How about starting your week with this motivational story from Banky W.
Many see the glamour but are
ignorant of the hard work and pains that preceded the fame of Nigeria’s rhythm
and blues, R&B, superstar, Banky W. From an undergraduate begging for
audience at salons in the United States, US, where his musical career started,
32-year-old Banky has built a musical empire that has produced internationally
acclaimed artistes like Skales and Wizkid.
Christened Olubankole Wellington,
the Empire Mates Entertainment –EME- boss was born in the US to Nigerian
parents who later relocated to Nigeria when he was five.
It was after studying
at the Home Science Association Secondary School, Lagos that he moved to New
York to study industrial engineering on scholarship. With several albums to his
credit, the manifold award-winner shares his story.
Starting small
His appearance bellies his
personality and generally gives the illusion of a young man with a history
devoid of sweat. But no, Banky did not only pay his due but also mastered
certain principles which he wouldn’t forget in haste.
“One of such is to think big but
start small”, he said.
“Everybody knows me to be the Chief
Executive Officer, CEO, of EME, but what people do not know is that EME started
when I was in my third year in university in New York. You see, we all dream
dreams, but it is important to think very big and start where you are because
God never gives you everything but gives you enough to start. At that time, I
knew I wanted to do music, but of course I understood nobody starts by selling
a million CDs or the big screen!”, Banky stated.
Menial jobs
Indeed his tale solidifies his emphasis on little beginning because to achieve his dream of becoming a music superstar, Banky had to take up to three jobs while also in university!
Indeed his tale solidifies his emphasis on little beginning because to achieve his dream of becoming a music superstar, Banky had to take up to three jobs while also in university!
He said: “I worked in fast foods
outlets, clothing stores and as a knife salesman, selling knives from door to
door. That way, I gathered money to pay for studio recording time. I was
recording with a close friend at that time.
Begging at saloons
“After making that music, we printed a thousand CDs though we didn’t have any fan. I had one battered car that broke down virtually everywhere, so, we would print black and white posters, stick them on the sides of the car, sell from the car’s trunk and drive to salons to do marketing.
“After making that music, we printed a thousand CDs though we didn’t have any fan. I had one battered car that broke down virtually everywhere, so, we would print black and white posters, stick them on the sides of the car, sell from the car’s trunk and drive to salons to do marketing.
We would walk to the
owners of the salons, greet politely, and ask them to let us entertain their
customers. Sometimes, some would kick us out and sometimes some would say yes.
If told yes, after singing for a minute or two, we would sell our CDs to the
customers! That was the beginning!
- vanguard
Many
see the glamour but are ignorant of the hard work and pains that
preceded the fame of Nigeria’s rhythm and blues, R&B, superstar,
Banky W. From an undergraduate begging for audience at salons in the
United States, US, where his musical career started, 32-year-old Banky
has built a musical empire that has produced internationally acclaimed
artistes like Skales and Wizkid. Christened Olubankole Wellington, the
Empire Mates Entertainment –EME- boss was born in the US to Nigerian
parents who later relocated to Nigeria when he was five. It was after
studying at the Home Science Association Secondary School, Lagos that he
moved to New York to study industrial engineering on scholarship. With
several albums to his credit, the manifold award-winner shares his
story. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/bankys-grass-grace-story-begged-sell-cds-us-salons-survive/#sthash.lzwuzrgB.dpuf
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