Azealia Banks Downplays Kanye West & Celebrity Co-Signs, "It's Cool But They're Just People"

With the strong viral buzz built off her 2011 "212" anthem and with her new single "F-ck Up the Fun" making even more noise, rap newcomer Azealia Banks opens up on rubbing elbows with hip-hop elite, in the latest issue of GQ magazine.

Based on an excerpt from a recent interview, Banks downplays receiving co-signs amongst the likes of entertainers such as Kanye West and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Harlem-born 20-year-old seems almost aggressively unastonished by the attention. "I definitely have more money [now] and sh*t," she admits, "but that's all virtual stuff. I've been making music for a while. And I could read about myself on the Internet for a while." And meeting the likes of Kanye? "It's cool, but they're just people. The skies don't part and glow orange." As Banks begins recording her first album, is she listening to anyone for inspiration? "Everyone," she says, but mostly "Azealia Banks." (GQ)

Banks was recently spotted at Yeezy's Paris Fashion Week showcase earlier this month.

Ms. Kardashian was sitting in the front row at Mr. West's late-night showing at Paris Fashion Week, along with Alicia Keys, Sean Combs, Common and Azealia Banks, so maybe that gives some idea of the target customer he has in mind for a collection that seemed desperately trying to project both an aura of coolness and easy availability. Not that Mr. West was saying. (New York Times)

Recently, fellow Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky said he tried to ink Banks to his team, but had no success in doin so.

MTV Hive caught up with A$AP Rocky backstage at the MTVu Woodies Festival earlier today, and he gave them a few details about his forthcoming Long Live A$AP. For the album production, he's working with A$AP Ty Beats, Clams Casino, Spaceghostpurrp, Araabmuzik, and more. Rocky also shared an interesting connection to Azealia Banks. He explained, "We know her. We grew up with her. There's a member of my group, his name is A$AP AV--that's his ex. I wouldn't mind working with her. I tried to sign her, but unfortunately, she's too hot." (Complex)

No stranger to controversy, the female artist recently engaged in a short-lived feud with rap newcomer and Grand Hustle artist, Iggy Azalea.

"Iggy Azalea on the XXL freshman list is all wrong," remarked Banks on Twitter. "How can you endorse a white woman who called herself a 'runaway slave master'?" She continued, "Sorry guys. But I'm pro black girl. I'm not anti white girl, but I'm also not here for any1 outside of my culture trying to trivialize very serious aspects of it." Iggy, who is affiliated with T.I.'s Grand Hustle family, did not personally address the comments, but did respond to her critics. "You can't block my blessings! Today I'm celebrating! Get with it or kick rocks!" she tweeted. "First female freshman. Ever. Period. Thanks world! I used to stick XXL on my bedroom door, now I'm on the cover. Life is great." (Rap-Up)