Even so, it's hard to separate the art from the artist, and it's impossible not to feel somewhat apprehensive about Banks. A truly divisive character, she's so rightly confident in her music that it's easy to push it aside and judge her solely on actions alone. But in an industry where male artists like Kanye West are lionized for being as outspoken, Banks gets the short straw. It's unfairly clear that she's marginalized because of her gender, something she's personally bemoaned, and she has to work harder than any of her peers to get the respect she admittedly deserves.
And if anything, her Coachella set -- for those in attendance, at least -- proved her worth. Hip-hop needs Azealia Banks. After a clunky rendition of "Nude Beach a Go-Go," a confounding inclusion on her album and her performances, she left with the sparky "212," the tongue-twisting anthem that put her on the map. The crowd went wild -- more than for anyone at the festival so far. Banks surely has her issues, but she reaches full potential when she lets them go.
