The contagious smile. The unforgettable refrains that linger in your mind long after the song ends. The command of literary devices. The voice that makes you stop and ask, ‘What is this that she’s evoking in me?’ The undeniable talent, the unmistakable accent, the radiant glow—it’s clear Tank knows she’s that girl.
Tarriona “Tank” Ball, the charismatic (and ever fly) frontwoman of celebrated band Tank and the Bangas, is a force of creativity. With her soulful voice and deeply personal poetry, Tank has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. A Grammy-nominated artist, she stands at the vanguard of the New Orleans music renaissance, championing authenticity, cultural celebration, and the transformative power of poetry. From celebrating Black womanhood to demanding investment in her beloved city, Tank’s story is as multifaceted as her art.
Tank and the Bangas is a genre-defying musical force that blends funk, soul, R&B, hip-hop, and spoken word into an electrifying and unforgettable experience. The band first captured the world’s attention by winning NPR’s prestigious Tiny Desk Contest in 2017, stunning audiences with their energy and innovative sound. Since then, Tank and the Bangas have performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, and solidified their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in music today.
Tank took time to chat with I Love Us last week, offering an intimate look into her artistic journey, upcoming projects, and her unrelenting pride in Black culture. As she gears up for her upcoming The Heart, The Mind, The Soul tour, Tank shared her excitement for all of her recent wins.
“This Black Girl” Got That Magic
Tank’s artistry reaches new heights in “This Black Girl,” a visually stunning and emotionally resonant music video that celebrates the diversity and strength of Black womanhood. Tank was intentional in her selection of the women featured, drawing from her own circle of loved ones to craft a showcase of authenticity and representation.
“I chose as many Black women as I could find. Certain things were definitely intentional, and certain things were just like, ‘Can you come through? You a beautiful girl,’” Tank shared with a laugh. The video radiates the individuality and collective strength of Black women, with a range of looks, textures, ages and shades, defying stereotypes and embracing unapologetic joy and confidence. From cascading braids and locs to natural curls, striking individuality, and distinctive styles, the women in the video move through the scenes with confidence and grace, celebrating the beauty of diversity within the Black woman experience.
Director Justen Williams helped bring Tank’s vision to life, framing the women around her in a way that emphasized their interconnected beauty. “[The video] involves a lot of very important, strong people that make this world what it is,” Williams explained in a behind-the-scenes clip. “And by that, I’m talking about Black women.”
At its core, “This Black Girl” is a declaration: Black women are complex, vibrant, and invaluable. Tank’s poetic lyrics challenge stereotypes and invite viewers to see beyond surface-level narratives.
“I don’t speak for all Black girls, but if I don’t, then who will?”
“There’s one line that said, ‘I don’t speak for all Black girls, but if I don’t, say who will?’” Tank reflected. “I’m definitely known for being someone who’s gotta say what I’m feeling or thinking, especially if nobody else says it. I just knew a lot of people were going through these things, but they wouldn’t say it.” She discusses themes of identity and agency, tackling topics like the boys’ club, the natural-versus-relaxed hair debate, and societal expectations. “I’m not defined by whether I get married, finish school, or make a family,” she added. “Them Black girls—they put us all in a group, but we’re so much more than that…especially if you really got a hold of that magic. We really add something to this world.”
Tank’s pride in Black womanhood pulses through every frame of the video, with the powerful message: Black women are more than their skin, their hair, or any other superficial aspect. The song is a love letter to the complexity and power of Black women, reinforcing their unapologetic existence. Tank emphasized. “I just wanted you to see me as more than just this one thing.”
The Heart of a Poet
For Tank, poetry is one of her first loves—a medium that embraced her long before music did. “Poetry loved me before even music loved me,” she shared, reflecting on its central role in her creative journey. “Every set that we do and every album we’ve done, I’ve always wanted to incorporate poetry.”
The significance of poetry in Tank’s life became even clearer during a pivotal moment at the Grammys. “When I was at the Grammys last year, sitting there losing,” she laughed, “a category came up, and it said spoken word. I went, ‘Spoken word? That’s my category,’” she recalled. “I’ve been writing since I was 12 and performing in spoken word for years. I knew after that moment I was about to go in on that.”
Her path was shaped by the advice of a mentor, who once urged her to focus on music first, allowing poetry to complement it. “People listen to music more than they listen to poetry,” Tank remembered being told. “I’ll be able to gather more ears that way.” Now, after years of blending spoken word into her music and performances, she feels it’s poetry’s time to shine.
Tank’s dedication to poetry has resulted in critical acclaim, including a current Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album. Her career is proof that words have the power to resonate as deeply as any melody.
Elevating a City’s Voice
New Orleans isn’t just Tank’s hometown, but also a central part of the heart she shares with us all. As a proud daughter of the renowned city, she celebrates its culture and is determined to preserve its legacy. Alongside her love for her city comes a tinge of frustration—New Orleans has long inspired the world, yet too often, that inspiration isn’t met with tangible support.
“They come, they get inspired, and then they leave. Or they take the culture and the music of the moment, they make a big song, and then they leave the rest of it behind. It’s been that way for a while,” Tank shared.
Despite this, she finds hope in the way local artists are starting to come together. “I love that we’re starting to make our force a little more recognizable, like when myself, and PJ Morton, and Big Freedia all stand together and we go on these tours together and we share opportunities and things like that. I’m happy that we’re starting to come together a little bit more.”
With Super Bowl LVIII on the horizon, Tank expressed her hopes for the event to truly benefit her city. “I just know that we’re going to do some shows, some partnerships,” she said. “And I just hope that everybody that’s been working throughout the year get a spotlight.”
Referencing Essence’s recent spotlight on New Orleans, which included magazine features, sponsorships, and support for small businesses, Tank added, “It was really special. If the Super Bowl does something like that, but on a larger scale, that will be amazing because this city honestly has, it’s been hard literally since Hurricane Katrina. There are areas in New Orleans that look like it was hit last week. So, it’s always important for us…if anybody comes to our city to not just enjoy our amazing food and our music and our entertainment but for them to actually pour back into the city as well. We literally need it.”
As we previously reported, the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Walt Disney World was also a celebration of New Orleans culture and artistry. Tank and the Bangas were on-site for the grand opening festivities. A highlight of the weekend was a jubilant soiree, complete with a traditional second line parade and the presence of numerous New Orleans culture bearers. Following the soiree, guests were treated to an intimate concert at the House of Blues in Disney Springs, where I Love Us had the opportunity to be front and center.
Recalling the experience, Tank shared, “The best part, honestly, was probably being in the park with everybody and Disney treating New Orleans people so special. Everybody was there, all the culture bearers of the city was there. The second line was in the street. It was somebody that you’re going to see at a regular second line in New Orleans, right there, literally in Disney. And that was so dope.” The collaboration didn’t end there, Tank said. “They called us back to do the big [The Lion King 30th] anniversary show, where there were dancers, and lights, and pyros [in Disneyland]. Girl, it was amazing!”
The Heart, The Mind, The Soul
Tank and the Bangas are embarking on their highly anticipated The Heart, The Mind, The Soul tour, starting tomorrow at recordBar in Kansas City, MO. With stops across the United States and Europe, the tour promises the band’s signature blend of poetry, soul, and whimsy.
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Tank also revealed her strategic approach to releasing the album, which rolled out in three respective EPs and culminated in October 2024.
“People’s attention spans are short. You guys are listening to music for free, but music is not free to make. It’s very expensive. It’s very time consuming and then it’s over within the flick of your thumb. It’s so painful…it’s old the next week that it’s out. My album hasn’t even been out a year yet and people are like ‘what’s next?’ And you’re like, ‘That was next. Soak in that,’” she passionately expressed.
“But, as always, we live in a world where your next best thing needs to be the next week. So, I definitely was like, ‘This needs to be taken in dosages. It needs to live. It needs to have its moments, very special.’ I didn’t want people to just gobble it up so fast. I wanted it to have some space and for you to be excited about the next one and the next one.”
“But, as always, we live in a world where your next best thing needs to be the next week.”
Good for Your Soul
Despite the short attention spans, we are in an era that seemingly welcomes the return of analog media. Tank and the Bangas have consistently championed the tangible experience of vinyl records, but this commitment isn’t a recent trend for them. As Tank explains, “We have always released on vinyl.”
Reflecting on the origins of this decision, she muses, “We started it so many years ago, with our first release with the label. Maybe it was because we was with a small label, maybe it was because we was chilling with people that really loved vinyl, or, carry the catalog of Nina Simone and all the great jazz singers. I don’t know, but it does really well for us.”
For Tank, vinyl is a connection to music’s soul. “Our fans really love vinyl,” she notes, adding, “and I think that people that love vinyl are music lovers. We have a lot of music lovers because we are a live band. So vinyl does really well for us. And I love vinyl. I have a vinyl player in almost every room of my house.”
She even recalls a trip to Tel Aviv where the prevalence of vinyl reinforced her own appreciation. “When I went to Tel Aviv, they had vinyls in every room. I was like, when I get my house, I’m gonna have vinyls in every room. And I love it. A vinyl, they feel like they’re in the room with you. I love it.” This tactile connection extends beyond the physical object itself to the very way the music sounds and feels. As Tank eloquently puts it, “They just feel better. They feel better to your soul.”
A Voice That Transcends
Through her words, music, and unwavering commitment to authenticity, Tank invites the world to see and celebrate good art. As she sets out to tour and eagerly awaits the Grammy results, the I Love Us team is rooting for her victory. Tank’s commitment to authenticity and artistry reminds us all that the magic within her is a reflection of the possibility within us all.
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