Profile Of Olubankole Wellington, MDP House Of Reps Candidate

Banky W

Banky W

By Jennifer Okundia

Early Life and Career:
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 and politician. Banky W was born in the United States to Nigerian parents, His family moved back to Nigeria when he was five years old. He started singing at a young age in his church choir. He schooled in Lagos for his primary and secondary education and returned to further his tertiary education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York on a scholarship. He started his record label E.M.E in 2002 while studying.

In 2009, he left the US for Nigeria and established his record label in Lagos where he signed artists like Niyola, Shaydee, Skales and Wizkid to the label at the time. His breakthrough debut studio album, Back in the Building was released in 2005. He wrote the first theme song of Etisalat Nigeria titled “0809ja for life”.
A day after Valentine of 2013, he 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”.

Politics:
On November 11, 2018, Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, representing on the platform of Modern Democratic Party (MDP), formed in 2017.

Personal life:
The 37 year old got married to Adesua Etomi traditionally on 19 November 2017 and subsequently did his white wedding in South Africa on 25 November 2017. He had a successful skin cancer surgery on his shoulder in 2017.

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Albums:
2003: Undeniable (EP)
2005: Back in the Building
2008: Mr. Capable
2009: The W Experience
2013: R&BW

Compilation albums
2012: Empire Mates State of Mind

Singles:
2013 Jasi
2014 Jaiye Orimi
2015 High Notes
2015 All I Want Is You Feat. Chidinma
2015 Cash Only As featured artiste
2016 Made for You
2016 Onyeuwaoma As featured artiste
2016 Mi Re Do (Cocoloso) Feat. Stonebwoy and Shaydee

Filmography:
The Wedding Party (2016)
The Wedding Party 2 (2017)
Up North (2018)

Awards and nominations:
John Lennon Songwriting Award 2006, R&B Category, for ‘My Regret’
Best R&B Artists, 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

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