In this installment of “Studio Sessions,” the multi-platinum songwriter explains how Saweetie sometimes uses thongs to create a certain aesthetic when recording, how a song she was writing for Jazmine Sullivan and Cardi B turned into one of her biggest songs, and more.
BY KEITH NELSON JR
/ 01.25.2024
Liana Banks’ words speak for themselves. The songwriter who made Variety’s 2021 Hitmakers of the Year list has stepped into the creative worlds of artists like Jodeci, Queen Naija, Latto, Saweetie and more, and gave them lyrics that turn their ideas into hits. If you love Saweetie’s “Best Friend,” you can thank Banks.
“At the beginning of her verse, she says, ‘Beep beep, is that my bestie in a Tessie?’ She said, ‘Girl, I can’t say that. That’s a grandma’s car.’ I told her, “Right now, trust me,” Banks told REVOLT. “She later hit me after it came out, saying, ‘Thank you so much. You were right. Everywhere I go, that’s their line.’”
In this installment of “Studio Sessions,” the multi-platinum songwriter explains how Saweetie sometimes use thongs to create a certain aesthetic when recording, how a song she was writing for Jazmine Sullivan and Cardi B turned into one of her biggest songs, and her upcoming EPs. Read below.
Who was the first artist you worked with who made you feel like you had made it?
Jodeci. It was so random. It was in Vegas around 2014/2015. I thought, “I’m about to be in the studio with Jodeci. That’s crazy (laughs).” I was writing with them. I ended up being on the song; they left me on the song, and I ended up writing two songs for them. When I came into the studio, I was initially supposed to be writing something for Mila J, and I did. But, then there was another record they wanted done. I just got on there, and they were like, “Yeah, we’re going to keep you on that.” The song is called “Sho Out.”
One of the biggest records you helped pen is Saweetie’s collaboration with Doja Cat, “Best Friend.” How did you two connect?
We first met during the pandemic. We met virtually. When I started writing with her, her team sent me beats asking, “Hey, can you do a verse on this?” I would just record myself at the crib and send it back, and then she would cut it. Eventually, she said, “I want you to come to L.A. We want to fly you out.” We ended up working super closely. “Best Friend” went through a lot of different phases. Before I knew her, it was initially supposed to be Doja Cat’s song featuring Saweetie. I guess Doja didn’t want it, so then we tweaked it. We wrote new verses for Saweetie.
She wanted to fight me over this one line (laughs). At the beginning of her verse, she says, “Beep beep, is that my bestie in a Tessie?” She said, “Girl, I can’t say that. That’s a grandma’s car.” I told her, “Right now, trust me. You’re wealthy. You’re driving different cars than the majority of people. Trust me, the girls are going to love this line. She later hit me after it came out, saying, “Thank you so much. You were right. Everywhere I go, that’s their line.”
What is a Saweetie session like?
She’s super fun. We have a good time. She’s so chill. She’s so boss. She’s very extra in the best way possible. Everything is grand. She pays a lot of attention to details, so everything’s personalized; everything is icy. She’ll have blue thongs hanging around the booth. She’ll have them around the mics.
What’s the last song you wrote that came from a real-life situation or conversation?
Anitta performed a song I helped write at the 2023 VMAs called “Grip.” I think that’s self-explanatory (laughs). It’s from real-life events.
Your song “Petty” with Cleotrapa and Lola Brooke felt like a moment. How did that song come together?
Besides the two EPs, I have tons of songs coming out with other artists that I’m super excited about. I have a show that I’m starting that I’m really excited about. I have some merch coming. I’m super into clothes and fashion. It’ll be my first product for real. So, I’m hype about that. I’ll probably be doing South By Southwest this year, but I’m not completely sure. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do some more festivals this year. We’re going to see what happens.
TAGS CARDI B JAZMINE SULLIVAN RAP
