Celebrity Profile - Banky W

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

Early life and career beginnings

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 the 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 still studying. After moving to Nigeria in 2009, he established the label in Lagos. 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.

2012–2013: R&BW

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, Waje and more. The first two singles from the album are "Lowkey" and "Yes/No"

Personal life

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

Discography

Albums

2003: Undeniable (EP)2005: Back in the Building2008: Mr. Capable2009: The W Experience2013: R&BW

Compilation albums

2012: Empire Mates State of Mind

Singles

2013 Jasi2014 Jaiye Orimi2015 High Notes2015 All I Want Is You Feat. Chidinma2015 Cash Only As featured artiste2016 Made for You2016 Onyeuwaoma As featured artiste2016 Mi Re Do (Cocoloso) Feat. Stonebwoy and Shaydee

Filmography

The Wedding Party (2016)The Wedding Party 2 (2017)

Other collaborations

In 2017, Banky W took part in the initialing of a monumental heirloom, the Philosophers Legacy