Meet Banks & Her Glorious Aaliyah Cover Posted by Lucas G. on 03/24/14 | Filed under Non Hip-Hop, Meet, Banks

Ever been to a Karaoke night? It's all fun and games--drinking, watching drunk people make fools of themselves, the usual--until that one asshole decides to "cover" your favorite song and ruins it forever. Nothing worse than hearing someone who is drastically under qualified to sing, sing your song. It happened to me when someone sang Luther Vandross' All My Love and this was the result. For a Karaoke bar, the standards are much lower, but for a buzzing artist a poorly received cover of a classic can make people hate you forever. If you do it right though, it might just make your career. After all, ther isn't anything anybody loves more than a cool remake of one of their favorite cuts.

People love Aaliyah (and rightfully so) but I mean people really love her. "Are You That Somebody" is a top five song that girls love (up there with "All I Want For Christmas Is You"); hell, even guys love it too. So if you are going to cover it, you better do it right or risk the public hating you forever. A bold choice for L.A. songstress Banks, but I am happy to say that she delivers.

Hey Banks, what are you doing next week? Want to go to Karaoke? I don't even want to admit the number of times I have listened to this song over the past four days. Excluding the likes of Kendra Morris covers don't usually do it for me. I'd rather hear something original than a re-hash of a 90's song that everyone is going to love; it's too easy. However, when done right, sometimes, covers are more creative than an original song; this is one of 'em. I never thought I would get a different vibe from listening to "Are You That Somebody". When it comes to turn of the century R&B, "Are You That Somebody" is like the benchmark, and it was probably the first R&B tune I really liked, so for Banks to win my approval (and yours most likely) is saying a lot.

I think the best part is it doesn't really sound like the original. Banks isn't Aaliyah (not should she try to be), she has a different style, so a carbon copy wouldn't have been worthwhile, but the acoustic version really works well with he lighter vocals. His has more poppy feel than the smoky original and Banks really made it hers. As I said, Aaliyah, is a balls choice, but I enjoyed it and it got me to check out more, so this is definitely a win. Speaking of more, how about a Weeknd cover?

First, on a totally unimportant and insignificant note, I applaud her for not switching the genders in the song. I don't know why but it always irks me when someone does a cover and changes the lyrics so it fits their gender; we all know it's not really you, just sing the damn song the right way. Anyhow, aside from that, this is great too. Personally, I like the Aaliyah cover better--I think it brings out the best in her vocals-- but this too had me fiending for some more. So how about some original stuff?

Makes sense that The Weeknd, took her on tour doesn't it? Honestly, wasn't expecting this kind of thing since I first heard the covers. I thought she was a little more on the pop side, but she has that new alt-R&B style down pat. It's kind of sneaky too. Like I kept waiting to waiting to hear something that really moved me, but soon, I was just hypnotized. It never got to that point to wear things really picked up and she exploded with a powerful hook, but I still couldn't stop listening. Since, "In Vein" I have been really into the Weeknd vibe, but have been looking for somebody new.

Looks like Banks is that somebody...get it?

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