Olubankole Wellington

Birth Name: Olubankole Wellington

Stage Name: Banky W

Birth Date: March 27, 1981

Occupation(s): Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor, Politician

Genre: Afrobeat, R&B

Years Active: 2002 till date

Record Label: Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E)

 

Personal Life

Olubankole Wellington is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and politician who was born on March 27, 1981. He moved to Nigeria with his family when he was five and completed his primary and secondary education in Lagos. He later went back to continue his tertiary education on scholarship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, where he studied Industrial Engineering.

Career

While still studying, he started ‘Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E)’ a record label in 2002. He later moved the record label down to Lagos in 2008 where he signed music stars like Wizkid, Niyola, Shaydee, and Skales. Producers like Masterkraft, Jaysleek, Cobhams Asuquo have also been linked to his record label. He released his breakthrough debut album ‘Back in the Building’ in 2005.

In 2018, Banky announced that E.M.E was dissolved as a record label and is now a talent management company that is focused on creative marketing, advertising, PR, and brand events.

As an actor, he has appeared in movies like The Wedding Party 1&2, Up North and Sugar Rush.

As a politician, he participated in elections to represent Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives but he lost to Babajide Obanikoro.

Albums

2013 – R&BW

2009 – The W Experience

2008 – Mr. Capable

2006 – Back in the Building

Awards

2016 – The Urban Marketplace, Artist of the Year

2015 – Awesome Awards, Music Entrepreneur of the Year

2013 – The Headies, Best R&B Single

2011 – Future Awards, Musician of the Year

2011 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Most Gifted R&B Video (Male)

2010 – Sound City Music Video Awards, Best Music Video (Male)

2010 – Sound City Music Video Awards, Best R&B Singer

2010 – City People Entertainment Awards, R&B Singer of the Year

2010 – Hip Hop World Awards, R&B Single of the Year

2008 – Hip Hop Awards, Best Male Vocal Performance

2008 – Nigerian Music Video Awards, Best R&B Video

2007 – Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Best International Single of the Year

2006 – Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Best R&B Artist

Marriage

Banky W got married to Adesua Etomi in February 2017. They had their traditional marriage on November 19, court wedding on November 20, and white wedding in November 2017. On February 23, 2021, the couple announced that they welcomed their first child, Zaiah Wellington, four weeks prior.