Johnnay Banks: An R&B/pop artist bringing raw authenticity back to music, writing songs that turn real-life growth and boundary-setting into anthems.

The story behind "I Don’t Chase" comes straight from dealing with frustrating situationships. I was tired of chasing men who weren’t matching my energy and didn’t even know what they wanted. Writing this song cost me a few dead-end connections, but it was worth every bit of it because it taught me how to walk away, protect my peace, and realize my true value.

Where it started

I started singing in church at such a young age. Growing up, I got my biggest inspiration from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson—I would watch him all the time and think, "Wow, I want to be just like him when I grow up." I started singing in the fifth grade when I joined the school choir, and ever since then, I’ve been hooked on performing at different events. Looking back, those early choir days and living room dance-offs are what laid the foundation for the artist I am today—they taught me how to connect with people through sound.

The come-up

The road here wasn't clean. The biggest thing I’ve had to overcome is balancing the hustle of running my own beauty business with finding the time, funds, and energy to pursue my music full-force. It’s easy to let doubt creep in when you're wearing every hat yourself, but I've learned to bet on myself, stay consistent, and trust that my hard work will pay off.

The project

The latest is **Written about holding my ground, knowing my worth, and letting what's meant for me naturally find its way. The song centers on the idea of not forcing connections, chasing validation, or begging people to stay, but instead focusing on self-worth and letting the right energy naturally gravitate toward me.

What they want you to know

I want them to feel empowered, understood, and confident when they listen to my music.

What's next

I am working on my next single and an upcoming EP project. On top of dropping new music and content, I’ll be performing "I Don’t Chase" live. More content, more music, and upcoming live performances are definitely on the way.

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