‘I left Banky W’s record label with nothing’ – Singer Wizkid reveals

In a revealing throwback interview, internationally acclaimed music star Wizkid shared insights into his early career challenges and his eventual departure from Banky W’s record label, Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).

The Nigerian artist disclosed that he left the label broke, a reality many artists in the music industry can resonate with.

Wizkid, born Ayodeji Balogun, signed with EME in 2009. Under the guidance of Banky W, he released his debut album, Superstar, in 2011.

The album, featuring hits like “Holla at Your Boy” and “Pakurumo,” catapulted Wizkid into the spotlight, establishing him as a leading figure in the Nigerian music scene and beyond.

Despite the success of Superstar, Wizkid’s journey to global stardom was far from smooth.

His candid reflections highlight the financial and personal challenges many artists face when navigating the complexities of the music industry.

Despite his success, Wizkid explained in an interview that leaving EME was tough. He remarked, “I was Wizkid, I had to leave EME record label with Zero Naira. Everybody knows the story.”

This news arrives during a scandal involving Dapper Records. Recently, Shallipopi ended his contract with the label and accused them of mishandling finances. Additionally, Dapper Records is facing criticism for taking 30% of the royalties from their signed artists.