Even cancer couldn’t stop him…

The newest Nigerian export Banky W aka Mr Capable is not only a great singer, he’s also got that gentlemanly swagger that makes ladies swoon. Banky W (Olubankole Wellington) whose hit songs Strong Ting and Lagos Party have garnered a fair amount airplay on local stations, has always known music was his destiny.

At the tender age of 10, Banky wowed his church audience with his vocals when he stood in for a choir member who had bowed out at the last minute. There has been no looking back since for singer who, though born in the States, moved back to Nigeria at the age of five.

Sitrong ting’

Growing up in Nigeria saw him sample traditional music that he now fuses with his urban style. At the age of 16, Banky earned an American college scholarship and while holding down two jobs completed a degree in engineering and started his own label Empire Mate$ Entertainment aided by two close friends. His first venture saw him release the LP Undeniable which apart from pushing at local American stations and performing in colleges was sold from the boot of his car.

His entrepreneurial spirit caught the attention of FOX TV who interviewed the young upstart and the publicity gained him a distribution deal. While this may have been the start of great things, it almost did not happen when a cancerous tumour was discovered on his left shoulder. He had to undergo a second operation when the tumour grew back. Soon after, Banky, undeterred, began work on his second album Back in the Buildin.

The album featured the song My Regret which won him the highly coveted song-writing award from the John Lennon Foundation. He has since gone on to win other awards including the Urban Independent Music Award for R&B/Soul and The Nigerian Entertainment Award. He has performed across the world and recently dropped