Celebrating fashion: He is no doubt one of the most stylish artistes in Africa. So, it is no surprise that Banky W will headline the biggest fashion awards in Kampala. Isaac Ssejjombwe writes.
Best known as Banky W, Wellington Olubankole is a Nigerian musician born in the US to Nigerian parents. At five years, he was moved back to Lagos, Nigeria and started his music career in a church choir at eight years.
After completing secondary school at Home Science Association Secondary School, he moved to New York to attend college on a scholarship. He graduated with a degree in Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Banky W has five albums; The first, titled Undeniable, was released in 2003. Back in the Building, his first RnB/Soul album came in 2005 and it hadd the award-winning song My Regret.
The album also won him several accolades such as US Songwriting Award, 2006 Nigerian Entertainment Award – RnB/Soul Artiste of the Year and 2007 International Single of the Year. Banky W followed this with the prestigious worldwide John Lennon Songwriting Award in the RnB category as well.
His next album Mr Capable came in 2008 after settling in Nigeria. His aim was to expose African music to the world. This happened when he garnered more than a million plays on MySpace, thousands of views on YouTube and on Facebook, where the fan page has more than 447,705 registered fans, and is growing at about 500 new fans per week.
The W Experience album was released in 2009 and it became a strong contender for the best album of 2009/2010 in Africa. It featured production from Nigeria’s most sought-after talents, and showcases Banky W’s combination of global RnB/pop with African rhythms to create an entirely unique and impressive sound.
The 15-track album featured collaborations from Interscope-signed artiste, Verse Simmonds, Wiz Kid and Skales.
The release of Banky W’s last album R&BW came a day after Valentine 2013 with a concert dubbed “The Grand Love Concert” in Lagos. It featured several other artistes, including Iyanya, Waje and many more. The first two singles from the album, Lowkey and Yes/No received rave reviews.
Tonight he will tonight grace the Abryanz Fashion and Style Awards at Kampala Serena Hotel (AFSAs).
According to Bryan Ahumuza, Banky was chosen as the main act because of his sense of style.
“He is fashionable and has class. We had to get an artiste who matches with the glamour and can easily fit in our cause. Whether he is dressing for the red carpet or in his music videos, Banky W is always on point,” Ahumuza remarked.
Unlike the previous year, this time the ASFAS will have continental stars, including Vera Sidika from Kenya, Sauti Sol, and Big Brother hotshot Tayo Faniran as well as Lina Sanga, an artiste from Tanzania. Asked if it was not costly flying in these stars, Ahumuza said leaving a legacy is the main intention. “We want to leave a legacy not only in Uganda but the entire continent. It cost us a fortune, but it is worth it.”
According to Douglas Lwanga, the NTV The Beat presenter, who won the best dressed male TV personality last year, the awards are the best in the country, not only in fashion but music too.
“It is only at these awards that people who emerge winners deserve to win”.
Tickets
General: 100k, VIP: Shs3m,
VVIP Shs5m..