I
am Bankole Wellington but fans call me Banky Warrior or Banky W. I’m a
singer and record label owner (Empire Mate Entertainment). I was born in
the United States to Nigerian parents. My family moved back to Nigeria
when I was five years old. After secondary education in Nigeria, I moved
back to the US on a college scholarship, where I earned a degree in
Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While still in
college, I won the Albany Idol Competition and that set the stage for my
career in music.
Entertainment in Nigeria
We
are doing quite well and we have come a long way but we have a long way
to go and in terms of marketing music. We have the ‘show’ part but we
need to work on the business part. Nigeria is one of the only places in
the world where royalties are not paid by radio and TV stations. These
people make use of music to run their businesses and make revenue from
advertising but don’t pay us.
Me and artistes
For
the ones on my label, I oversee their musical projects and I position
them as brands. We do a lot of strategic thinking, planning and
negotiations too.
A day in my life
I
wake up, pray and I work out with my trainer, Uzi. He is Ikechukwu’s
younger brother and he is trying to get me into shape so that I can look
like Peter of P Square! After training, I’m back home, shower and try
to get a healthy meal. I like chicken breast and sea food a lot. What I
do after the morning ritual varies. I have many activities to attend to
and in the evenings, after dinner, I watch an Arsenal game before I
retire to bed.
Leisure
How
and where I hang out depends on the day, sometimes there are events
where I have to attend the after-party. Sometimes, I just feel like
letting loose and hanging out a bit. At other times, I may be too tired
to do so because of my busy schedule.
Dislikes
I
hate photo shoots! Photoshoots are annoying to me, the whole process of
standing there, posing and doing other random things. However, I
realise that I have no choice in the matter, pictures are necessary;
people have to see the artiste and connect with his image. Also, the
pictures would be needed for CD covers and press publications. I try to
limit them and I only do photoshoots when I have a new album coming out.
At such times, I would take a lot of different shots that will last for
a year or two so they don’t have to disturb me again. But I love video
shoot because I feel I can play a role; I feel as if I am almost acting.
Style
Style
is just an expression of who you are and how you are feeling; it is how
you want to present yourself to the general public. Comfort influences
my style. Even if I am wearing a suit, I have to be comfortable in it
and it has to fit properly. I wear a lot of traditional outfits these
days because I love the way they make one feel free. Style is all about
you presenting yourself in a way you want people to treat you. If you
present yourself like a rascal, people will react to you accordingly.
But if you have money like Bill Gates, then you can afford to come out
looking unkempt and it would not matter to anybody how you look.
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