Dallas newcomer Erica Banks released her self-titled debut project for 1501 Certified Entertainment on Friday (June 19) and has instantly drawn comparisons to Megan Thee Stallion, from her cadence to her flow and more.
Many are drawing comparisons to how Megan came up under the 1501 label from car freestyles to mannerisms and created a new wave of female artists in the same vein that Lil Wayne gave birth to many styles and Young Thug gave birth to the likes of Gunna and Lil Keed.
Banks’ brushed off the accusations that she was a Megan copycat, pointing out that Texas rappers all sound very similar regardless of location. “Only ppl from Texas understand we all have the same “accent” lol,” she tweeted. She later followed it up saying, “Been getting a lot of “I was wrong about you, you hard” messages.. don’t let social media influence you before actually checkin somebody out, you just might like em.”
only ppl from Texas understand that we all have the same âaccentâ lol
— Erica Banks ? (@realericabanks) June 18, 2020
been gettin a lot of âi was wrong about you, you hardâ messages.. donât let social media influence you before actually checkin somebody out, you just might like em ?
— Erica Banks ? (@realericabanks) June 20, 2020
Still, that hasn’t kept social media critics from judging Banks mostly due to her affiliation with 1501 after the label’s recent drama with its biggest star. Earlier this year, friction arose between Megan and 1501 label head Carl Crawford after the “Savage” rapper wanted to renegotiate her contract. After a public back-and-forth in the press, a judge ruled in Megan’s favor, granting her an injunction to release her Suga project.
1501 Certified Ent. Artists Criticize Label Following Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawsuit
Banks released a flurry of projects in 2019 before striking with her first noticeable hit, the Nelly “Hot In Herre” sampling “Buss It.” The conversation surrounding her and 1501’s first big star won’t die down anytime soon as numerous critics pointed out on Twitter.
Listen to Erica Banks for yourself and see the discussion surrounding Banks below.
Erica Banks
Only 2 years in the game and megan got her first son….? pic.twitter.com/74Jz8xrmey
— â˛ALACTATHOT ⧠(@chancexclip) June 17, 2020
erica banks referring to dallas as D Town when they don't even call it that. filming a pole dancer copy cat, saying 'aye' and 'uh' etc. etc…..that's yoongi and megan's son pic.twitter.com/yjWHuGYkGo
— xio⡠misses bangtan (@honsooll) June 17, 2020
Erica Banks donât give anything close to Megan she just raps like she from Texas.
— Sid Fleeks (@sidfleeks) June 17, 2020
non texans really saying Erica Banks stole Meg flow…. idiots
— AJ (@___Ajbates) June 17, 2020
Erica Banks and Megan Thee Stallion do not sound the same. Literally have to come to Texas to understand. Why constantly put Black women against each other? Shit childish.
— ? (@kayyreal2) June 17, 2020
itâs getting weird pic.twitter.com/BwQWNZ8uxr
— ayan (@ctrlskrt) June 19, 2020
Iâve been listening to Erica Banks since 2018 and honestly thatâs her style, she been talking about all that but yâall finally see some of her new work and assume she trying to be like Meg. She been out
— Beautiful Queen â? (@Qveeen___) June 17, 2020
Meg when she see Erica banks rapping pic.twitter.com/yLIsw4zvhP
— Sephy and Callum Stan ??? âď¸â (@Love_Timerea_) June 17, 2020
Erica Banks copying Megan Thee Stallion : A THREAD ?? pic.twitter.com/EYc4X28aVO
— Thee Hectic Hottie ?? (@thehectichottie) June 19, 2020
Why they give you her old chain tho ? pic.twitter.com/vOliuokIyu
— |5150| ? (@danamezmonae) June 17, 2020