Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian-American singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician.
Panshak Henry Zamani, better known as Ice Prince Zamani or just Ice Prince, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after releasing "Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed songs of all time. He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His debut studio album Everybody Loves Ice Prince was released in 2011. It was supported by three singles: "Oleku", "Superstar" and "Juju". In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio album. The album contained the singles "Aboki", "More", "Gimme Dat" and "I Swear". On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the vice president of Chocolate City. He held the position until he left the label in 2016. He has collaborated with top African rappers like Navio of Uganda, Khaligraph Jones of Kenya, AKA of South Africa, Sarkodie of Ghana among others.
Everybody Loves Ice Prince is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It was released by Chocolate City on October 9, 2011. The album's production was primarily handled by Jesse Jagz, along with additional production from M.I Abaga, Wizboyy, E Kelly, Samklef and Chopstix. It features collaborations with Brymo, Wizkid, 2 Face Idibia, Jesse Jagz, M.I, Yung L, J-Milla, Samklef, Wizboyy, Morell and Sean Tero. The album was supported by the singles "Oleku", "Superstar" and "Juju". E.L.I is a mixture of hip hop, R&B, dancehall, raga, Afrobeats, reggae, highlife and soul.
The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is a 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".
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.
"Holla at Your Boy" is a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid. It was officially released on 2 January 2010 and serves as the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011). The song was produced by DJ Klem and Vebee.
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.
Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer Jesse Jagz. It was released by Jagz Nation on July 10, 2013. The album was primarily produced by Jesse Jagz, along with additional production from Shady Bizniz, Kid Konnect, GuiltyBeatz and Samklef. It has eighteen tracks and features collaborations with 9ice, Wizkid, Brymo, James Maverik and Lindsey Abudei. Musically, Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is a hip hop and ragga record that incorporates elements of dancehall music. It was supported by the singles "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who characterized it as a "tour de force" and praised its production.
Empire Mates Entertainment was 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.
Empire Mates State of Mind is a compilation album by musicians of Nigerian record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). It was released by the label on 18 June 2012. The album's production was handled by Legendury Beatz, Sarz, Masterkraft, Cobhams Asuquo, Kid Konnect and Spellz. Empire Mates State of Mind features collaborations with X.O Senavoe, Rotimi and Basketmouth. It produced seven singles—"Baddest Boy", "Dance for Me", "Get Down Tonight", "Ko Mo Le", "Sun Mo Mi", "Don't Delay Me " and "Change".
"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.
YBNL is the second studio album by Nigerian musician Olamide. It was released by YBNL Nation on November 12, 2012. A follow-up to his debut studio album, Rapsodi (2011), YBNL features from Kayswitch, Tiwa Savage, Dammy Krane, Davido, Kida Kudz, and Reminisce and Base One, among others. Its production was handled by Pheelz, Samklef, I.D Cabasa, 2Kriss and Tyrone. YBNL was supported by the singles "Ilefo Illuminati", "First of All", "Stupid Love" and "Voice of the Street".
The 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 7th edition of the ceremony. The event was held on September 2, 2012 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York City. The event was hosted by Funke Akindele and Ayo Makun. Winners included Wizkid, Davido, Don Jazzy and Tineh Tempah.
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.
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.
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.
"Emergency" is a song recorded by Nigerian record producer WizzyPro for his debut studio album, Lord of the Sounds (2016). It was released on 2 November 2013 and features vocal appearances from Nigerian musicians Patoranking, Runtown and Skales. While each artist solely wrote their own respective verse, WizzyPro served as the track's executive producer.
Quality is the debut studio album of Nigerian rapper and songwriter CDQ. It was released on 22 August 2016 through General Records. The album's release was preceded by six singles including "Nowo E Soke" which won Best Afro Hip-Hop Video at the 2016 Nigeria Music Video Awards; "Indomie (Remix)" and "Gbemisaya" which were added as bonus songs.
