3rd February, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
Bankole Wellington, also known as Banky W, a Nigerian singer and music executive, has disclosed the true story behind how he came to discover his former signee, Wizkid.
Contrary to popular belief that he found the ‘Ojuelegba’ star on social media, Banky W clarified that he encountered Wizkid in the studio.
He clarified that a tweet from Wizkid asking for a chance was merely a joke, as he had already signed Wizkid by then, and their online exchange was just playful banter.
In a viral video message, Banky W, now a pastor, encouraged fans to trust in God and their benefactors while remaining industrious.
He emphasized the importance of being engaged in productive activities when opportunities arise.
Setting the record straight, Banky W recounted that he discovered Wizkid while he was actively working.
He stumbled upon Wizkid’s music while scouting for unsigned talent and was impressed.
He said, “Let God and the helper that he would use find you doing something. For some people, God will only find you tweeting.
“Just a few days ago, I noticed my Twitter was going crazy. And I went on and I discovered that people found an old tweet from Wizkid where he said, ‘Hey, Mr Banky, my name is Wizkid. I’m upcoming artiste. Please, I need you to help me.’ And then they found a reply that I said, ‘Okay, please send me your demo.’
“And people were pointing to that as the inception of the moment where Wizkid and I started working together. And I hate to burst everybody’s bobble, but that moment was just a joke.
“We have actually been working together for about a year. He has been signed, we have been making music and releasing music. We were just being playful at the time when those tweets were sent.
“I didn’t find Wizkid from him tweeting, I found him while he was working. I heard his music when I was just listening to a bunch of unsigned artists.
“Before he even started working with me, he had already recorded a chorus with M.I. The very first day I saw Wiz in person, we was a back-up singer for Kellz at an event. He was faithfully serving as Kellz’s hypeman.”
I didn't find wizkid from him tweeting, I found him while he was working — Banky W
pic.twitter.com/gAkuIqKHeh— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) February 3, 2024
Banky W‘s association with Wizkid dates back to 2009 when he signed him to his label, Empire Mates Entertainment.
Wizkid’s breakout came with the release of his debut studio album, ‘Superstar’, featuring the hit single “Holla at Your Boy”. Subsequently, Wizkid left EME after his second album, ‘Ayo’, was released in 2014.