Popular Nigerian singer, Olubankole Wellington, well known as Banky W has revealed why the star artiste, Wizkid, left his record label, Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) in 2014.
The singer was responding to a question on a radio programme hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu on his (Banky W’s) relationship with Wizkid and their fallout.
The 41-year-old singer who is a co-founder of the EME, had signed Starboy in 2009 where he released the classic popular song, “Superstar” in 2011.
Banky W said it was a communication gap as well as Wizkid’s desire to move further on his own that led to their misunderstanding,
He said, “In terms of when he stopped being on the label, it was lack of communication that caused this war. At the time I think he had started to dream bigger and just wanna be in control of his own shape, of his own destiny, and there was a lot of chatter going around; people saying this, saying that.
“And I remember I called him one day and said let’s talk. And he came and we gisted (sic). I said ‘I’ve been hearing many things and me and you are in this kind of relationship in which we just talk, so tell me what you want. If you want to be off the label, I’m not the kind of person that will prevent you or sue you, I know some labels have done similar things.’
“He said he wanted to set up on his own outfit, EME was great for him and he was grateful, but he wants to kind of go to the next level, doing it in his own way.
“And I said no problem, if you want to go, you’ll leave with my blessings and I will never try and force you or say you must stay with us.”
Wizkid was in February, 2021 the most-streamed Nigerian artist of all time on Spotify, with over 3.4 billion streams.
He has also been in the limelight this year after he was nominated in the Best Global Music Album and the Best Global Music Performance categories in the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for his Made in Lagos Deluxe Edition and “Essence” respectively.
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