Olubankole Wellington, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician popularly known as Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington.
He was born on March 27, 1981 in the United States of America (USA) to Nigerian parents. Five years after his birth, the whole family moved back to Nigeria.
His primary and secondary life were in Lagos, Nigeria.
Later, he returned to USA for his tertiary education where he studied Industrial Engineering on scholarship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York.
He has been a singer since when he was young. He sang in his church choir which herald his desire in singing and music.
In 2002, he launched his record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.) together with his friend, Tunde Demuren in Albany, New York at the same time he was studying.
He even won numerous musical competition in college back then. And in 2008, the company moved to Nigeria with her headquarter in Ikeja, Lagos.
Banky W ventured into much more businesses other than music; media, politics, acting, just to mention a few.
Lessons from the Music Icon Banky W
Let’s see some of the things we can emulate from his life and music career.
Follow Your Dream
Just like every other youth, Banky W studied Industrial Engineering at his tertiary education but alas! He wasn’t known for his engineering business, instead, he followed his dream in music, and today is a star.
In 2005, he released his breakthrough debut studio album “Back in the Building”
To follow one’s dream is just the beginning of success. Banky W might have become a terrible Engineer had he followed that path.
Not that it was a waste of time, but he might not have come to lime light today.
It doesn’t matter what you’re doing now, or where you are; what matters is where you’re going. Go where your dream takes you.
If you don’t mind reading these powerful life lessons from Cobhams Asuquo, you’ll realize that not following your dream is like committing suicide.
Select Your Company
Judging by the biography of this notable artist, Banky W, we can say he is not from a low background and trust me, a lot of people will want to be friends with this category of persons.
He wasn’t carried away by the tide of event, he sieved out his friends and choose whom to partner with in business. This is where Tunde Demuren came in.
Tunde Demuren, known for being an Instagram star was with Banky W and together founded the record label E.M.E. Banky’s friendship with Demuren is what we will term as fruitful.
In one of the inspirational life lessons from Lionel Messi, you’ll learn a fact that team work doesn’t just build the team, it builds you.
Be in the company of those that will increase your productivity, not those that helps to kill one’s passion.
Be Skillful
Trust me when I say no man is an island of knowledge. Man keeps learning every day and once you stop learning, depreciation sets in.
Banky W is well skilled in his business act, why wouldn’t you be skilled in at least one thing?
Never be Satisfied
In one of Banky W poweful quotes, he said: “In life you should never be satisfied with one achievement. The day you become satisfied with where you are is the beginning of your end”.
Not been satisfied in one’s career is not a bad thing, but an act of greater success.
When you’re thirsty for more, you do more. You work harder for a better result and you’ll realize that you have a lots of people looking up to you as role model.
Yearn for more and the end will never begin.
Be Multi-Dynamic
Multi-dynamism describes this veteran artist so well. He is good at what he does and he’s even willing to do better in more things.
Banky W as a singer and producer, some of his works are:
- Undeniable: The EP, Banky W (2003)
- Back in the building, Banky W (2005)
- Mr Capaable, Banky W (2008)
- The W Experience Banky W (2009)
- Superstar, Wizkid (2011)
- Empire Mates State of Mind (2012)
- R & BW, Banky W (2013)
- Ayo, Wizkid (2014)
- Rhythm and Life, Shaydee (2016)
- Songs about U, Banky W (2017)
Banky W as an actor featured in:
- The Wedding Party (2016)
- The Wedding Party 2 (2017)
- Up North (2018)
- Sugar Rush (2019)
Banky W as an entrepreneur dissolved his record label E.M.E. for reasons best known to him and pivoted to a talent management agency which deals with brand events, creative marketing, advertising, and PR.
Banky W as a politician contested for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives in the 2019 election, though lost to Babajide Obanikoro.
Do you say focusing your mind, soul and body on one business to ensure longevity is golden?
I sure don’t know about that. What I know is when you have the power to multitask, give it all your strength and longevity won’t be something you have to worry about.
Give Back to your Society
Banky W founded “I am Capable” scholarship fund. A foundation which provides tuition and other assistance to deserving youths in various tertiary institution in Nigeria and outside.
He is also known with other charitable such as Enough is Enough, Light Up Nigeria, Pink Oak Cancer Trust etc.
It is a good thing to always remember where you’re coming from. Banky W himself enjoyed the benefit of scholarship, and he also made such opportunity available for this generation.
In whatever you do, always remember where you’re coming from and what you want to give to people coming behind you.
Dream Big
Without mincing words, Banky W is a big dreamer. This can be seen in his numerous achievement/awards won by him.
- Best R&B Artist at Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2006
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Best International Single of the Year 2007
- Best R&B Video at Nigerian Music Video Awards 2008
- Best Male Vocal Performance at Hip Hop World Awards 2008
- R&B Single of the Year at Hip Hop World Awards 2010
- R&B Singer of the Year at City People Entertainment Awards 2010
- Best Music Video(Male) at Sound City Music Video Awards 2010
- Best R&B Singer at Sound City Music Video Awards 2010
- Most Gifted R&B Video(Male) at Channel O Music Video Awards 2011
- Musician of the Year at the Future Awards 2011
- Best R&B Single at the Headies Awards 2013
- Music Entrepreneur of the Year at Awesome Awards 2015
- Artist of the Year at The Urban Marketplace 2016
“I dreamt of becoming a singer; dreamt of owning my own record label company, and other businesses. Dreamt of being able to influence y surroundings, my city, my state, and my country through my work” – Banky W.
You might not able to achieve all your life long dreams, that is why dreaming big will enlarge your scope of the horizon and you are always in such of better things.
You should read more about these 10 practical steps to achieving your dreams easily, you’ll definitely find it useful.
Work in Collaboration
No man can do it all alone. Yes, no man, so why not work in collaboration with people of common goals.
Banky W worked together with his friend Tunde Demuren to establish E.M.E. Now, E.M.E, works together with OAP’s, Actors, brands etc and is doing excellently well.
Be self-dependent
Banky W does not have to depend on his parents to decide his path of career for him, instead, he believed in himself and achieved greatness.
You cannot achieve greatness depending on your parents or friends, only on yourself.
If at all there’s one big thing you have to achieve on your own in life, it’s being self dependent. If you rely too much on people, you’ll expect more than they can deliver.
Isn’t that a big disappointment? When you know the stuffs you’re made of, even if you need help, it will be occasionally.
Be Back Stronger
During the 2019 general election, Banky W contested for Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives but lost to Babajide Obanikoro.
Despite losing, he was able to win two polling unit in Eti-Osa. He said he was proud of himself on what he accomplished in just three months and that he’ll be back stronger than ever in four year’s time”.
In one of his quotes, he said “Falling down is inevitable but getting back up is optional. You can’t appreciate sunshine if you’ve never been through a heavy rain”
Losing the Lagos’ Eti-Osa was a heavy rain for Banky W, but he’s not taking the option of not getting back up. That should also be the mindset of every business man.
There is going to be the time of heavy rain, it is not to be wiped away by the rain but to appreciate sunshine when it comes. Always get back even stronger.
Banky W, the four man as I will refer to him has been good example to many youths of today. His lifestyle, entrepreneurial mind is topnotch. He is no doubt one of the great musicians of our time.
Embrace amazing lifestyle such as this, and boom!
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