• June 11, 2004
• Lay Bankz was born Layla Watkins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Growing up in Southwest Philadelphia with Eritrean roots, her music reflects a vibrant mix of influences: Jersey Club's frenetic energy blending with smooth R&B vocals and a dash of catchy pop-rap, creating a sound that's all her own.
• Bankz started singing at the age of 3. She remembers grandma's Sunday cleaning soundtrack of old-school R&B and Beyoncé blasting from the car speakers on preschool runs.
• This future star wasn't waiting around. By 15, she'd already released her first track, "Passion." Right after that, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, alongside the rise of TikTok. "I said to my friends, 'Listen, I'm gonna be TikTok famous,'" Bankz told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "I don't know about y'all but I'm about to lock in, I have nothing else to do."
• Social media became Lay Bankz's playground, especially TikTok, where she amassed a huge following. She uses the platform to connect with fans, share her music and showcase her killer dance moves – another key ingredient in her captivating performances.
• In 2022, Lay Bankz signed with a major talent agency, Artist Partner Group. That same year, she unleashed her debut single under the label, "Left Cheek (Doo Doo Blick)," which quickly gained traction.
• 2024 was the year Lay Bankz truly exploded. "Tell Ur Girlfriend" dropped in February, and with a viral dance trend taking off on TikTok, the song became a global sensation.

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