American rapper and singer Azealia Banks is countering a wave of international artist cancellations by booking her third performance in Israel, which is set to take place at the Tel Aviv Amphitheater on October 8.
Banks has already arrived and is reportedly using Tel Aviv as a creative refuge to work on new music with prominent local producer Yinon Yahel.
Known for blending sharp, rapid-fire flows with heavy underground house and club beats, her setlist is expected to feature career-defining hits like “212,” “Anna Wintour,” “Liquorice,” and “The Big Big Beat.”
Organizers teased that the night will bring her signature intense energy, along with a possible first listen to her collaborative tracks with Yahel.
Banks’ relationship with the country has been highly publicized, erratic, and deeply polarized: Banks first stood up to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement in 2018 ahead of an early Tel Aviv show.
Banks emerges as an outspoken supporter of Israel
At the time, she slammed cancellation demands as “totally antisemitic,” arguing that giving in would mean unfairly targeting Jewish fans. However, shortly after the trip, she temporarily vowed never to return, citing alleged encounters with racism.
In mid-2025, Banks re-emerged as an outspoken supporter, publicly identifying as a Zionist.
After European promoters canceled her UK and EU tour bookings because she refused to chant pro-Palestinian slogans on stage, she traveled to Israel for a multi-week solidarity tour.
Organized by veteran Israeli producer Almog Sarid, she headlined a sold-out show at the Tel Aviv Amphitheater to mark the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, declaring the date a time of “deep remembrance.”
During that trip, she toured Yad Vashem and the site of the Nova music festival.
Her October show follows a highly volatile period.
In March, Banks abruptly turned on Israel via social media amid heightening geopolitical tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. In a series of profane, viral posts, she rescinded her support, wrote “F*** ISRAEL,” and heavily criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite her sudden political change earlier this year, Banks has pivoted once again, choosing to bypass the ongoing boycotts affecting the region.
Tickets for the event are on sale through Kupat Tel Aviv.