Jacob Banks’s sophomore album Lies About War is an independent affair coming four years after his Village debut. The Nigerian singer presented the singles “Just When I Thought” and “By Design (Evil Knievel” both with videos earlier this year. Banks released the album on his Nobody Records after being on a major label. Of the title, he says, “It’s about how when soldiers return from war, they tell elaborate stories of what occurred, but this tale of events only comes from their perspective. It goes to say that the victors seemingly dictate how history is told because they are the ones that made it out. It means that we need to believe we are the heroes of our own story.”

The cover art was designed by Nigerian artist Tariq Oliver who uses distorted figures to bring attention to the parts of society lacking humanity. All of the songs are infused with the conviction of gospel music and Banks sings every song like his salvation is at stake. He will take Lies About War on the road when he begins his North American and European tour on September 28th.

Jacob Banks readies his first album on his Nobody Records imprint with the single “Just What I Thought.” The brooding electronic song is the first single and video for his second full-length album coming out this Spring. The suspenseful scenario stars Banks and Nadiah Adu Gyamfi recklessly driving a car. Last year Banks released the For My Friends EP. He shares the story of how “Just What I Thought” came about in a statement:

“With everything happening in the world over the last two years or so, I consistently found myself in a space that I felt powerless. Feeling this level of powerlessness was a new feeling, but in a way I found a new type of power in the understanding that what’s for me will always be for me if I stay ready. “Just When I Thought” is a story of two parts – my rebellion to the feeling and my surrender to the feeling.”

 Banks has not revealed the name of the new album that will be the first on his label. His North American tour will kickoff September 28th in San Francisco and tickets have already gone on sale.

Jacob Banks pens a new blues with “Parade” which has a video starring Kojey Radical. Banks sings with conviction and is sure to not let anything stop him from having a good day. He was inspired to write “Parade” after attending a protest in his home of the UK. 

“I hoped to experience a sense of pride or whatever, but I didn’t experience any of that. I felt defeated by the fact we still have to do this after all of these years. We’re all risking our lives with the pandemic out there. However, it turned around in my head. No matter how hard it gets for the oppressed, civilization still doesn’t move without our consent. It was fascinating to me. I found power in it. Society requires those who stand up on the frontline and march. It needs all of the marginalized and disenfranchised groups, so get on board or get used to it.”

“Parade” is Banks’s first song of 2021. His Village debut album was released in 2018. Last year, he saw two singles “Devil That I Know” and “Stranger” come out.

Jacob Banks has a new performance of “Stranger” done live from the back of a car. His emotive baritone makes the backseat feel like an auditorium. Earlier this year he released a cover of Alicia Key’s “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” and the popular video. Fans of the TV show Power will recall hearing his song “Unknown” during the during the season three finale. The London singer has had his music heard on other television series like Lucifer, Suits and Black Lightning in addition to a bunch of video games. “Stranger” comes two years after his debut album Village.