Nigerian singer Banky W is on the verge of restructuring the music label he co-founded Empire Mate Entertainment (EME). According to Banky the record label had been dissolved since January 2017, as it is to venture into other business platform.
Banky w said that EME’s business venture will now be marketing, advertising, public relations, branding, shooting of television commercials and documentaries. It will also continue to produce and make music as it is not shutting down that aspect entirely.
Eme has operated for nine years and it could be said it has been successful as it has found and nurture many great stars today. EME was once home to Wizkid, Skales, Niyola and Shaydee.
Speaking on an interview, Banky W named DJ Xclusive, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru, and Adesua Etomi as the first set of clients of the rebranded company.
The wedding party star said
“Essentially we have restructured our business and instead of operating just as a record label, we have expanded and changed our focus a bit.
We are now a full-fledged media agency that focuses on creative marketing, advertising, PR, brand events/activations and a talent management firm. This switch in focus has been amazing and fulfilling. Behind the scenes, we have been able to impact the launching and marketing of a number of brands and companies the way we did artists but even in the talent management side, we are no longer restricted to working with just music artistes. We still work with musicians, but we also work with OAPs, actors and are evaluating sports management as well.
The goal was always to find talents and brands we believe in, and partner with them to help them become more successful. Now we have expanded to do that for more than just the music business. We are excited about our client portfolio: the corporate brands we rep, as well as the talents. At the moment our clients are DJ Xclusive, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru, and Adesua Etomi and of course yours truly Mr. W (and a few cooperate brands as well)”.
With all this, can we say Banky W has find a new love?
EME was founded by Banky W and his best friend, Tunde Demuren in 2002 while they were at the university in New York.
Wizkid reportedly parted ways with EME in February 2013, to start his own label Starboy, which he claimed the reason he left was out of cheating that the brand was exhorting much funds from him.
Although unprofessional, it is a regular practice in the Nigeria’s music business for artistes to dump their record labels once they record commercial success.
