Tank and the Bangas: Honoring Their New Orleans Roots and New Music

Tank and the Bangas have maintained a deep connection to their New Orleans origins, integrating the city’s unique cultural landscape into a sound that has traveled globally. The group’s foundation was built within the city’s open mic circuit, a space where live instrumentation, performance art, and poetry converged.

Lead singer Tarriona Tank Ball developed her vocal style in these environments, while her bandmates—currently consisting of Devin Trusclair, T33ny, Rob Kellner, and Norman Spence—created a complementary sonic backdrop. The collective first formed in 2011 after meeting at the Liberation Lounge in Algiers, located on the West Bank of New Orleans.

Career Milestones and Artistic Evolution

The group released Think Tank in 2013, two years after their initial meeting. Their trajectory shifted significantly in 2017 when they won the NPR Tiny Desk Contest. This victory was driven by a viral performance of their song Quick, which brought the band national attention and a growing fanbase.

This momentum led to a series of critical recognitions. In 2020, the band received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. They continued to earn accolades with nominations for Best Global Music Performance in 2024 and Best Progressive R&B Album in 2023.

The group’s versatility is reflected in their blend of hip-hop, soul, jazz, and poetry. This experimental approach recently culminated in the release of The Heart, The Mind, The Soul, a project that earned them a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.

Upcoming Releases and Tour Dates

Tank and the Bangas are currently preparing to conclude a musical trilogy that began with Green Balloon and continued with Red Balloon. The final installment, The Last Balloon, is scheduled for release on May 15, 2026, through Verve Records.

The band has already released a lead single from the upcoming album titled Move, which features Lucky Daye. To support the new record, The Last Balloon Tour is set to begin on May 2, 2026.

The tour itinerary includes performances in several major cities, including:

• New York
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Atlanta
• Houston
• San Francisco
• Washington, D.C.

Returning to New Orleans Roots

As they prepare for their new album, the group is revisiting their home city through a stripped-down performance series titled Poetry on a Porch. This pop-up event focuses on the writing and vocals of Tarriona Ball, emphasizing the group’s connection to the 504 area code.

The first edition of the Poetry on a Porch series took place on April 11, 2026, in New Orleans.

This return to their roots follows a significant appearance at the 2024 Essence Festival of Culture. On July 7, 2024, the band performed on the main stage of the Superdome, marking a major milestone compared to their previous appearances at the festival, which had been limited to miniconcerts in the venue’s corridors.

For the group, these performances serve as a tribute to the city that provided their start. Their catalog continues to evolve, with key tracks ranging from the 2017 hit Quick and 2019’s Nice Things to more recent works like No ID and Stolen Fruit from 2022.