Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician.
Rotimi Alakija, better known as DJ Xclusive, is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer and recording artist.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who is known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a prominent voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is blend of Afrobeats, afropop, R&B, afrobeat reggae, dancehall, and pop. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, 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 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".
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. Superstar 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.
The discography of Wizkid, a Nigerian Afrobeats singer, consists of five studio albums, two EPs, fifty-three singles, forty-four promotional singles, sixteen guest appearances, six cameo appearances and thirty-five music videos. Wizkid started his music career at age 11, releasing a seven-track collaborative album with Glorious Five entitled Lil Prinz. Wizkid garnered notoriety when he collaborated with Naeto C, Ikechukwu, M.I and Kel. He signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009. From 2009 through 2011, Wizkid worked on materials for his debut album Superstar (2011). Superstar was supported by the singles "Love My Baby", "Pakurumo", "Tease Me/Bad Guys", "Don't Dull" and "Holla at Your Boy".
"Tease Me/Bad Guys" is a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid, released on 2 April 2010. It serves as the second single from his debut album, Superstar (2011), and was produced by Samklef. Its music video features cameo appearances from Skales, Samklef, D'Prince, Ice Prince, M.I, Jesse Jagz, ELDee, Dr SID, Wande Coal and Banky W.
R&BW is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Banky W. It was released by Empire Mates Entertainment on 14 February 2013, coinciding with Valentine's Day. 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". R&BW 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.
Empire Mates Entertainment is a Nigerian record label founded by Banky W and Tunde Demuren in 2002. It was home to recording artists such as Wellington himself and Niyola. DJ Xclusive was the label's official DJ. 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. 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. 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. In 2021, Banky W revived the record label, after dropping couple of singles alongside his Wife, who drop her debut single in 2022.
"Baddest Boy" is a song by E.M.E acts Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W. Released on April 5, 2012, it serves as the lead single from the label's compilation album, Empire Mates State of Mind (2012). A leaked version of the song, featuring vocals from Wizkid and Skales, surfaced on the internet prior to its official release. OkayAfrica described "Baddest Boy" as a "banger with synths that resemble a heavily screwed “Akpako Master”. The song was produced by the record producing duo Legendury Beatz.
The 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 8th edition of the ceremony. It was held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York and hosted by Basketmouth.
Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, better known by his stage name Skales, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He relocated to Lagos and signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009.
Eniola Akinbo, known professionally as Niyola, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, performing artist and Actress.
Oluwaseyi Akerele, popularly known as Shizzi, is a Nigerian platinum record producer, disk jockey and songwriter.
Ayo is the self-titled second studio album by Nigerian singer Wizkid. It was released on 17 September 2014, by Starboy Entertainment and Empire Mates Entertainment. Ayo was postponed twice due to difficulty in track selection. Preceding its release were the singles "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay" and "Show You the Money". The album also contains the song "Ojuelegba", which won Song of the Year and was nominated for Best Pop Single at The Headies 2015. Wizkid enlisted Sarz, Shizzi, Uhuru, Del B, Dokta Frabz, Maleek Berry, Legendury Beatz and Spellz to produce the album. Ayo features collaborations with Femi Kuti, Seyi Shay, Yemi Sax, Akon, Banky W., Phyno, Tyga and Wale. It received mixed reviews from music critics; some commended its production, song arrangement and sound quality, while others panned its lyrics.
Kemi Adetiba is a Nigerian filmmaker, television director and music video director, whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Sound City TV, BET and Netflix.
Legendury Beatz is a Nigerian record producing and songwriting duo, composed of siblings Uzezi Oniko and Okiemute Oniko. Their production style is deeply rooted in afrobeats as well as in several other genres, including hip hop, reggae fusion, moombahton and electro house.
Osabuohien Osaretin, better known by his stage name Sarz, is a Nigerian record producer, mixing engineer and musician. Born in Benin City, Edo State, he is popularly known for the tag Sarz On The Beat/"Really", at the beginning or end of all his music productions.
Sunday Ginikachukwu Nweke, known professionally as Masterkraft, is a Nigerian record producer, disc jockey, band director, pianist, and songwriter. He started his professional music career with Kennis Music, and has worked with artists such as Flavour N'abania, Bracket, Banky W., Sound Sultan, Timaya, Lynxxx, M.I and J. Martins, among others. His production hits include "Fine Lady" by Lynxxx, "Kwarikwa (Remix)" by Flavour N'abania, "Girl" by Bracket, "Chinny Baby" by Flavour N'abania, and "Jasi" by Banky W, among others.
Shadrach Adeboye Folarin, professionally referred to as Shaydee, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and vocalist. In 2015, Shaydee was listed on notJustOk's list of "15 Artists to Watch in 2015". He is best known for his hit single titled "Won Gbo Mi", featuring vocal appearance from Wizkid.
Marcel Larry Akunwata popularly known as Blaisebeatz or Blaise Beats, is a Nigerian record producer, and songwriter. He rose to stardom in 2020 with, the production hit "Pami" by DJ Tunez. His other production hits includes "Enjoy" by Tekno, "Sinner", "It Is What It Is", and "Mercy" by Adekunle Gold, "Call Me Every Day" by Chris Brown, "Buga" by Kizz Daniel, and "No Wahala" by 1da Banton. In 2022, he won the Afro Highlife Producer Of The Year and Afro Dancehall Producer Of The Year category at The Beatz Awards.
