15 quick facts about Banky W as he celebrates his 35th birthday

Today, March 27, 2016, Nigerian R&B singer and E.M.E music executive, Olubankole Wellington otherwise called Banky W is a year older.

And to celebrate his 35th birthday, we bring you some quick facts you should know about the R&B star.

• Banky was born in the United States to Nigerian parents, who later moved back to Lagos Nigeria when he was five years old where he began singing in his church choir at the age of 8.

READ: Banky W to celebrate 35th birthday at Quilox pool party today!

• In the year 2002, he started his record label ‘Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.)’ as a platform to get his music to his fans and began work on an EP.

• In addition to establishing a record label, Banky W, Segun Demuren and Tunde Demuren established a production house, a publishing company known as Muzik Men Publishing, and a charity foundation known as the I-AM-CAPABLE Charity Foundation.

• On February 19, 2014, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Skales parted ways with E.M.E following the expiration of his contract.

READ: Skales opens up on EME exit, controversy and new label signing

• Wizkid also left the label following the release of his second studio album and expiration of his 5 year contract.

• The label is currently home to recording artists such as Wellington himself, Shaydee, Niyola and DJ Xclusive.

• He along with Sasha P were the first official ambassadors of Samsung electronics in Nigeria. He is a brand ambassador for Ciroc, ultra-premium vodka.

• In 2003, he released his first EP ‘Undeniable’ which was the first release on his jointly owned E.M.E Records.

READ: I want to take some time off music to get married – Banky W

• In 2005 he released his first album, Back in the Building, which had the award-winning song ‘My Regret’.

• In 2008 he moved to Nigeria after the completion of his ‘then’ highly anticipated album ‘Mr Capable’

• In December 2009, Banky W dropped his much anticipated third album in Nigeria, ‘The W Experience’ which was a strong contender for the best album of 2009/2010 in Africa.

• A day after Valentine of 2013, he launched the album ‘R&BW’ with a concert tagged the ‘The Grand Love Concert’ at the Civic Centre in Lagos which featured several other artistes including Iyanya, Waje and more.

Also Checkout: Wizkid and Skales’ birthday shout-outs to Banky W last year

• Banky W is also published writer, as articles from his blog (bankyw.blogspot.com.ng) have been featured in numerous Nigerian newspapers, magazines and websites.

• He’s also on the board of trustees of the ‘LightupNigeria’ Project, which is focused on achieving constant electrical power supply in Nigeria, as well as various other charitable society building and empowering projects.

• Last but not least, he is an accomplished Master of Ceremonies/Host, as he has successfully anchored numerous high profile events such as The Headies (2009) and more.