Empire Mates Entertainment

Last updated

Empire Mates Entertainment
Empire Mates Entertainment logo.jpg
Founded2002;21 years ago (2002)
Founder
Defunct2018;5 years ago (2018)
StatusInactive
Distributor(s)Self-distributed
GenreVarious
Location Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Empire Mates Entertainment (abbreviated as E.M.E) is a Nigerian record label founded by Banky W and Tunde Demuren in 2002. [1] It was home to recording artists such as Wellington himself and Niyola. DJ Xclusive was the label's official DJ. [2] Wizkid, Skales and Shaydee were all formerly signed to the label. Producers associated with the label include Masterkraft, Jay Sleek, Cobhams Asuquo, Spellz and Samklef, among others. On 18 June 2012, the label released its compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind . [3] 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. [2] [4] Banky W announced in February 2018 that E.M.E was dissolved as a record label; he said the label is now a talent management company focused on creative marketing, advertising, PR and brand events. [5] In 2021, Banky W revived the record label, after dropping couple of singles alongside his Wife, who drop her debut single in 2022.

Contents

History

Banky W and Tunde Demuren founded the record label in Albany, New York in 2002. During an interview with Beverly Bryan of MTV Iggy, Banky W shed light on the formulation of E.M.E. He said he started the label while studying at a local university in Albany. He also said he made money from singing to patrons of hair and nail salons in New York. [6] In 2008, Banky W established E.M.E in Lagos after relocating there. He signed Wizkid and Skales to the label in 2009. DJ Xclusive, Shaydee and Niyola were all signed to the label in 2012. [7] In an interview with Toolz on Ndani TV's The Juice, Banky W spoke about the signing process for each artist on the label. He said he signed Niyola after hearing her sing in the bathroom at his sister's wedding. He also said he signed Shaydee after the singer opened for him at a show in Ilorin. Wizkid and Skales' record deals with E.M.E came as a result of their musical exposure. [8]

Departures

Wizkid

In February 2013, Wizkid tweeted a subliminal message and tweaked his Twitter account. [9] [10] He also moved out of the E.M.E mansion in Lagos and acquired his own home in the Lekki Phase 1 area. [10] Prior to Wizkid's subliminal tweets, Banky W pacified fans by assuring them that nothing was amiss. It was reported that troubles within E.M.E started as early as the E.M.E All Stars concert in 2012. [10] On 30 April 2013, Wizkid and E.M.E reunited after contract negotiations. [11] In the aforementioned interview on The Juice, Banky W said the dispute between himself and Wizkid was not as violent as people made it out to seem. [8] [12] Wizkid left the label following the release of his second studio album Ayo and expiration of his 5-year contract. [13]

Skales and Shaydee

In February 2014, Skales parted ways with E.M.E following the expiration of his contract. According to various news outlets, Skales and E.M.E agreed to part ways. [14] In May 2017, Shaydee announced his exit from E.M.E following the expiration of his recording contract. [15]

Accolades

E.M.E was nominated for Best Record Label of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards. [16]

YearAwards ceremonyAward description(s)Results
2013 City People Entertainment Awards Best Record Label of the YearNominated

Artists

Artists still signed to the label when it dissolved

ActYear signedReleases
under the label
Banky W 20025
Niyola [17] 20120

Former artists

ActYear signedReleases
under the label
Wizkid 20092
Skales 0
Shaydee [18] 20121

Discography

YearInformation
2003Banky W. - Undeniable (EP)
  • Released:2003
  • Singles:
  • Certification:
2005Banky W - Back in the Building
  • Released:2005
  • Singles: "My Regret"
  • Certification:
2008Banky W - Mr Capable
  • Released:2008
  • Singles:
  • Certification:
2009Banky W - The W Experience
  • Released:2009
  • Singles:"Strong Ting", "Feeling It"
  • Certification:
2011Wizkid - Superstar
2012Empire Mates Entertainment - Empire Mates State of Mind
  • Released: 18 June 2012
  • Singles: "Baddest Boy", "Dance for Me", "Get Down Tonight", "Ko Mo Le", "Sun Mo Mi", "Don't Delay Me (Don't Go There)", "Change"
  • Certification:
2013Banky W - R&BW
  • Released:14 February 2013
  • Singles:"Yes/No", "Good Good Loving"
  • Certification:
2014Wizkid - Ayo
  • Released: 17 September 2014
  • Singles: "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay", "Show You The Money"
  • Certification:
2016 Shaydee - Rhythm and Life
  • Released: 25 November 2016
  • Singles: "Pon Da Floor", "High"
  • Certification:

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Xclusive</span> Musical artist

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizkid</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter (born 1990)

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. A prominent figure in the modern-day Afrobeats music scene, Wizkid is regarded as one of the biggest and most influential African artists of all time. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five (5), a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He later rose to the limelight after releasing "Holla at Your Boy", the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull".

<i>Superstar</i> (Wizkid album) 2011 studio album by Wizkid

Superstar is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Wizkid. It was released by Empire Mates Entertainment on June 12, 2011. The album's production was handled by Samklef, E-Kelly, Jay Sleek, Shizzi, DJ Klem, Masterkraft, Q-Beats, Banky W and Vebee. It features collaborations with Wande Coal, D'Prince, Banky W and Skales. The album was supported by the singles "Holla at Your Boy", "Tease Me/Bad Guys", "Don't Dull", "Love My Baby", "Pakurumo", and "Oluwa Lo Ni". It is the second best selling album on NotJustOk and was the most highly anticipated Nigerian album of 2011.

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<i>R&BW</i> 2013 studio album by Banky W

R&BW is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Banky W. It was released on 14 February 2013, by Empire Mates Entertainment. The album was supported by the singles "Yes/No", which peaked at number 1 on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Afrobeat chart, and "Good Good Loving". The album features guest appearances from Camp Mulla, ELDee, Sarkodie, Sammy, Shaydee, Skales, Lynxxx, Niyola, M.I, 2Face Idibia, Rotimi and Vector. Its production was handled by Banky W, Cobhams Asuquo, Masterkraft, M.I, Spellz, Sarz and Samklef.

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References

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