Corey L. Banks

Corey Lawrence Banks (born April 9, 1970), is an American rapper and songwriter, currently performing under the name Corey Drumz. When he emerged from the late 1980s Hollis, Queens Hip hop scene, Banks was known professionally as CeStyle. In 1991 he co-founded the group Total Pack with Kamal B Wize.

Early life and family Banks grew up in Hollis, Queens during the 1970s and 1980s. His father was Larry Banks, later writing and producing music under his own name, with one-time wife and singer Bessie Banks, and with later wife and singer Joan Bates (Jaibi). Among many other songs, Larry Banks co-wrote the song "Go Now", initially performed by Bessie Banks and later that same year launching the career of The Moody Blues as their first single. Larry Banks also co-wrote songs that he recorded with Jaibi, including You Got Me and It Was Like a Nightmare. Larry Banks and Jaibi married in 1965 and in 1970 parented son Corey L. Banks.

Rounding out the Banks family entertainment business connections, Larry Banks also had a son with singer and actress Mabel King Later is his career, Corey's father Larry Banks worked for RCA Records and maintained a recording studio, where young Corey remembers seeing Burt Bacharach in Jamaica, Queens. At 15 years old, Banks appeared as CeStyle the Mic Murderer on early DJ Irv tape, Jamaica Park Tape Volume One, including original raps over the songs "Impeach the President" by the Honey Drippers and "Risin' to the Top" by Keni Burke. and Wildman Steve (WBAU) Hip hop radio shows. On September 27, 1992, Total Pack performed in the "Hip Hop Showcase" at New York City music club CBGB.

In a 2010 interview Banks said, "Stretch and Bobbito gave us our first shot, beyond just being local, and I've always had the utmost respect towards them for that. They gave us an open door. We didn't need to call ahead or anything. If we wanted to go to the station all we had to do was show up and we were always added to whatever they happened to be doing that night." In early 1993, Total Pack was signed to Columbia Records. At that time, the group was briefly managed by Sandy Griffin and later by MC Serch, who also was managing Nas, another Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show regular who had recently signed to Columbia. When the Columbia deal collapsed a year later, Banks and Wize parted ways. and "Freak the Notes" have circulated in the underground.

In 1994 Banks signed, without Wize, with Wild Pitch Records, under the CeStyle and Total Pack names. For the Wild Pitch project, Banks worked again with producer Charlie Morotta. The song "What's the Deal" was about Banks's recent experiences in the music business. ), partnering with Hollis crew Eguan, Legacy, and others. The Korp released a handful of songs in association with Stretch Armstrong and Dolo Records, including appearances on the Armstrong compilations Lesson 1 (1997) and Lesson 2 (1998). The Korp also had a 12" single release through Plasma Records. Prince Po, MC Shan, Grand Daddy I.U., Kangol Kid, Mr Cheeks, and Grand Wizzard Theodore.

Banks released one self-produced album under the name CeStyle, Amnesia. He later changed his performing name to Corey Drumz, and for a period circa 2004, to IKEBoy of Iron Klad Entertainment. and the songs "Soul’d Off" (2020) and "Purple" (2021).

Corey Banks continues to work as a musical artist and is currently living in Los Angeles, California.