Today we’d like to introduce you to Banks Nelson.
Hi Banks , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Banks, Aka OptiMystic Banks. I was a conscious hip-hop artist from the age of 16 to 23, as part of the underground hiphop group The Sophisticats. We did songs with KRS ONE, Chino XL and Juice just to name a few. Then I quit doing music to peruse a career in sales. 10 years later (2021) at the age of 33 I had a near death experience that changed my life forever. Shortly after that I began having mystical experiences and discovered I had psychic abilities. Then I lost everything. Addicted to drugs, no friends, no gf, no house, no job. I began my dark night of the soul. A transformation. I analyzed myself and the decisions I made thru out my life. I healed and for the first time understood what self love was. I began making music again and got clean. I started a podcast to document my spiritual awakening and it slowly became more of a self help podcast with a mystic flair. This inevitably lead to me offering 1 on 1 mystic guidance and therapy. Simultaneously, I was pumping out music like never before! In 2024 I released my first two albums, The Magician, and The Star, as my new persona OptiMystic Banks. I am currently working on my third album THE LOVERS, release date May 26 2025.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Never a smooth road to becoming the truest version of you. I literally had to lose everything to understand my true value and the value of people places and things. To understand how I was always on the right path even when I went astray. I discovered that all roads lead to the same place— self discovery
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most proud of my message in my music. It’s optimistic, spiritual and deep. True conscious music! I truly express my own vulnerability thru my music because I know this is how I can be an example of true love and freedom. Teaching people about themselves thru my art and helping them realize a higher potential is my favorite thing to do
What’s next?
I’m looking forward to building a community of artists and mystics. I’ve never truly fit in, just like many of my fans and followers, and I’ve come to understand that is because we are meant to create our own tribe. Im a humanitarian at heart who uses creativity to teach. And thats what I intend to keep doing. Helping people remember who they truly are
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