Banky W talks bachelorhood on Nollywood film soundtrack

Titled ‘Gidi Love’, the song is a mid-tempo tune about a man’s encounter with different women as he goes about looking for his ‘angel’. Modelled on the film’s unmarried central character, the song is also about the difficulty of entering into matrimony in Lagos, the commercial centre of Nigeria.

The song can also be read as personal as, on social media, Banky W, whose real name is Bankole Wellington, has been at the receiving end of queries about his single status. He addressed this on social media, writing that, “‘he can’t even post good morning on social media, without someone saying ‘yes but it will be a better morning when you marry’.”

Although ‘Gidi Love’ is perhaps an indirect allusion to the questions faced by the R&B star, he has mentioned the social media concerns on a previous song. ‘Jaiye Ori Mi’, his 2014 single sung in Yoruba and pidgin English, begins with the line, “They ask me…when you go marry?”

While urging fans to download the new song, Banky W added a few words on the regular hassling of himself and other unmarried persons.

“For too long we have been teased, harassed and tormented by society with ‘When will you marry’ and ‘when is your wedding’,” he noted. “It is getting out of hand. You don't see us going around to old people asking them ‘please when is your funeral?’”

“These days, I can't even post ‘Good morning’ on social media, without someone saying ‘yes but it will be a better morning WHEN YOU MARRY!’ It is with this in mind, that #GidiLove was created. The song is in defense of all single people in Lagos and all over the world. Some of us are just not ready. Some of us are single and searching but it hasn't worked out yet. There are others who may just not want to get married at all.

“The point is that, in the words of the great Youngskales, it's Nobody's Business. By God's grace we will get there. We will settle down with the right person and live happily ever after. But until then, pls leave us alone. Because the same people who are pressuring us and talking us into marriage, are the same people who will mock us and talk ABOUT us if the marriage ends quickly.”

'Gidi Love' may lead to an album by Banky W. The singer's last album was released in 2013. Since then he has recorded several singles including 2015's 'High Notes'.

'Gidi Blues' is now showing in Nigerian cinemas. Listen to ‘Gidi Love’ below: