Ant Banks

Ant Banks, a Bay Area producer who emerged in the early '90s, gained recognition for his work with local legend Too Short and appeared on soundtracks for Juice and Menace II Society in 1992. By signing with Jive Records, Banks released his debut album, Sittin' on Something Phat, in 1993, showcasing his skills both behind the microphone and the mixing board. His subsequent albums, The Big Badass, Do or Die, and Big Thangs, featured collaborations with West Coast rap heavyweights like Ice Cube, 2Pac, and Too Short. In 1999, Banks found success with his project T.W.D.Y., highlighted by the hit track "Players Holiday," followed by a second T.W.D.Y. album, Lead the Way, in 2000.

Ant Banks made a name for himself in the hip-hop scene through his production work with Too Short and other Bay Area artists, leading to a record deal with Jive Records. His early albums demonstrated his versatility in music production, incorporating live instrumentation and collaborations with notable rap figures. Banks' strategic approach of enlisting top West Coast rappers for his 1997 album Big Thangs paid off with a Top 20 placement. With the success of his T.W.D.Y. projects in the late '90s and early 2000s, particularly the hit "Players Holiday," Banks solidified his reputation as a skilled producer and artist in the rap industry.