Rakeem Ishmauel Mahammad Williams (born on February 19, 1994), better known by his stage name Rocky Banks, is an American alternative Hip-Hop music artist from Houston, TX. Banks began to gain recognition following the late 2015/early 2016 release of his first solo album, In Other News I Don't Do Drugs Anymore, which first introduced the artist's personal hardships and his acceptance of drug addiction. Following the release of this project, Banks received cosigns from The Fader, Hip-Hop DX, Los Angles Leakers, & Revolt TV. In early 2017, Banks return with a sophomore project titled Trust In Banko, pulling in over 60,000 hits on Livemixtapes. His next album Big Little Brother releases on February 8th, 2018.
Rocky Banks was born on February 19, 1994 in Columbus, Texas but moved to the southwest side of Houston, TX at the age of 12 after losing his home along with his mother and younger sister. He attended Bellaire High School from grades 9 – 11 before being removed for disciplinary purposes. Banks would later attend Thurgood Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas to finish the remainder of his high school education. Rocky's music career began early on in high school when he decided to focus his talent of poetry writing. In 2012, Banks began to gain praise from his high school peers for his spoken word. This attention sparked the idea of putting his lyrics over instrumentals and collaborating with other promising local acts such as Dice Soho.
Although banks had no problem maintaining his grades, his coping mechanism had begun to consume his lifestyle. It was at the age of 17, that Rocky got more involved with drugs. Struggles with drug addiction began early in Banks' adolescence. Throughout his teenage years, he dealt with a lot of conflict at home and began turning to the Houston street life as an alternative. After issues at home reached a boiling point Banks decided it was time to move out go live with his Aunt and Grandmother to finish school. After completing high school, Rocky decided to further his education by attending HBCU Prairie View A&M University. Banks college career was one voyage he did not complete. During the fall 2015 semester, he decided to withdraw from Prairie View A&M University.
Shortly after withdrawing from college, Banks went on a marathon recording music, landing performances and growing his local fanbase. This led to his introduction to another Houston artist, Kwasei LaFlare. They would later go on to release a joint project titled Banko La'Flare EP. It was after these efforts Banks would see his life begin to spiral out of control. Banks drug habits and battle with depression began to take a strong presence. After consuming a large amount of methamphetamine and taking a hit of THC wax, Banks experienced a brief loss in motor skills and mild overdose.
With a second chance at life, the experience gave a new breath to Houston talents message and brand. He made a choice to check in to rehabilitation and use his platform to inspire other to acknowledge and pursue self-improvement. These chain of events would be responsible for the inspiration to launch his own label and create his debut solo project.
Banks began to gain recognition following the late 2015/early 2016 release of his first solo album, "In Other News I Don't Do Drugs Anymore," which first introduced the artist's personal hardships and his acceptance of drug addiction. Following the release of this project, Banks received cosigns from The Fader, Hip-Hop DX, Los Angles Leakers, & Revolt TV.
In early 2017, Banks return with a sophomore project titled "Trust In Banko", pulling in over 60,000 hits on Livemixtapes. This project has pushed him in to the vision of more industry networks. Banks continues to spread positive messages to the youth and puts emphasis on the power of physical, mental and spiritual growth through intricate word plays, gravitating context and fiery production. The Combination of these cosigns and set of skills have landed him on the radar to becoming one of Hip Hop's newest rising stars. His next project, Big Little Brother, arrives on February 8th, 2018.