To coincide with Black Music Month, Best New Artist Grammy nominee Tank and The Bangas have released a new track, “There Goes The Neighborhood.”
Of the song, Tarriona “Tank” Ball says, “‘There Goes The Neighborhood’ is a poetic and clear cut way we look at the ripping of historical neighborhoods of Black and Brown people of New Orleans and around the world. We hope to shed light not only on the conditions they endure because they are there, but the changes that happen when they leave.”
In addition, the band performed their song “Black Folk” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series yesterday.
“Black Folk” appears on the group’s third studio album, Red Balloon, which is out now and continues to receive widespread praise. Predominantly produced by Tank and the Bangas, the 16-track album includes contributions from Alex Isley, Masego, Lalah Hathaway, Jacob Collier, Questlove, Big Freedia, Trombone Shorty, Jamison Ross, The Hamiltones, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Wayne Brady.
Red Balloon was born out of a pandemic-ordered break from the band’s rigorous touring schedule. The hiatus gave the band space to breathe and double down on who they are as artists, allowing them to reunite as a more unified group. The new work has evolved and pushes the band to a new level, shedding light on their unique observations and songwriting reflecting on the ills of America while also celebrating the beauty of Black life.
The band will continue their extensive run of dates with Trombone Shorty, which includes performances at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Chicago’s Ravinia, Detroit’s Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, and more.
New Orleans-based Tank and the Bangas rose to prominence in 2017 following their unanimous NPR Music Tiny Desk Contest victory. In 2019, the band released their major label debut Green Balloon on Verve Forecast to widespread critical praise. Last year, Tank and The Bangas released their EP Friend Goals, featuring CHIKA, Duckwrth, and PJ Morton.