GUORDAN BANKS

Singer-Songwriter GUORDAN (Pronounced Jour-dan) BANKS has had major success writing songs for artists such as John Legend, Keyshia Cole, K. Michelle, Vivian Green, Lalah Hathaway, Ro James and Marcus Canty; and has collaborated with Kanye West, 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Meek Mill and Omari Hardwick from Starz network’s hit TV show, POWER. He was born the second-to-last of eight children. With both of his parents being preachers and his siblings all being vocalists, it's no surprise that he began singing at only five years old. "Music has been instilled in me all of my life," he confesses. "So essentially, I'm just embracing who I am. At first, his young position in a large family relegated him to supporting roles, usually that of a background tenor. However, he was met with adversity due to a speech impediment. "I used to have a bad stuttering problem and because of that a lot of people would stay away from me in school," he admits. In fourth grade he tried out for a part in his school's rendition of Oliver Twist, but the director dismissed him, informing him that he wasn't fit for the production: if he couldn't speak clearly, how could he ever expect to sing? Guordan's mother, however, observed that her son's speech issues weren't present in his singing and came up with a plan: she would truly make him sing for his supper. Instead of speaking to her, all of his communication would have to be in melodic form. "I would literally sing to my mother if I wanted to go to the store, or outside," Banks recalls. "Whatever I had to say to her, I would sing to her. Through that, I began to build my confidence and learned to talk without a stutter. It also helped me become the songwriter I am today, because I don't ever really write anything down with a pen or a pad. I just sing it out and whatever comes out is what I use and adjust to keep. If I could change back the hands of time, I wouldn't change being kicked out of that play. That experience made me who I am today." His first single “Keep You In Mind” reached #1 on Billboard’s Urban Adult Contemporary Chart in 2016. It also captured the attention of the producers of Issa Rae’s critically acclaimed HBO show, “Insecure,” and was featured in the series. Building on his breakout single, Guordan’s “Keep You In Mind” remix features pop-star Chris Brown and is continuing to build a buzz throughout the music world. Billboard Magazine went on to name Guordan one of the top "10 Hip-Hop and R&B artists to Watch in 2017". His debut album entitled “UNPOPULAR” is scheduled to be released in 2017. Banks describes "UNPOPULAR" as music that simultaneously encompasses romantic immediacy, deep friendship and world unity. "I think that message is needed in the world," says Guordan. "We have to reach the people; we have to reach the world. I think music is one of the strongest cures for what's going on in the world right now. It's the antidote for pain and emotional suffering. UNPOPULAR offers an outlet for music that speaks on what I feel needs to be said."

Artist: ​Guordan Banks Song Title: WANNA BE YOURS

Producer: MyGuyMars & Tariq Beats Genre: Hip-Hop

The MP3 is now available for download by pool members

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