Wikipedia

Tank and the Bangas

Tank and the Bangas is an American musical group based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band won the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest and in November 2019, they were nominated in the Best New Artist category for the 2020 Grammy Awards. They have released three studio albums, Thinktank (2013), Green Balloon (2019), and Red Balloon (2022). They earned a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album nomination for their album The Heart, The Mind, The Soul.[1]

Tank and the Bangas
Tank and The Bangas performing at French Quarter Fest, New Orleans
Tank and The Bangas performing at French Quarter Fest, New Orleans
Background information
OriginNew Orleans, Louisiana
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels
Members
  • Tarriona "Tank" Ball
  • Norman Spence
Past members
  • Joe Johnson
  • Danny Abel
  • Anjelika ”Jelly” Joseph
  • Tia Henderson
  • Jonathan Johnson
  • Albert Allenback
  • Keenan McRae
  • Nita Bailey
  • Christopher Menge
  • Nicole Spence
Websitewww.tankandthebangas.com

History

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Members of Tank and the Bangas met at a New Orleans open mic show called Liberation Lounge at now-closed Blackstar Cafe and Books in the Algiers section of New Orleans and formed the group in 2011.[2]

 
Tank and the Bangas live performance at New Orleans radio station WWOZ in 2013

Style

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Writing in The Washingtonian, Heather Rudow described the group's work as "lively fusion of funk, soul, hip hop, rock, and spoken word."[3] Speaking to the Times-Picayune, the musicians in the group mentioned a variety of genres they identify with, including rock, folk, gospel and Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph's invention "Soulful Disney". In addition to Disney, the group has also mentioned anime as influence on the group's "childlike" and "magical" sensibility, in Ball's words.[2] In the Financial Times, Joshua David Stein said, "Tank and the Bangas don’t conform to the jazz stereotypes trotted out in the lobbies of convention hotels or milked on Frenchman Street. It’s New Orleans but it’s New Orleans now."[4]

Reception

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In The Village Voice, Rajul Punjabi described the group's debut album ThinkTank as "sincere and eclectic. Ball’s vocals are strong and versatile—evidence of her childhood in church—and she coasts through sweet melodies and wide-ranging vocal undulations reminiscent of Nicki Minaj’s character voices. She throws gentle shade when reminded of this — 'I’ve been doing that before she came out,' she says."[5]

NPR

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Naming Tank and the Bangas the 2017 winner of NPR's Tiny Desk Contest for their song "Quick", NPR co-host of All Songs Considered Bob Boilen said, "What won me over about the band's performance of 'Quick' were the interactions among lead singer Tarriona 'Tank' Ball and her bandmates, and the way they seemed to surprise one another. It all felt so organic and on-the-spot."[6] Juror Trey Anastasio of Phish said, "I immediately loved this...Tank is a force of nature, just full of joy—and her band is killing in the background."[6] The story of the evolution of Tank's voice was covered in an episode of NPR's World Cafe show for essential and emerging artists.[7]

Members

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Current members

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  • Tarriona "Tank" Ball – lead vocals (2011–present)[8]
  • Joshua Johnson – drums, musical director (2011–2024)[8]
  • Norman Spence II – bass, keyboards, guitar (2011–present)[8]
  • Albert Allenback – alto saxophone, flute (2014–2023)[9][8]

Touring members

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Performers that while not core members of the band, play with the band at live performances and on some album tracks.

  • Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph – background vocals (2013–2022)[10][11]
  • Tia Henderson- Background Vocals(2019-2022)
  • Danny Abel – guitar (2018-2022)[12][13]
  • Jonathan Johnson – bass (2017–present)[13][11]
  • Etienne Stoufflet – tenor saxophone (2013-present)[14]
  • Kayla Jasmine – vocals (2016–2019)[9][11]

Past members

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  • Merell Burkett, Jr. – keyboard (2013–2020)[15][11]
  • Joe Johnson – keyboard (2013–2016)[15][9]
  • Keenan McRae – guitar (2013)[10]
  • Nita Bailey – percussion (2013)[10]
  • Christopher Menge – guitar (2013)[15]
  • Nicole Spence – background vocals (2013)[15]

Discography

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Tank and the Bangas discography
Studio albums3
EPs6
Live albums1
Singles24
Music videos24

Studio albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Sales
[16] 		US
Heat
[16]
Think Tank
  • Released: December 19, 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 – –
Green Balloon 73 3
Red Balloon
  • Released: May 13, 2022[17]
  • Label: Verve Forecast, UMG
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 74 21

Live albums

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Title Details
The Big Bang Theory: Live at Gasa Gasa
  • Released: December 5, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Extended plays

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Heat
[16]
Jam in the Van - Tank and the Bangas
  • Released: August 1, 2017[18]
  • Label: Jam in the Van
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 –
Live Vibes
  • Released: April 21, 2016
  • Label: Verve Label Group, UMG
  • Format: LP, digital download, streaming
 21
Live Vibes 2
  • Released: February 15, 2019
  • Label: Verve Forecast, UMG
  • Format: LP, digital download, streaming
 –
Friend Goals
  • Released: November 20, 2020
  • Label: Verve Forecast, UMG
  • Format: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
 –
Tank and the Bangas (Live)
  • Released: September 9, 2022
  • Label: Verve Forecast, UMG
  • Format: streaming
 –
Pretty Poems
  • Released: March 10, 2023
  • Label: UMG
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 –
Floating
  • Released: November 24, 2023
  • Label: Verve Forecast, UMG
  • Format: Vinyl
 –

Singles

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As lead artist

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Title Year Album
"Rhythm of Life" 2013 Think Tank
"Drummers" 2015 Non-album single
"Quick"[A] 2017
"Smoke.Netflix.Chill" 2018 Green Balloon
"Spaceships"
"I'll Be Seeing You" Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
"Ants" 2019 Green Balloon
"Nice Things"[19]
"For André" 2020 Non-album single
"What the World Needs Now"
(featuring David Shaw, PJ Morton, Alexis Marceaux, Maggie Koerner, Sasha Masakowski, Berkley the Artist, Rahim Glaspy & Tracci Lee)
"Self Care"[20]
(featuring Jaime Woods and Orleans Big) 		Friend Goals
"To Be Real"[21]
(featuring Hasizzle, Keedy Black, and Big Choo)
"Big"
(with Big Freedia) 		2021 Red Balloon
"Back in a Minute" Madden NFL 22
"No ID" 2022 Red Balloon
"Black Folk"
(featuring Alex Isley and Masego or remix featuring Alex Isley, Masego, Rhapsody, Kota the Friend, Orleans Big, Dee-1) 		Pretty Poems and Floating
"Stolen Fruit" Red Balloon
"Why Try"
"Oak Tree"
"There Goes the Neighborhood" Pretty Poems and Floating
"Outside" Floating
"She's a Rainbow"
(from Ghostwriter) 		Non-album single
"Communion in my Cup"
(featuring Earthgang and The Ton3s) 		Red Balloon and Floating
"DM Pretty"
(Live OffBeat Session) 		2023 Pretty Poems and Floating
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Title Year Album
"In My Bones"
(Jacob Collier featuring Kimbra and Tank and the Bangas) 		2020 Djesse Vol. 3
"Let My People Go"
(Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers featuring Tank and the Bangas) 		2021 Goshen
"Betty Bussit"
(Big Freedia featuring Soaky Siren and Tank and the Bangas) 		Big Diva Energy

Music videos

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Title Year Director
"Boxes" (ReLoaded) 2013 RandoMe
"Drummers" 2015 RawKus TV
"Quick" 2017 FosterBear Films
"Spaceships" 2018 Nick Spanos
"Spaceships" (Live Performance) Kyle Goldberg
"Ants" 2019 Jean Baptist's-Ramondi
"Nice Things" (Live Performance) Kyle Goldberg
"Nice Things" Danny Williams
"Hot Air Balloons"
(featuring Alex Isley) 		TATB and Tavia Osbey
"Forgetfulness" Alina Kulieva
"I'll Be Seeing You" Un­known
"Dope Girl Magic" 2020 Jake Wilson
"Lazy Daze"
(featuring Robert Glasper) 		David Bates Jr. and Tavia Osbey
"What the World Needs Now"
(with various artists) 		Un­known
"Self-Care"
(featuring Jaime Woods, Orleans Big, and Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph) 		Un­known
"To Be Real"
(featuring Hasizzle, Keedy Black, and Big Choo) 		Tarriona Ball
"Fluff" (lyric video)
(featuring DUCKWRTH, Christian Scott, aTune Adjuah) 		Baptiste Leroux
"Big"
(featuring Big Freedia) 		2021 Marion Hill
"No ID" 2022 Phillip Youmans
"Black Folk" (lyric video)
(featuring Alex Isley and Masego) 		Michelle Renslo
"Stolen Fruit" Un­known
"Black Folk"
(featuring Alex Isley and Masego) 		Un­known
"Why Try" Un­known
"Communion in My Cup"
(featuring The Ton3s) 		Un­known

Notes

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  1. ^ A live version of "Quick" was included on the Live Vibes EP

Honors

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References

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  1. ^ Monroe, Jazz (2024-11-08). "Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  2. ^ a b Peppers, Gia (27 April 2015). "5 Things To Know About Tank and The Bangas Before They Hit the ESSENCE Fest Stage". Essence.com. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  3. ^ Rudow, Heather (11 January 2016). "Things to Do in DC This Week January 11–13: Do Yoga and Dance to EDM at 6AM". Washingtonian. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  4. ^ Stein, Joshua David (April 22, 2016). "The true blues of New Orleans". Financial Times. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  5. ^ Punjabi, Rajul (8 June 2016). "Tank and the Bangas Bring New Orleans Soul to New York City". Village Voice. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Boilen, Bob (February 28, 2017). "Introducing The Winner Of The 2017 Tiny Desk Contest". Morning Edition. NPR. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  7. ^ "The Evolution Of Tank And The Bangas' Unique Voice". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  8. ^ a b c d "TANK AND THE BANGAS RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM RED BALLOON – RELEASED MAY 13". umusic. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c MacCash, Doug (November 17, 2016). "Tank and the Bangas: Listen up to this New Orleans band on the rise". Times-Picayune. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  10. ^ a b c Ramsey, Jan (December 19, 2013). "Tank and the Bangas Release Debut Album with Show at Tipitina's". OffBeat Magazine. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d Nilles, Billy (January 20, 2020). "Get to Know Tank and the Bangas, Best New Artist Nominee at This Year's Grammys". EOnline. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  12. ^ ""Band Bio"". www.tankandthebangas.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  13. ^ a b Freeman, Jon (2018-08-17). "The Joyful New Orleans Noise of Tank and the Bangas". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  14. ^ "Get to Know Tank and the Bangas, Best New Artist Nominee at This Year's Grammys". E! Online. 2020-01-20. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  15. ^ a b c d "Thinktank by Tank and the Bangas". Louisiana Music Factory. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "Chart search - Tank and the Bangas". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  17. ^ "Tank and the Bangas Announce New LP 'Red Balloon', Share Single "No ID"". jambands.com. January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  18. ^ "Jam in the Van - Tank and the Bangas - EP by Jam in the Van & Tank and the Bangas". Apple Music. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  19. ^ TankAndTheBangasVEVO (28 March 2019). "Tank And The Bangas - Nice Things (Audio)". YouTube. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  20. ^ "Self Care - Tank and the Bangas". Spotify. 7 October 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "To Be Real - Tank and the Bangas". Spotify. 28 October 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Ramsey, Jan (November 14, 2013). "New Orleans' Next Art Stars Compete At RAW Artists RAWards November 14". OffBeat Magazine. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  23. ^ Crawford, Kelley (April 14, 2016). "Blues Fest Spotlight: Tank and the Bangas". The Advocate. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  24. ^ OffBeat Staff (January 28, 2015). "2014 Best of the Beat Award Winners". OffBeat Magazine. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  25. ^ Fields, Rob (July 10, 2016). "PHOTOS: Afropunk's Battle of the Bands Finals 2016". Bold as Love Magazine. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  26. ^ "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List". GRAMMY.com. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  27. ^ "2023 Grammy Nominations". Grammys.com. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  28. ^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Winners & Nominees List". grammy.com. 10 November 2023. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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