For weeks now, fans have been troubled and worried about Wizkid and his ‘shaky’ relationship with his record label Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).
While some are still hoping the situation is an April Fool’s
joke that has come too early, other fans-critics have already seen the
writing on the wall and some, in a manner similar to the Mo’hits saga,
are already taking sides….well here’s how it all happened!
joke that has come too early, other fans-critics have already seen the
writing on the wall and some, in a manner similar to the Mo’hits saga,
are already taking sides….well here’s how it all happened!
Banky W who acts as Chairman of EME (the label is co-owned by Segun Demuren) learnt of Wizkid after talent manager Osagie Osanrenkhoe introduced them (along with upcoming rapper Skales)
in 2009. The two were subsequently signed to the label and that started
a journey they all probably didn’t envisage would lead them to millions
of Naira, mouth-watering endorsement deals, tours in the US and UK,
property acquisition and of course controversy.
in 2009. The two were subsequently signed to the label and that started
a journey they all probably didn’t envisage would lead them to millions
of Naira, mouth-watering endorsement deals, tours in the US and UK,
property acquisition and of course controversy.
We all know how Banky and EME practically threw Wizzy in our faces – on radio, TV, magazine covers, Banky’s ‘The W Experience’ album and with the potency of his hit singles like ‘Holla at ur boy’, ‘Don’t dull’ ‘Tease me’ and a debut album ‘Superstar’,
his name spread like wild fire, selling out concerts, winning
international awards and scoring collaborations with top US artistes.
his name spread like wild fire, selling out concerts, winning
international awards and scoring collaborations with top US artistes.
Wizkid became a household name, recording success and adding
fame to his portfolio…thus his
brand began growing ‘geometrically’, to a state where it tested the
solidity of his label.
fame to his portfolio…thus his
brand began growing ‘geometrically’, to a state where it tested the
solidity of his label.
Wizkid became an elephant in the room,
too big to move at the pace of his other label mates, the youngin’
decided to break ties and seek better counsel somewhere else, sacking
his start-up manager Osarenkhoe (who remains with EME, building other
talents like Niyola while working with non EME acts like DammyKrane)
hiring Godwin Tom to handle his business on the local front and signing with rapper Tinie Tempah’s Disturbing London management in the UK. He recently debut his Star Boy music label.
too big to move at the pace of his other label mates, the youngin’
decided to break ties and seek better counsel somewhere else, sacking
his start-up manager Osarenkhoe (who remains with EME, building other
talents like Niyola while working with non EME acts like DammyKrane)
hiring Godwin Tom to handle his business on the local front and signing with rapper Tinie Tempah’s Disturbing London management in the UK. He recently debut his Star Boy music label.
Will Wizkid succeed with his solo
venture? It’s too soon to say….
venture? It’s too soon to say….
Wizzy will be missing a lot of things he
has enjoyed with EME – a firewall from the media, Banky’s charm and
luck which has rubbed off him, bargaining deals and much more but like
we said, it’s too soon to say…
has enjoyed with EME – a firewall from the media, Banky’s charm and
luck which has rubbed off him, bargaining deals and much more but like
we said, it’s too soon to say…
