We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rosalind “Haze” Banks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rosalind “Haze”, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was in 2015, when I made the decision to quit my stable job and pursue music full-time. At the time, all I had was passion, raw talent, and a belief that I could build something bigger than the life I was settling for. But walking away from steady income and security was a real gamble. Especially knowing I’d have to create opportunities for myself from scratch.

To survive, I threw myself into audio engineering and daily beat sales. I left home for months at a time, living out of different studios so I could fully immerse myself in the craft. My days and nights blended together. I’d be up working until 2 p.m. the next day. Not because I had to, but because I was committed to becoming great at what I did.

Those long nights and sacrifices paid off. After a few years, I partnered with other creatives and became a co-owner of a record label and studio. That risk of leaving everything comfortable behind, taught me that betting on myself is always worth it. It set the foundation for the career I have today and opened doors I never would’ve reached if I had played it safe.

Rosalind “Haze”, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Rosalind ‘Haze’ Banks — a Grammy-nominated artist, audio engineer, and creative entrepreneur from Virginia. Music has been part of my life since childhood through chorus and playing trumpet, but I truly entered the industry in 2015 when I took the leap to leave my full-time job and pursue music with everything I had. That risk led me into audio engineering, producing daily, and eventually co-owning a record label and building my own studio from the ground up.

Today, I’m the CEO of Studio 106, where I provide artists with recording, mixing, mastering, production, artist development, videography, creative direction, and custom merch. I created the studio to be more than a place to record, it’s a full creative hub designed to help artists grow, get guidance, and walk out with industry-ready work.

What sets me apart is the mix of my experiences: being an artist myself, having engineering expertise, and understanding the long-term vision behind every project. I don’t just press record, I help artists shape their sound, build confidence, and reach their next level.

After recovering from a major accident in 2023 and rebuilding everything from scratch, I’m most proud of the resilience and purpose behind my brand. Studio 106 stands for authenticity, growth, and quality. I want potential clients and supporters to know that every project I touch is rooted in passion and a genuine commitment to helping artists tell their stories and elevate their careers.”

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely. The core mission driving my creative journey is to empower artists. Especially those who come from places where resources and guidance are limited. I want to create spaces and systems that help people unlock their talent, build confidence, and actually turn their creativity into something real and sustainable.

My goal is bigger than just engineering songs or creating content. I’m building a legacy that gives artists the support I didn’t always have: a studio that feels safe, inspiring, and professional; development tools that help them grow; and a brand that pushes them to think long-term about their music and their careers.

Everything I do is from my own artistry to Studio 106 to mentoring new talent is rooted in helping others elevate. My mission is to leave a long-lasting impact on the culture by creating opportunities, sharing knowledge, and using my creativity to uplift not only myself, but my entire community.”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist and creative is the impact. There’s nothing like taking something that started in your mind, an emotion, a melody, a concept, and turning it into something that inspires or helps someone else. Seeing people connect to my work, grow in my studio, or gain confidence because of something I created is the real payoff.

I also love the freedom. Creativity lets me express myself without limits and constantly reinvent who I am. Every song I make, every session I engineer, every visual I create becomes another piece of my story and my legacy.

But the biggest reward is watching others elevate because of the environment and opportunities I’ve built. Helping an artist walk in unsure and walk out proud of their sound. That feeling never gets old. That’s what keeps me going.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazebanks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hazebanks
• Twitter: https://x.com/hazebanks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/Hazebanks

Image Credits

Haze Banks