star from the Bronx
September 20, 2022
How Did Soulja Boy Get Rich? A Look at the Rapper’s Impressive Fortune
August 12, 2022
Chief Keef Reportedly Has Nine Children from Different Women: A Look into His Private Life
September 30, 2022
Chance the Rapper Is a Hip-Hop Star: What We Know About Him
September 29, 2022
Christian Stracke Was Richer than His Ex-wife Knew - Who Is Sutton Stracke’s Ex?
August 14, 2022
Charli D'Amelio Is a Young Tiktok Star and Competitive Dancer: A Look into Her Life
September 29, 2022
Liza Koshy's Parents Immigrated to the US & Met at a Theater Club
October 10, 2022
Kendrick Lamar and Usain Bolt's Height Differ – How Tall Is the Rapper?
September 02, 2022
Facts about CupcakKe: The Rapper and Singer Who Went Viral
October 05, 2022
Flyysoulja of ‘Island Boys’ Wants to Be a Positive Role Model - Facts about His Life
August 17, 2022
Dwayne Haskins’s Wife Comes from an NBA Family - Meet Kalabrya Gondrezick
August 16, 2022
Dixie D'Amelio and Her Boyfriend Noah Beck Keep Their Love Private - Timeline of Their Relationship
October 06, 2022
Jarod Nandin - ‘South Park Guy’ Cosplayer Died at 40
September 14, 2022