Azealia Banks has the unique power to interview incredibly well. She’s well-spoken, extremely intelligent, and poignant – the three things any new artist must have to be successful in the eyes of the media. In a very detailed interview with Hypetrak TV at Clockenflap (Hong Kong’s Music and Arts Festival), Azealia shares her ambitions that come with her rise to fame. She begins by discussing her favorite album (and mine) of 2013 at 0:47, rightfully giving transgender rapper Mykki Blanco’s ‘The Illuminati Prince/ss’ #tensacrosstheboard. In 2013, Azealia wants to release two albums (2:13) and reinvent her style in the process. She critiques the rap game for its superficiality and even calls it tacky. She argues for her own strengths, particularly the ability to reintroduce lost genres, and shares her ambition to leave rap to work on some hip, contemporary jazz music (3:29). Being a rapper forever isn’t in her main eyesight, and with her versatility, transgressing to different genres will be no problem. Banks also discusses her massive fanbase (4:10), particularly on Twitter, asserting that they’re between 14-25 and at least “75% homosexual”. What’s the most interesting is her acknowledgment of the pros and cons of being a #fashiondarling. With Alexander Wang and Karl Lagerfeld chomping to have her wear their haute couture looks, she also finds the notion of branding (4:37) as a downside to becoming famous. The interview ends with an update on her debut album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’, praising how mature it is from her previous releases. She calls her musicality “anti-pop” (6:15) and assures it will be the complete opposite of everything out now. Watch the full Hypetrak interview below.