Yesterday, Wu Tang Clan's RZA and Interpol's Paul Banks announced their plans for a musical collaboration under the name Banks & Steelz. They released the first single "Love + War" feat. Ghostface Killah via Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show on Apple Music. Today, Banks & Steelz released the video for "Love and War" directed by Arms Race via Pitchfork and inspired by Reservoir Dogs.
"For love sometimes we find ourselves at war and the combatants may do anything to win," RZA says of the song. "For me love is worth fighting for, as long as love is not lost."
Fans were able to catch a first glimpse of the video at pop-up storefront installations in Los Angeles (410 N. Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA 90036) and New York (154 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002.
The Wu Producer/MC and Interpol frontman first began working on music together in 2013. RZA told Rolling Stone at the time that the idea to collaborate with Banks sparked after RZA's manager asked him who he wanted to do an album with. "When I met Paul, I recognized the New York energy he has as a music artist. We got to know each other playing chess and vibing out in the studio. Our talents connected in a unique way and we started writing songs. The outcome was something distinctively different from my previous work, yet with another layer of cool."
"Love + War" is the first song to be released from Banks & Steelz's upcoming album to be released Warner Bros. Records later this year. Fans will be able to see Banks & Steelz live at festivals across the country including FYF Fest, Life is Beautiful,and Austin City Limits Music Festival.
8/27 - 8/28 FYF FESTIVAL Los Angeles, CA
9/23 - 9/25 LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL Las Vegas, NV
9/30 - 10/2 + 10/7 - 10/9 AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL Austin, TX
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