Meet Lay Bankz, the rising singer and rapper also known as Layia Watkins.
She's blown up online, creating viral music and dance trends for more than 4.2 million followers on TikTok as thelaybankz and on Instagram as laybankz.
Let’s get to know the real Lay Bankz: from her background and rise to fame to what makes her stand out as a creator.
How old is Lay Bankz?
Lay Bankz is turning 21 in 2025, with her birthday landing on June 11. That officially makes her a Gemini!
Where is Lay Bankz from?
Lay Bankz is a true Philly girl, born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia.
She also proudly reps her background, which is Eritrean on her mother's side and African American on her father's side.
Lay Bankz's family and personal life
Her mom was a huge musical influence, introducing her to icons like Beyoncé and Keyshia Cole during car rides to school. From a young age, Lay was always creative, trying everything from playing instruments to writing her own raps.
She keeps it honest in her songs, pulling inspiration directly from her own life and relationships. Her track “Tell Ur Girlfriend,” for example, is famously based on a real-life messy situation she went through.
Lay Bankz's journey as a creator
Lay Bankz is a masterclass in turning social media savvy into a thriving music career.
- She started writing her own raps at just 10 years old and released her first song at 15.
- She first built a following on TikTok as a dancer before revealing her musical talents.
- Her songs like “Ick” and “Tell Ur Girlfriend” blew up with viral dance trends, taking over the internet.
- In 2024, she dropped her debut album, 'After 7,' and her hit “Tell Ur Girlfriend” landed on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Her stage name is an acronym for “Billionaires Attract Natural Kinetix Zen.”
What kinds of followers does Lay Bankz have?
Lay Bankz's audience is mostly teens and young adults who are always online. They're the ones discovering new music and starting viral trends on apps like TikTok.
Her fans love high-energy music with catchy hooks that are perfect for a dance challenge. They connect with her blend of R&B and hip-hop and appreciate that she keeps it real in her songs.
Grow your audience with Beacons
Just like Lay Bankz, some of the biggest names online use Beacons to grow their brand. It’s an all-in-one spot where you can build a custom link-in-bio page, set up an online store, and check your stats.
Creators like JVKE, Fall Out Boy, and streamer Andrea Botez are all using it to connect with their audience and manage their business.
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