Azealia Banks isn’t your typical triple-threat youngster; the girl may only be 20 years old, but she’s been big in the game since her teens. Hard at work, crafting her sound, self-promoting and working with some of the most visionary producers on the planet (Machinedrum, Lunice to name a couple), she’s already gotten hype from peeps like FADER and RCRD LBL. Then again, things change quickly when you’re young, as she put out the much-buzzed about “L8R” in the middle of last year, and almost a year later she returns triumphantly with the club-bumper “212“. Now, she graces URB with an exclusive treat, produced by LuckyMe’s favorite chef, Lunice. Well, that and a bit of insight into her blossoming career that’s taking on a life of its own. Listen and lose your shit at your own risk. Check out the stream and download link for “Runnin’”, as well as our interview with Ms. Banks.

Azealia Banks & Lunice – Runnin’ (DOWNLOAD HERE)

URB: What are three things people should know about you?

AZEALIA BANKS:  People should know that I’m crazy, talented in a lot of different ways and really creative. But still totally crazy! *laughs*

URB: With every track you’ve put out, things seem different from the next in a variety of different ways What’s with the change in style?

AZ: I’m really experimental, if I like something I’ll try to create it in my own way, I just make sure to try things out.  I don’t like keeping myself in one place and also I tend to make things spontaneous. One day I could be feeling like making something housey, one day I could be feeling like singing some shit. I’ve got some RnB stuff coming as well as some rap stuff. I’ve got to keep it fresh all the time.

URB: You’re still damn young, too. How did this all start and did you expect to go this fast for you?

AZ: As soon as I started making music, I got legitimate attention; I just kept pushing myself out there and really worked hard to get where I’m at, since I was like in high school. I do believe this is what I’m here to do, to let my creative output be known and make music that I think needs to be heard.

URB: How’d you get in touch with people like Machinedrum and Lunice though?

AZ: It was because I was super-ambitious and send e-mails like a fucking machine; when I was 17 I’d finish my school day and go home to the Bronx. I’d dedicate my entire rest of the day to just being assertive with my online identity from like 4PM-11PM. I remember hearing Theophilus London back then, and thinking it was amazing. This was early, when This Charming Mixtape came out and all I could think of was how hard those beats hit. So I took on the task of finding Machinedrum and after a few e-mails, we met up and worked together. He’s like my musical soulmate, man; he’s really always thinking past what’s ahead and always at work. With Lunice, it was a matter of time, really. I was recording in Montreal in the summer and met up with him, the rest was history.

URB: After “Runnin’”, what’s next?

AZ: There’s going to be a couple more songs released; after that I’m going to finish up a mixtape and just take shit over. You know, maybe take over the world! For real though, I could even be the next president. WATCH OUT.

URB: Any last words for people trying crack this weird music business thing?

AZ: Work hard and be nice; this shit is a tree full of monkeys, you look up and see asses everywhere. It’s best to play nice and let things come your way and never forget to work hard, no matter who you dealing with and what’s around. Also, make sure to have a team around that you can trust as well as guide you through everything. That helps out a lot too.