Azealia Banks

One name you’ll be hearing a lot in 2012 is Azealia Banks. The 20-year-old Harlem rapper has sparked an Internet frenzy with the video for her raunchy single “212.” Amidst reports that Kanye West wants to sign her to G.O.O.D. Music (he called her the “future of music” at his recent DJ gig), Banks has been ranked third on the BBC’s Sound of 2012 new music list and is scheduled to play this year’s Coachella Music & Arts Festival in April.

The self-proclaimed “rap Larry David,” who attended LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, is already being compared to other female rappers.

“People have their knives out, especially with the Nicki Minaj comparisons and all that other stuff,” she told BBC. “They’re aiming at me and they’re ready to destroy me before I’ve even gotten to where I’m supposed to go. I definitely think I’m in a very fragile place since it’s the beginning.”

Most recently, she caused a stir by beefing with fellow femcee Kreayshawn on Twitter. After the “Gucci Gucci” rapper retweeted a link to her video via PornHub, Banks fired back. “You’re a dumb bitch. And you can’t rap. I’ll sit on your face. … Fall back slut,” she told her, to which Kreayshawn responded, “Come on you mad because I retweeted your link? Because I like your music? Pffff get outta here! Not a fan anymore.”