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.