Olubankole Wellington, also known as Banky W, is a multi-talented Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur, and politician. He is also the creator and proprietor of the Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) Talent Management Company, previously known as the EME record label.
The artist has become well-known in Nigeria and across the world as a result of his successful songs. Heaven, Till My Dying, Whatchu Doing Tonight, and Good Good Loving are just a few of his well-known songs.
Table of Content hide
1Biography
2Career
3Songs
4Albums
5Movies
6Awards
7Politics
8Family
9Net worth
10Conclusion
Biography
Banky W was born on March 27, 1981, in the United States to Nigerian parents. When he was five years old, his family returned to Nigeria. He began singing in his church choir at an early age. Banky W was born to Mr and Mrs Wellington. His father hails from Badagry in Lagos, while his mother hails from Calabar, Cross River State. He has four siblings, three brothers, and a sister.
Wellington received his primary and secondary education in Lagos before returning to the United States on a scholarship to pursue his tertiary education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. While still in school, he founded Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), a record label.
Career
He was employed with GlobalSpec. In 2009, he moved to Nigeria and founded his record label in Lagos, where he signed artists such as Niyola, Shaydee, Skales, andWizkid. Back in the Building, his debut studio album, was released in 2005. Ebute Metta was his first single. He wrote Etisalat Nigeria’s initial theme song, 0809ja for life.
Banky W debuted his new album R&BW the day after Valentine’s Day in 2013 with a concert dubbed the Grand Love Concert at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos, which also included Iyanya and Waje. Lowkey and Yes/No are the album’s first two singles.
Wellington announced in February 2018 that EME would cease to exist as a record label and that the company would instead focus on creative marketing, advertising, public relations, and brand events. DJ Xclusive,Ebuka Obi-Uchendu,Tolu’ Toolz’ Oniru, and his wife Adesua Etomi were announced as Wellington’s relaunched company’s first clients.
Banky W is a multi-talented man who has been in MNet TV shows like Jacob’s Cross and MTV’s Shuga, as well as other blockbuster Nigerian films. He aspires to know everything there is to know about onions and to excel at what he does.
This led him to the New York Film Academy, where he studied filmmaking and screenwriting while honing his acting and production skills. Since then, he’s produced and directed many music videos and television commercials. He had a leading role in the blockbuster film The Wedding Party in 2016. The wedding reception shattered box office records.
Banky W has collaborated with reputable brands and taken part in several corporate marketing campaigns, including Etisalat’s 0809ja Launch, Coca-Cola, Airtel, Microsoft, TomTom, Samsung, MTN, and others. He is a Samsung, Uber, and Ciroc Vodka brand ambassador.
The multi-talented singer, producer, and motivational speaker is also an exceptional MC. He has delivered inspiring and powerful talks at high-profile events such as the London Business School’s Africa Summit, TEDxLagos, and WIMBIZ. Banky W has also hosted many notable events, including the Gulder Ultimate Search Celebrity Show Launch, One Africa Music Fest, and others that are too numerous to list.
In addition to all his achievements, Banky W pastors at The Water Brook Church. He is also the founder of the Sooyah Bistro, a restaurant that deals in Suya menus.
Songs
Banky W has released many songs. Some of his songs are:
- Heaven
- Made For You
- Final Say
- Love Baby
- All I Want is You
- Whatchu Doing Tonight
- Lagos Party
- Jasi
- Blessing Me
- Gidi Love
- Don’t Break My Heart
- Good Good Loving
- Yes/No
- Jaiye Orimi
- Selense
Albums
- Back in the Building (2006)
- Mr Capable (2008)
- The W Experience (2013)
Movies
Aside from music, the singer has also dabbled in acting. He has appeared in the films listed below:
- The Return of Jenifa
- Sugar Rush
- The Wedding Party
- The Wedding Party 2
- Up North
Awards
The amazing vocalist has won multiple awards for his outstanding performance and unrivaled talent in the music world. Among the awards he has received are the following:
- John Lennon Songwriting Award, R&B category, 2006.
- Nigerian Entertainment Awards, Best R&B Artiste, 2006.
- Urban Independent Music Awards, Best Male R&B Artiste, 2006.
- Nigerian Entertainment Awards, Best International Album, 2007.
- Nigerian Music Video Awards, Best R&B Video, 2008.
- Hip Hop World Awards, Best Male Vocal Performance, 2009.
- Hip Hop World Awards, R&B single of the Year, 2010.
- City People Entertainment Awards, Best R&B singer (male), 2010.
- City People Entertainment Awards, Best Music Video, 2010.
Politics
Banky W announced his intention to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives on the Modern Democratic Party’s platform, founded in 2017.
He was defeated by Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency elections on February 23, 2019.
Banky W declared his defection from the Modern Democratic Party to the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2023 general election, seeking the party’s ticket to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives. The election sparked some controversy because. While counting the votes, it was captured on a video that he had won the party’s ticket; however, when the results were announced, his name was not among the candidates that won the election. His fans and well-wishers took to social media to complain about the situation and how the political system in the country is corrupt.
Family
Banky W married Adesua Etomi in a traditional ceremony on November 19, 2017, and the couple held their white wedding on November 25, 2017, in South Africa. In 2017, he underwent successful skin cancer surgery on his shoulder. Wellington and Adesua welcomed a son in early 2021. They kept the pregnancy a secret, which surprised many people when the child was born.
Net worth
Banky W is one of Nigeria’s wealthiest musicians. Over the years, his career and income have gradually increased. As of 2022, his net worth is estimated to be N3.74 billion ($9m).
Conclusion
Banky W is a multi-talented Nigerian singer, actor, and entrepreneur. In all of his professional and entrepreneurial endeavours, he exemplifies hard work, perseverance, and discipline. In Nigeria, he is a source of inspiration for both upcoming and veteran entertainers.
