Anna Wintour (song)

Last updated
"Anna Wintour"
Azealia Banks - Anna Wintour art.jpg
Single by Azealia Banks
ReleasedApril 6, 2018 (2018-04-06)
Recorded2017–2018
Genre
Length4:33
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Junior Sanchez
Azealia Banks singles chronology
"Escapades"
(2017)		"Anna Wintour"
(2018)		"Treasure Island"
(2018)
Music video
"Anna Wintour" on YouTube

"Anna Wintour" is a song recorded by American singer and rapper Azealia Banks. It was released on April 6, 2018, by eOne and Chaos & Glory as the planned lead single from her mixtape Fantasea II: The Second Wave. [1] Production of the song was handled by Junior Sanchez, while the song was penned by Banks, Sanchez, Dorian Strickland, Kevin James, and "Shug". The song is named after Anna Wintour, who is the editor-in-chief of Vogue , and is about self empowerment. The music video was released on May 24, 2018, and surpassed 1 million views in 48 hours. [2]

Contents

Production

While Banks was signed to Interscope Records, Junior Sanchez was commissioned by the label to do a remix of Banks's song "Ice Princess," from Broke with Expensive Taste (2014), with the working title of the track being "Anna Wintour". This would explain the presence of a sample in the song. One of the initial plans for the song was for it to feature Mel B, however, this concept was ultimately scrapped due to scheduling conflicts. Another concept that Banks had envisioned for the song was for it to feature Nicki Minaj. [3] When discussing her reasoning for the title of the song, Banks stated:

"My choice to name this song 'Anna Wintour' is telling; I relate to Anna Wintour so much as a strong, powerful and larger than life soul in a petite, tidy and feminine body. While others may see Anna as intimidating, I see a woman who was born into this world with an absolute certainty about her place in it." [4]

Critical reception

Shaad D'Souza of the website Noisey stated, "The song is a fun, upbeat vogue track, and it features Azealia rapping and singing some of her sweetest lines ever. "I feel in love babe, I really know that your love is enough," she sings on the chorus, "I'm so lucky you found me in the day." It's beautiful! The song is called "Anna Wintour," I assume, because it's a vogue track, and Anna Wintour is the editor of Vogue. Wordplay! I'm feeling really positive about Fantasea II, and "Anna Wintour" is a great start to a new era for Azealia." [5] Myles Tanzer of The Fader commented on Banks' vocals, stating: "...she hits soulful high notes in the pre-chorus, glides through a pop section with her trademark fluid delivery, screams over the song's breakdown, and even stops to rap a ferocious verse." [6]

Dazed put "Anna Wintour" on its 20 best tracks of 2018 list, saying the song "showed, once again, that the rapper really knows how to make a dance floor anthem. Channeling the energy of Vogue’s iconic editor with the same glow she exhibits while “stuntin’ in front row”, “Anna Wintour” felt like it could have been a real comeback moment for Banks, marking an upwards artistic trajectory as she embarked on her new album." [7] The Line of Best Fit placed it on 25th spot in its Fifty Best Songs of 2018, remarking that "its impossibly catchy 90s house beat plays host to both Banks’ powerful voice and unstoppable bars. It treads the pop/rap line in a way that no other artist is doing in 2018. It feels retro but not dated, and sticks to Banks’ signature sound without feeling too same-old." [8]

Pitchfork ranked it on its 100 best songs of 2018 list, saying that "the rapper’s messy public persona yields the floor to a bracing showcase of her dexterity. She pulls triple duty as house diva, raging wraith, and cold-blooded killer, nailing each part and metabolizing Junior Sanchez’s fiercely generic Ibiza track into a raw energy source. “Anna Wintour” joins “Thank U, Next” and “Honey” among the few songs about self-love released this year that betray greater depth than vapid Instagram inspo, and it offers a reminder of what makes the often-frustrating Banks so great: Like this song’s namesake, she knows how to keep us looking." [9]

Music video

Comparisons to Teyana Taylor's dance for "Fade" ignited a dispute between the two artists Teyana Taylor Wikipedia.jpg
Comparisons to Teyana Taylor's dance for "Fade" ignited a dispute between the two artists

On May 24, 2018, Banks released the music video for "Anna Wintour". The video features Banks in and around an abandoned warehouse dancing and was directed by choreographer and long time backup dancer Matthew Pasterisa. [10] Prior to the music video's release, Banks responded to accusations that her music video was too similar to Kanye West's 2016 video for "Fade", claiming that Teyana Taylor stole the choreography from Pasterisa and didn't give him credit until lawyers were involved. [11] Taylor denied these claims and called on Pasterisa to comment, to which he said he wasn't directly involved with "Fade" but received credit regardless. [12]

Track listing

  1. "Anna Wintour" – 4:33

Charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs ( Billboard ) [14] 24

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teyana Taylor</span> American singer and actress

Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Shumpert is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model, dancer, choreographer, and music video director. After choreographing the video for Beyoncé's 2006 single "Ring the Alarm," she signed a recording contract with the Neptunes' Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope Records to embark on a career as an recording artist the following year. Taylor appeared on MTV's My Super Sweet 16 prior to the release of her 2008 debut single, "Google Me." Despite lukewarm commercial response, she later gained wider attention in 2010 for her uncredited guest performances on the songs "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life" by Kanye West, from his highly-acclaimed album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). She parted ways with Star Trak and Interscope in favor of signing with West's GOOD Music, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings two years later.

Matt Cutler, better known as Lone, is a British electronic musician from Nottingham, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azealia Banks</span> American rapper (born 1991)

Azealia Amanda Banks is an American rapper, singer and songwriter. Raised in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, she began releasing music through Myspace in 2008 before being signed to XL Recordings at age 18. She subsequently signed with Interscope and Polydor Records before separating in 2013. Banks became an independent artist and started her own independent record label, Chaos & Glory Recordings. She later signed to Parlophone and Warner Records before quitting her label in 2023.

<i>1991</i> (Azealia Banks EP) 2012 EP by Azealia Banks

1991 is the debut EP by American rapper Azealia Banks. It was first released on May 28, 2012, in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records and a day later in the United States by Interscope Records. Its lead single, "212", preceded its release on December 6, 2011. Its second single, "Liquorice", was released on December 4, 2012. Banks also released music videos for every song, including the non-singles "1991" and "Van Vogue".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquorice (song)</span> 2012 single by Azealia Banks

"Liquorice" is a song by American rapper Azealia Banks, taken from her debut extended play (EP) titled 1991 (2012). The song was released onto Banks' Tumblr account on December 18, 2011, and was later released for digital download on December 4, 2012. Built around Lone's song "Pineapple Crush", "Liquorice" is an acid house track that incorporates synthesizers in its composition. Lyrically, the song contains wordplay from Harlem, Banks' origin, and is inspired by interracial dating. A music video for the single was directed by Rankin and was released in June 2012.

<i>Fantasea</i> (mixtape) 2012 mixtape by Azealia Banks

Fantasea is the debut mixtape by American rapper Azealia Banks, released as a free download on July 11, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunice</span> Musical artist

Lunice Fermin Pierre II, better known by his stage name Lunice, is a Canadian record producer and DJ from Montreal. He is one half of the duo TNGHT along with Hudson Mohawke.

<i>Broke with Expensive Taste</i> 2014 studio album by Azealia Banks

Broke with Expensive Taste is the only studio album by American rapper Azealia Banks, released on November 7th, 2014. In 2011, Banks started working on the album despite not having signed to a record label at that time. A year later, she signed a contract deal with Interscope and Polydor Records to work on the album. However, she felt dissatisfied with the labels' representatives and consequently, she ended the contract with the labels in July 2014 and signed to Prospect Park. After being delayed for over two years, Broke with Expensive Taste was released on November 7, 2014 by Banks herself and Prospect Park via Caroline Records without any prior announcements at all.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azealia Banks discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper Azealia Banks has released one studio album, two extended plays (EPs), three mixtapes, twenty-six singles and twelve promotional singles. At the age of seventeen in November 2008, Banks adopted the stage name Miss Bank$ and signed to XL Recordings. However, she ended the contract with the label quickly afterwards due to conflicting ideas. In 2009, Banks released several songs onto the internet for free download, including "Gimme a Chance" and "Seventeen". Following her departure from XL Recordings, Banks dropped her stage name, opting to use her legal name, Azealia Banks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chasing Time (song)</span> 2014 single by Azealia Banks

"Chasing Time" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album, Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). It was released as the third single from the album on September 22, 2014. Production of the song was handled by Andrew "Pop" Wansel, while it was written by Banks, Ronnie Colson, Warren "Oak" Felder, Jonathan Harris, Steve Mostyn, Kelly Sheehan and Pop Wansel. Lyrically, the track discusses Banks recovering from a breakup.

"Ice Princess" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). It was released as the fourth single from the album on March 23, 2015. Production of the song was handled by AraabMuzik, while it was written by Banks, Kevin James, and Jonathan Harris. "Ice Princess" contains a sample of "In the Air", originally produced by progressive house DJ Morgan Page. Lyrically, Banks brags about her wealth, with Jordan Sargent of Pitchfork Media describing it as Banks "spitting knotty rhymes about her diamonds". "Ice Princess" garnered praise from music critics, with one describing the song as "Banks at her best". To promote the song, an accompanying music video for the track was released on March 31, 2015. It features Banks ruling over a kingdom of ice warriors, flying through the sky destroying anything colorful while turning everything into ice.

"Wallace" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). The song was written by Banks, Kevin James, Filip Nikolić and Trevor McFedries, while production of the song was provided by the latter two. Lyrically, the track describes a man with a rottweiler head and depicts Banks killing him. Musically, the song is of both R&B and hardcore hip hop origins. In 2015, Banks released a music video for "Wallace" directed by Rob Soucy and Nick Ace. The video for "Wallace" was released via the Google Cloud Platform. Banks performed the song during the 2015 Coachella Festival and on her Broke with Expensive Taste Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azealia Banks videography</span>

American rapper Azealia Banks has appeared in twenty-three music videos, two films, one television program and two commercials. As a teenager, Banks studied at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. A film opportunity arose through the school, and at the age of fourteen, Banks featured in the film The American Ruling Class, portraying a singer and a dancer in a cameo role. In 2010, Banks' first music video was released for a demo track titled "L8R", which would go on to be included on her debut mixtape Fantasea two years later. The following year, Banks' second music video was released for her breakout single "212", and has since amassed over two-hundred million views on Banks' official YouTube channel. During the promotional campaign of Banks' debut EP 1991, all songs on the project received a video treatment, including her sophomore single "Liquorice", shot by acclaimed director Rankin. Months after the video for "Liquorice" was released, an alternate version was leaked. In July 2012, Banks released her debut mixtape Fantasea. To promote the mixtape, Banks released three music videos for tracks on the project, "Luxury", "Atlantis", and "Fierce", the latter being shot with clothing company ASOS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Big Big Beat</span> 2016 single by Azealia Banks

"The Big Big Beat" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her second mixtape Slay-Z (2016). It was released as the lead single from the mixtape on February 19, 2016 after Banks had announced the mixtape in the previous May. Production of the song was handled by new producer An Expresso, while the song was penned by Banks alone. The song contains an uncredited sample of The Notorious B.I.G.'s voice. Lyrically, the track discusses staying true to your roots when you become famous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumanji (Azealia Banks song)</span> 2012 promotional single by Azealia Banks

"Jumanji" is a song recorded by American hip hop artist Azealia Banks for her debut mixtape, Fantasea (2012). The song was released as a free promotional single, available for digital download and streaming via Banks's SoundCloud, on May 11, 2012. "Jumanji" is composed as a tropical track with musical influences including kuduro, dancehall, and calypso music. Instrumentally, the song features a trumpet, a timpani, a harp, and calypso steel drums. The song also features Banks rapping over a beat that was compared by music critics to the work of English musician and producer, M.I.A. Lyrically, the song describes Banks' involvement in media scandals and, as she described, "keeping true to herself". "Jumanji" received acclaim from music critics, who complimented the overall production and Banks's rapping flow. Banks has performed the song live several times, as part of the Mermaid Ball, as well as at the Glastonbury Festival 2013, and Club Nokia in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown (Azealia Banks song)</span> 2017 promotional single by Azealia Banks

"Crown" is a song recorded by Azealia Banks. It was released on February 17, 2017. Production of the song was handled by Lunice, while the song was penned by Banks alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escapades (song)</span> 2017 promotional single by Azealia Banks

"Escapades" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her planned second album, Fantasea II: The Second Wave. O/W/W/W/L/S handled production of the song, while the song was penned by Banks alone. The original version of the song was released as a free streaming single, on June 26, 2017, to Banks' SoundCloud. A "radio edit" of the song was released to SoundCloud on August 9, 2017. On September 1, 2017, Banks released the final version of the song to iTunes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Problems</span> 2013 song by Azealia Banks

"No Problems" is a song released by American rapper Azealia Banks. It is a diss track aimed at American rapper Angel Haze. It was released on January 4, 2013, by Banks herself, after Angel Haze released a diss track titled, "On The Edge", a day prior. Production of the song was handled by American producer, Machinedrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Madonna (song)</span> 2020 single by Azealia Banks

"Black Madonna" is a song by American rapper and singer-songwriter Azealia Banks featuring Lex Luger, who handled production on the track. Released on June 9, 2020, the song serves as the lead single to Banks' second studio album, Business & Pleasure, which was scheduled for a 2021 release.

References

  1. ↑ Mahadevan, Tara (April 5, 2018). "Azealia Banks Drops First 'Fantasea II' Single "Anna Wintour"". Complex. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  2. ↑ AzealiaBanksVEVO (2018-05-24), Azealia Banks – Anna Wintour , retrieved 2018-05-29
  3. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (April 6, 2018). "Azealia Banks Talks House-Inspired 'Anna Wintour' Single, 'Fantasea II' Album & State of Women in Hip-Hop". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  4. ↑ Murphy, Sarah (April 6, 2018). "Azealia Banks "Anna Wintour"". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  5. ↑ D'Souza, Shaad (April 5, 2018). "Azealia Banks' New Song "Anna Wintour" is Surprisingly Sweet". Noisey. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  6. ↑ Tanzer, Myles (April 6, 2018). "Azealia Banks's "Anna Wintour" is a magnificent return to form". The Fader. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ Dazed (2018-12-10). "The 20 best tracks of 2018". Dazed. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  8. ↑ "The Fifty Best Songs of 2018". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  9. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2018". Pitchfork. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  10. ↑ Evan Minsker (24 May 2018). "Watch Azealia Banks' New "Anna Wintour" Video". Pitchfork . Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  11. ↑ Diamond Alexis (14 May 2018). "Azealia Banks Accuses Teyana Taylor Of Stealing Choreography". BET . Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  12. ↑ J'na Jefferson (14 May 2018). "Teyana Taylor Responds To Azealia Banks' Accusations Regarding "Fade" Choreography". Vibe. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  13. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Anna Wintour – Single by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store .
  14. ↑ "Azealia Banks Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.