Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon popularly known by the stage name Reekado Banks is a Nigerian singer-songwriter who began his music career in 2008. In 2014, he signed an endorsement deal with the Mavin Records. Currently, Reekado Banks is an award-winning Nigerian musician and he is a unique talented singer.
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Reekado Banks Early Life
Reekado Banks was born on December 6, 1993 in Lagos, Nigeria. He hails from Ondo state. His father is a Pastor, his mother, a caterer, and he was born as the last child of the family. He began his music career in 2008 after the left secondary school. Reekado then attended the University of Lagos (Unilag) graduating with a degree in History and Strategic Studies.
Reekado Banks grew up listening to different genres of music and subsequently fell in love with the melodies of rhythm and blues. At age 15, he started writing songs in a book. His elder brother, Temi discovered this book and took interest in him. Temi, who was an artist manager began to guide and train him on how to write, sing and produce songs. Then, Banks began his career fully and was supported by his family and friends who saw a great potential in him.
In 2013, greatness beckoned on Reekado Banks when Temi, his elder brother submitted some of his songs without his consent to Marvin Records, in an online talent search organised by the record label. His songs attracted the label founder, Don Jazzy and Reekado was singled out of over 5,000 entries in the contest.
Mavin Records
Don Jazzy in the contest picked interest in Reekado Banks and Reekado signed a deal with the record label in 2014, along with Korede Bello and Dija. Until the deal, he went by the stage name Spicy.
Under Mavin Records, he released his first official single titled Turn it Up featuring Tiwa Savage in February 2014. Few months later, he also featured in the song Dorobucci, Adaobi, Arise and Looku Looku alongside other artists like Korede Bello, Dr SID, Tiwa Savage, Di’ja, D’Prince and Don Jazzy.
On Feb. 13 2015, he released a hit single Katapot produced by Don Jazzy, the head of the Marvin Records label. Under this same label, he also released numerous songs like Sugar Baby, Easy Jeje, Blessings On Me e.t.c until he left the label in 2018.
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Banks Music
In December 2018, Reekado Banks left Mavin Records, and unveiled his own record label, Banks Music. Although there was a public uproar as to why he left the label that brought him to stardom but Reekado on his instagram page, cleared the air saying leaving Mavin Records was a bold step that will avail him with bigger opportunities.
Spotlight Album
Banks released his debut studio album titled Spotlight on August 31, 2016 under the Mavin Records. The album was produced by Don Jazzy, Babyfresh and Altims. It featured collaborations with Sarkodie, D’Prince, Vanessa Mdee, Falz the Bahd Guy and Patoranking. The 21-track album received positive reviews and charted top on itunes less than 24-hours after it was released. According to research, spotlight album is one of the highest selling in the World Album Category. Similarly, it debuted at number 10 on the Billboard World Albums chat.
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Reekado Banks Songs
Some of his songs include;
- Turn It Up ft Tiwa Savage, 2014
- Dorobucci with Don Jazzy Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, D’Prince, Korede Bello and Dija, 2014
- Ada Obi with Don Jazzy, Korede Bello, and Di’ja, 2014
- Chop Am, 2014
- Arise with Don Jazzy and Di’ja, 2014
- Looku Looku with Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, D’Prince, Korede Bello and Di’ja, 2014
- Katapot, 2015
- Corner, 2015
- Sugar Baby, 2015
- Tomorrow, 2015
- Koloba, 2016
- Oluwa Ni, 2016
- Standard, 2016
- Hey Stranger, 2016
- Na Your Boy, 2016
- Dangote, 2016
- Move, 2016
- Ladies and Gentlemen, 2016
- Easy (Jeje), 2017
- Kiss Me, 2017
- Like with Tiwa Savage and Fiokee, 2017
- Pull Up, 2018
- Bio Bio ft Duncan Mighty, 2018
- Blessings On Me, 2018
- Maria, 2019
- Yawa, 2019
Awards And Recognition
As a talented singer, below are some of the awards he won as a result of his musical works.
- Rookie of The Year, The Headies Award, 2014
- Next Rated Award, The Headies, 2015
- Video of the Year “Katapot”, Headies Awards, 2015
- Most promising act Of The Year Award (Male), City people entertainment awards, 2015
- Revelation of the Year, Top Naija Music Award, 2015
- Best Album, Headies Awards, 2016
- Revelation Of The Year, Headies Awards, 2017
- Hip hop World Revelation of the Year, The Headies Award, 2018
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Reekado Banks Net Worth
According to Tophits.ng as at July 2019, Reekado Banks’ net worth is estimated at $2 million. In July 2015, he signed an endorsement deal with Globacom worth millions of naira along with other musicians.
Reekado Banks Quotes
“Enjoy yourself, so that when you remember that moment you will smile.”
“If you just stay positive and have a little faith, your story too will change for the better.”
“Being nice is a blessing.”
“Don’t let your society limit you.”
“The easier you take life, the easier it’ll become.”
“Its only normal, stop overthinking.”
“Write your DREAMS down in caps lock, so when you read it, it’s loud.”
“There is no rules to living ones life, as long as you are not disturbing anyone.”
“Everyone is chanced but some people have more chances.”
”If there was no need for money, this life would have been sweeter.”
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Entrepreneurial Lessons From The Life Of Reekado Banks
Reekado Banks is an hardworking musician who takes his time, to know what the society want before producing any music. When asked about what works for him, he said “I work hard, I believe in God and I listen to people’s advice, and that’s what keeps me going”. This is a reflection for an entrepreneur: the price of success is hard work and success is not achieved by accident. You really need to go extra mile to fulfill that business dream.
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Also, Reekado Banks is creative as evident in some of his musical videos and the way it appeals to emotions. ‘Katapot’ is a good example of how people cannot stop human progress no matter their trials. This style is different from other musicians. Also, entrepreneurs should be unique with their style in order to keep their customers anticipating for more.
Start. If you want to venture into a business, and you keep procrastinating for no just reason, now is the time to have a rethink and take the bull by the horn. From Reekado Banks’ story, we can understand that, firstly, he was discovered by his brother, as a result of the songs he wrote in his book. Then, the training phase on how to be a professional singer-song writer began. This points to the fact that what ever you want to do, you just have to start somewhere. Sooner or later, someone will discover you.
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Photo Credit: Mavin Records.com, the native mag.com, tribune online, native mag.
