Banco (Sir Michael Rocks album)

Banco is the debut studio album by American rapper Sir Michael Rocks. The album was released on July 29, 2014, by 6 Cell Phones.[1] The album features guest appearances from Twista, Casey Veggies, Iamsu!, Robb Banks, Pouya, Mac Miller, Trinidad James, Too Short and Chuck Inglish.

Banco
Studio album by Sir Michael Rocks
Released	July 29, 2014
Recorded	2013–2014
Genre	Hip hop
Length	49:49
Label	6 Cell Phones
Producer	Sir Michael Rocks
Sir Michael Rocks chronology
While You Wait... (2013) Banco (2014)
Singles from Banco
"Memo" Released: December 17, 2013

Background

In a July 2014, interview with Nah Right he spoke about how he chose the features for the album, saying: "Well, the way I go about picking features, I always try to pick people that are going to add something to the song who would serve a necessary purpose on this song. I don’t ever take a feature because so-and-so is hot or I need to get with ‘em. It doesn’t even work like that. Niggas don’t even give me features like that. I’m definitely not about to do that. I just pick people who serve a purpose on a song and make the song better, and some people are friends of mine and people I admire and respect, so I just pick people who make the song better and serve a purpose on it."[2]

Release and promotion

On December 17, 2013, the album's first single "Memo" was released.[3] On January 14, 2014, the music video was released for "Memo".[4] On June 19, 2014, the music video was released for "Playstation 1.5".[5] On July 15, 2014, the music video was released for "Fuck SeaWorld".[6] On July 23, 2014, the music video was released for "Bussin'" featuring Casey Veggies and Iamsu!.[7]

Critical response

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Consequence of Sound	B-[8]
Exclaim!	7/10[9]
HipHopDX	[10]
RedEye	[11]
XXL	3/5 (L)[12]

Banco was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Jesse Fairfax of HipHopDX stated "The choice of shrouding his trademark oddity in stock cuts and sheer confidence is a curious one, but Banco remains entertaining for the most part."[10] Erin Lowers of Exclaim! said, "While the definitive setting of Banco is Chi-Town's disruptive powers and anger, Mikey Rocks brings forth the warming soul that soothes it. Having already established a career within the boom-bap realm, Sir Michael Rock's reinvention as a solo artist rips apart the blueprints he once laid and sets a foundation that may lead straight to el Banco."[9] Michael Blair of XXL stated, "There are undeniable moments of prosperity within Banco, and it’s impossible to not vibe with Sir Michael for owning his lyrical distinction as confident as he does his luxurious wardrobe. But upon completion of the album, Banco unquestionably leaves the listener yearning for a certain type of production that more appropriately suits his lyrical capacity."[12] Adam Kivel of Consequence of Sound said, "Though elements of it seem somewhat unconnected, Banco should go a long way towards making the solo stuff just as much of a hot commodity."[8]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro"	Antoine Reed	Reno	3:41
2.	"Memo"	Reed	Reno	3:41
3.	"Some Ish" (featuring Twista)	Reed Carl Mitchell	Blended Babies	5:23
4.	"The Docks Skit"	Reed		1:28
5.	"Bussin'" (featuring Casey Veggies and Iamsu!)	Reed Casey Jones Sudan Williams	Reno	4:24
6.	"Playstation 1.5"	Reed	Sir Michael Rocks	1:59
7.	"Drug Dealer"	Reed	Reno	3:02
8.	"Kill Switch" (featuring Robb Bank$ and Pouya)	Reed Richard Burrell Kevin Pouya	Reno	3:43
9.	"Dino Feeding Skit"	Reed		1:14
10.	"Lost Boys" (featuring Mac Miller and Trinidad James)	Reed Malcolm McCormick Nicholas Williams	Larry Fisherman	5:39
11.	"One Time" (featuring Buddy)	Reed	Tye Hill	4:13
12.	"Cold Sore Skit"	Reed		1:37
13.	"Fuck SeaWorld"	Reed	Sir Michael Rocks	2:45
14.	"Ain't Nothing Like" (featuring Too $hort and Chuck Inglish)	Reed Todd Shaw Evan Ingersoll Dijon McFarlane	DJ Mustard	3:28
15.	"Francois"	Reed	Reno	3:27
Total length:				49:49

Charts

Chart (2014)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[13]	118
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[14]	21
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[15]	13
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[16]	19

References

1. "iTunes - Music - Banco by Sir Michael Rocks". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
2. "Interview: Sir Michael Rocks Talks Solo Identity, Banco, and Favorite Miami Strip Clubs". Nah Right. 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
3. "iTunes - Music - Memo - Single by Sir Michael Rocks". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
4. "Sir Michael Rocks - "Memo"". HipHop DX. 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
5. Frydenlund, Zach (2014-06-19). "Premiere: Sir Michael Rocks Announces "Banco" Release Date, Drops "Playstation 1.5"". Complex. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
6. "Sir Michael Rocks - "Fuck SeaWorld"". HipHop DX. 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
7. Eakin, Marah (2014-07-23). "Sir Michael Rocks is "Bussin" in a new video". Avclub.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
8. Cosores, Philip. "Sir Michael Rocks – Banco". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
9. Lowers, Erin (2014-08-12). "Sir Michael Rocks - Banco". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
10. Fairfax, Jesse. "Sir Michael Rocks - Banco". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
11. Wilkins, Ernest (July 29, 2014). "Sir Michael Rocks' 'Banco' works when it's weird". RedEye. Tribune Company. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
12. "Sir Michael Rocks Continues To Establish His Own Identity On 'Banco'". Xxlmag.com. 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
13. "Sir Michael Rocks Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
14. "Sir Michael Rocks Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
15. "Sir Michael Rocks Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
16. "Sir Michael Rocks Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2014.