Olubankole Wellington (born 27 March 1981), popularly known by his stage name Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician.

Early life

Olubankole Wellington was born in the United States on 27 March, 1981 to Nigerian parents. His family returned to Nigeria when he was five years old. He began singing at a young age in his church choir.

Education

Wellington schooled in Lagos for his primary and secondary education and returned to further his tertiary education at

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute () (RPI) is a private research university in Troy, New York, with an additional campus in Hartford, Connecticut. A third campus in Groton, Connecticut closed in 2018. RPI was established in 1824 by Stephen Van ...

, New York, US on a scholarship. He started the record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2002 while studying. He also worked at GlobalSpec. In 2009, he left the US for Nigeria and established his record label in Lagos by signing artists like Niyola, Shaydee, Skales , and Wizkid to the label. He released a début studio album, ''Back in the Building'', in 2005. His début single was Ebute Metta He wrote the first theme song of Etisalat Nigeria titled "0809ja for life".

Career

2012–2013: ''R&BW''

The day after Valentine's Day of 2013, Wellington launched his new album "R&BW" with a concert tagged the "Grand Love Concert" at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos, which featured several other artistes including Iyanya and Waje. The first two singles from the album are "Lowkey" and " Yes/No".

2017: Dissolution of E.M.E

Wellington announced in February 2018 that E.M.E was being dissolved as a record label; he said the label would move forward as a talent management company focused on creative marketing, advertising, PR and brand events. Wellington named DJ Xclusive, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tolu 'Toolz' Oniru, and his wife Adesua Etomi as the first set of clients of the rebranded company.

Other collaborations

In 2017, Wellington took part in initialing of a monumental collaboration art piece, '' Iyasile Naa'' also known as The Legacy.

Political career

On 11 November 2018, Wellington announced his intent to run for the Lagos' Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria's House of Representatives, on the platform of Modern Democratic Party, formed in 2017. On 23 February 2019, Wellington lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress. Ahead of 2023 general election, Wellington announced that he had decamped from the Modern Democratic Party to the Peoples Democratic Party, seeking the party's ticket to again vie for the Lagos' Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria's House of Representatives. In June 2022, Banky W won the Peoples Democratic Party ticket to contest as the party bearer for the Eti Osa constituency ahead of the 2023 election.

Personal life

Wellington married Adesua Etomi traditionally on 19 November 2017; the couple subsequently had their white wedding performed in South Africa on 25 November 2017. He had a successful skin cancer surgery on his shoulder in 2017. In early 2021, Wellington and Adesua had a son. They kept the pregnancy a secret, catching many off guard on news of the baby's arrival.

Discography

Albums

;Studio albums * ''Back in the Building'' (2006) * ''Mr. Capable'' (2008) * ''The W Experience'' (2009) *' ' R&BW'' (2013) ;EPs * ''Undeniable'' (2003) ;Playlists * 2017: ''Songs About U'' (2017)

Compilation albums

* '' Empire Mates State of Mind'' (2012)

Selected singles

* 2013: "Jasi" * 2014: "Jaiye Orimi" * 2015: "High Notes" * 2015: "All I Want Is You" feat.

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Filmography

* '' The Wedding Party'' (2016) * '' The Wedding Party 2'' (2017) * '' Up North '' (2018) * '' Sugar Rush '' (2019)

Awards and nominations

* John Lennon Song Writing Award 2006, R&B Category, for 'My Regret’ * Best R&B Artiste, Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2006 * Best Male R&B Artiste, 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, Hip hop World Awards 2009 for 'Don't Break My Heart’ * R&B Single of the year, 2010 Hip Hop World Awards for 'Strong Ting’ * Best R&B Singer (Male) and Best Music Video 2010 City People Entertainment Awards

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Banky, W. 1981 births Living people 21st-century African-American male singers 21st-century Nigerian male actors 21st-century Nigerian male singers American emigrants to Nigeria American people of Yoruba descent Nigerian actor-politicians Nigerian entertainment industry businesspeople Nigerian hip hop singers Nigerian male film actors Nigerian male singer-songwriters Nigerian male rappers Nigerian music industry executives Nigerian politicians Nigerian rhythm and blues singer-songwriters Yoruba male actors Yoruba politicians English-language singers from Nigeria Yoruba-language singers Musicians from Lagos People from New York (state) Politicians from Lagos Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni The Headies winners