Oluwabankole Wellington popularly known by his stage name Banky W is a Nigerian actor, singer, song writer and performer.
Background
Banky W was born in to Nigerian parents on the 27th of March, 1981 to Nigerian parents in the United States thus giving him dual citizenship in The US and in Nigeria. His family moved back to Nigeria when he was just 5 and by the time he 8 he had joined his church choir. He attended Corona School for his primary education and Home Science Association Secondary School for his secondary education but went back to New York for his tertiary education. He studied Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on scholarship. He participated and won a music competition- Albany Idol while still in school.
Music Career
He co-founded the record label E.M.E in 2002 while still studying at New York and when he relocated to Nigeria in 2009 he established the label in Lagos. He signed artists like Niyola, Shaydee, Skales and Wizkid to the label. Although most of them eventually left or had their contracts expired.
He his debut studio album Back in the Building in 2005. The album which was supported by the award winning track My Regret was a huge success and pushed him father into limelight. He released his second album Mr Capable in 2008 and released another album The W Experience in 2009.
In 2013 he released the album R&BW with the top charting singles Yes/No and Lowkey.
Banky W has also shown that he is passionate about giving back to the society, he launched ‘I Am Capable’- a scholarship fund that is aimed at providing tertiary scholarships to students who are smart and serious minded.
Banky W is a brand ambassador for Samsung and Ciroc.
Read Also: Full Biography and Net Worth of Seyi Shay
Awards
Wins
- John Lennon Song Writing Award 2006, R&B Category, for ‘My Regret’
- Best R&B Artiste at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2006
- Best Male R&B Artiste at the Urban Independent Music Awards, USA in 2006
- Best International Album at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2007
- Best R&B Video at the Nigerian Music Video Awards in 2008
- Best Male Vocal Performance at the Hip hop World Awards in 2009
- R&B Single of the yearat the Hip Hop World Awards in 2010
- Best R&B Singer (Male) at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2010
- Best Music Video award at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2010
Nominations
- Best R&B/Pop Album award at the Hiphop World Awards in 2009
- Hiphop World Revelation in 2009
- Best Pop/R&B award at the Soundcity Music Video Awards in 2009
- Best Male Video award at the Soundcity Music Video Awards in 2009
- Best R&B Singer award at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2009
- Musician of the Year award at the Future Awards in 2009
- Best International Artiste award at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2009
- Recording of the Year award at the Hip Hop World Awards in 2010
- Best Vocal Performance (Male) award at the Hip Hop World Awards in 2010
- Musician of the Year award at the Future Awards in 2010
- Artiste of the Year award at the Dynamix Awards in 2010
- African Artiste of the Year award at the KORA Awards in 2010
- Best Music Video at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2010
- Best R&B Act award at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2010
Net Worth
Banky W’s net worth is estimated to be N2.3 billion
