Banky W’s EME record label transitions

The label, which will be remembered for bringing Wizkid to fame, took its first steps in Banky W’s dorm room at a university in New York. Along with friend Tunde Demuren, Banky W thought about the company partly as vehicle for his own ambitions.

“The reason we used the word ‘empire’ was because Tunde and I were crazy enough to dream that we could build a company that would eventually become an empire,” Banky W said.

“One that would serve as the launching pad for not only my career goals in music, movies and other interests but one that would also serve as a stepping stone for other talents to become more successful and achieve their goals as well.”

Within years, the company found success in Banky W’s own solo career – especially with his sophomore Mr Capable – and then with Wizkid's first album, 2011’s Superstar.

In 2012, the label released a compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind featuring its artists including Wizkid, Skales, Niyola, Shaydee and Banky W himself. The label’s official DJ, DJ Xclusive, also makes an appearance as does rapper XO Senavoe. State of Mind was also well received.

A year later, the label’s marquee artist, Wizkid, departed to start his own label, Starboy, and within a few years none of the singing artists on the label’s compilation album, except Banky, remained on the EME label.

“Essentially we have restructured our business and instead of operating just as a record label, we have expanded and changed our focus a bit,” Banky said.

“We are now a full fledged media agency that focuses on creative marketing, advertising, PR, brand events/activations and a talent management firm.”

“Even in the talent management side, we are no longer restricted to working with just music artists. We still work with musicians but we also work with OAPs, actors and are evaluating sports management as well.”

Banky W’s 2005 album Back in the Buildin’ started EME’s run as a record label. His 2017 album Songs About U, released following his wedding to the actress Adesua Etomi, ended its run. It is unclear if his future albums will be released under the label.

“For a simple reference,” he said, “it’s kind of like how Jay went from Rocafella to Roc Nation. Just same name, new targets.”