News/Playlist: Sir Michael Rocks – Banco Reaches #1 on Billboard Heatseekers Chart , Announces Tour Dates

The Cool Kids rapper Sir Michael Rocks released his highly anticipated debut solo album, Banco, on July 29th. After being premiered by  The AV Club, the album saw a quick rise to the #1 spot on iTunes’ hip-hop charts, also reaching the top spot on Billboard‘s HeatSeekers chart. Banco showcases Sir Michael at his most musically inventive. It’s an eccentric album complete with animal, video game, and pop culture references targeted to the “always-on” generation.

Sir Michael Rocks has been featured in video interviews with MTV,  in which he speaks about his breaking into an aquarium for his “Fuck SeaWorld” video, and Revolt TV, where he talks about the title of the album and asks people what “Banco” means to them. Additionally, top sites such as Complex, The FADER, Hypetrak, Noisey, and XXL have highlighted Rocks with interviews and new music posts. He recently hosted a Q&A session on Twitter, which made him a national trending topic. In addition to writing a hilarious Buzzfeed article discussing wild animals that would make great pets, Rocks has created a Spotify playlist of the music that acted as in inspiration for Banco. For those that have heard the album, the eclectic playlist will come as no surprise, with songs ranging from Pokémon and Final Fantasy video game tracks to trap singles by Gucci Mane and Lil B, thrown in with some classics by Usher and Twista.

Banco contains features from artists Too $hort, Mac Miller, Twista, Iamsu, Trinidad James, Casey Veggies, Robb Bank$, Pouya, Chuck Inglish, as well as production by DJ Mustard. Sir Michael Rocks continues to work on putting out music, including plans to reunite with Chuck Inglish for the long-awaited Shark Week, which will be the first album The Cool Kids have released since 2011’s When Fish Ride Bicycles. Be sure to catch Sir Michael Rocks on his fall tour, see dates below.

“The 15-track full-length, titled Banco, sees the Cool Kid rapper taking a matured approach to his music, hitting us with overloads of symbolism and personal philosophies.” – Hard Knock TV

“Following the release of several mix-tapes that showcased Rocks’ personality, this new solo album expands on his wide range of rap style.” – Liberty Voice

“If you were a fan of The Cool Kids’ fun hints of ’90s era boom bap and crisp lyricism you’ll want to give his first solo debut album, Banco, a listen…From his cover art to his visuals, Sir Michael Rocks has kicked his art into high gear.” – HipHopDX

“Sir Michael Rocks raps over some psychedelic beats that no other rapper would touch in recent memory.” – SmoothWaves

“Banco is the most essential component to Sir Michael’s ongoing solo catalogue, as he continues his efforts to establish his own identity aside the shadows of The Cool Kids success.”– XXL Magazine

#1 on iTunes Hip-Hop charts
#1 on Billboard‘s Heatseekers Albums
#13 on Billboard‘s Rap Albums
#21 on Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

Fall Tour Dates

Midwest dates w/ Robb Bank$, Pouya, and Shorty K

Friday, Sept 19th – Iowa City, IA – Blue Moose Tap House
Saturday, Sept 20th, Minneapolis, MN – Mill City Nights
Sunday, Sept 21st – Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room
Monday, Sept 22nd – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club
Tuesday, Sept 23rd – Lansing, MI – The Loft
Wednesday, Sept 24th – Pontiac, MI – Pike Room at the Crofoot
Thursday, Sept 25th – Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop

West Coast dates (support tbd)

Tuesday, Oct, 7th – Orange County, CA – Constellation Room
Wednesday, Oct 8th – Los Angeles, CA – Los Globos
Thursday, Oct 9th – San Francisco, CA – Leo’s
Saturday, Oct 11th – Portland, OR – Peter’s Room
Sunday, Oct 12th – Seattle, WA – Vera Project

Stream Banco: https://soundcloud.com/sirmichaelrocks/sets/sir-michael-rocks-banco_avclub

Purchase Banco: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/banco/id890674144

Listen to Sir Michael Rocks’ Album Inspiration Playlist: https://play.spotify.com/user/sirmichaelrocks/playlist/1hruYwfFYoYBX2hDt4bG8S

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Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Sir Michael Rocks

Sir Michael Rocks Background:

Sir Michael Rocks has always been a little ahead of his time, a little more original than his peers, a little bit more creative. As a teenager, he started making music under the name Mikey Rocks as one half of groundbreaking duo The Cool Kids. Formed over the Internet and powered by a strong grassroots fanbase online, the group helped redefine the image of rap for the Internet era with an effortlessly cool throwback style and an iconic, laid-back fashion sense. Rechristening himself as Sir Michael Rocks in 2011, the restlessly creative artist, now based in Miami after time spent in Chicago and LA, has been pushing the boundaries of rap originality even further in recent years with a string of popular, critically acclaimed mixtapes. His debut solo album, Banco, is available now.

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Links:

official site | twitter | facebook | instagram | youtube | soundcloud

Purchase Banco: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/banco/id890674144

Banco Inspiration Playlist: https://play.spotify.com/user/sirmichaelrocks/playlist/1hruYwfFYoYBX2hDt4bG8S

Banco: https://soundcloud.com/sirmichaelrocks/sets/sir-michael-rocks-banco_avclub

“Bussin” (SAiNT x STEZUS Remix): https://soundcloud.com/sirmichaelrocks/bussin-remix-feat-casey-veggies-saint-stezus-remix

“Bussin”: https://soundcloud.com/sirmichaelrocks/smr-bussin-16bit-cd-bounce-1/

“Playstation 1.5”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C6wHdr-ao8

“Memo” (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fXR76qjlSY

“Memo”: https://soundcloud.com/sirmichaelrocks/memo

Bio, pictures and streams available here: http://www.audibletreats.com/sir-michael-rocks/