Olubankole Wellington, born on the 27th of March, 1981 and popularly known as Banky W, is a Nigerian Singer, Rapper, Actor and Politician. He is an American born-Nigerian R&B Music Artist.
His father is from Badagry while his beautiful mother is from Calabar, Cross River State. Banky W moved back to Nigeria when he was five years old and stayed for twelve years before going back.
The talented singer is married to Adesuwa Etomi, a Nigerian actress and movie producer.
Early Life and Music Career
Banky W was born in the United States of America to Nigerian parents. His family moved back to Nigeria when he clocked five years old and started singing at a tender age in his church choir.
He attended Corana School Lagos for his primary education and attended Home Science Association Secondary School and Ajao Secondary School in Lagos as well for his secondary education.
He later returned back to the States for his tertiary education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York on a scholarship award. Banky started his record label E.M.E in 2002 while still studying.
When he was in junior year in RPI, he started writing, producing and frequently going to the studio in order to release a song while in the USA.
In 2009, he left the US for Nigeria to establish his record label in Lagos where he signed music artists like Niyola, Shaydee, Skales and Wizkid to the label as at that time. He wrote the first theme song of Etisalat Nigeria titled ‘0809ja for life’.
In February 2018, Banky W announced that E.M.E was dissolved as a record label; he said the label is now a talent management company focused on creative marketing, advertising, PR, and brand events.
He named DJ Xclusive, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru and his wife Adesua Etomi as the first set of clients of the re-branded company.
Banky W starred in block buster movies such as, ‘The Wedding Party’ in 2016, ‘The Wedding Party 2’ in 2017 and ‘Up North’ in 2018.
Banky W Political Career
In November 2018, Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, representing on the platform of Modern Democratic Party which was formed in 2017.
In the 2019 General Elections, Banky W lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Banky W Personal Life
Banky W got married to Adesua Etomi traditionally on the 19th of November, 2017 and subsequently had his court and white wedding the same month. The couple had their white wedding in Cape Town, South Africa.
Banky had a successful skin cancer surgery on his shoulder in 2017.
Banky W Awards and Nominations
. John Lennon Song Writing Award R&B Category for ‘My Regret’ in 2006
. Best R&B Artist, Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2006
. Best Male R&B Artist, Urban Independent Music Awards, USA, 2006
. Best International Album, Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2007 for ‘Mr. Capable’
. Best R&B Video, Nigerian Music Video Awards 2008 for ‘Don’t Break My Heart’
. Best Male Vocal Performance, HipHop World Awards 2009 for ‘Don’t Break My Heart’
. R&B Single of the year, 2010 HipHop World Awards for ‘Strong Thing’
. Best R&B Male Singer and Best Music Video 2010 City People Entertainment Awards
Source(s): Wikipedia
Last.fm
The Informant Spy
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