Empire Mates Entertainment
| Empire Mates Entertainment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Banky W |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Official website | EME.com |
Empire Mates Entertainment (stylized as E.M.E) is a Nigerian record label founded by Banky W in 2002. The label is home to recording artists such as Wellington himself, Shaydee and Niyola. DJ Xclusive is the label’s official DJ.[1] Producers associated with the label include Masterkraft, Jay Sleek, Cobhams Asuquo, Spellz and Samklef, among others. On June 18, 2012, the label released its first compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind.[2] In addition to establishing a record label, Banky W, Segun Demuren and Tunde Demuren established a production house, a publishing company known as Muzik Men Publishing, and a charity foundation known as the I-AM-CAPABLE Charity Foundation.[1][3] On February 19, 2014, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Skales parted ways with E.M.E following the expiration of his contract. According to the report, both parties met and reached an agreement.[4] Wizkid left the label following the release of his second studio album and expiration of his 5-year contract.[5]
History
Wellington founded the record label in Albany, New York in 2002. During an interview with Beverly Bryan of MTVIggy.com, Banky W shed light on the formulation of E.M.E. He said he started E.M.E while studying at a local university in Albany. He also said he made money from singing to patrons of hair and nail salons in New York.[6] In 2008, Banky W established E.M.E in Lagos after relocating there. In 2009, he signed Wizkid as the first act to the record label. Skales was also signed to the label in 2009. DJ Xclusive, Shaydee and Niyola were all signed to the label in 2012.[7] During an interview with Toolz on Ndani's TV's The Juice, Banky W spoke about the signing process for each artist on the label. He signed Niyola after hearing her sing in the bathroom at his sister's wedding. He signed Shaydee after the singer opened for him at a show in Ilorin. Wizkid and Skales' record deals with EME came as a result of their musical exposure.[8]
Wizkid’s departure and reunion with E.M.E
On February 20, 2013, InformationNigeria.com reported that Wizkid was at war with E.M.E due to matters that pertain to contract negotiations. According to the website's source, Wizkid was getting 25 percent from every show while Banky W and Segun Demuren were getting 50 percent. Osagie, Wizkid's former manager, was getting the remaining 25 percent. After firing Osagie and hiring Godwin Tom, Wizkid wanted a 50-50 share with Banky W. The source revealed that Banky W refused to accept Wizkid's proposal. Moreover, it was reported that Banky W wanted to find a manager for Wizkid who would accept 25 percent. It was also alleged that things started getting sour as a result of both parties disagreement. Furthermore, it was reported that Wizkid was doing three shows weekly and bringing in close to 24 million naira monthly.[9][10][11][12] Allegations about Wizkid's departure from EME kept getting coverage mainly because he (Wizkid) wasn't invited to Banky W's album launch party and wasn't featured on the R&BW album.[13] During the aforementioned interview with Toolz, Banky W broke his silence on the subject, stating:
| “ | I preference the answer to that by saying that when you don't give people bad news, they create it. As we grow, with growth and success, goals become bigger. He wants to start his own label. It was not nearly as bitter or as violent as people made it out to seem. It was just funny to me because it's just ironic how bitter people can be and how much people are really hungry for slander and bad news. He is still on the label. We are in full support whether its StarBoy or what we are doing with Disturbing London. We are actually all working together to make sure that this goes smoothly. People were just really bitter and looking for fights. | ” |
| — Banky W.[8][14] | ||
Accolades
E.M.E was nominated for Best Record Label of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards.[15]
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | City People Entertainment Awards | Best Record Label of the Year | Nominated |
Artists
Current artists
| Act | Year signed | # Albums and other works released under Empire Mates Entertainment |
|---|---|---|
| Banky W | 2002 | 5 |
| Niyola[16] | 2012 | — |
Former artists
| Act | Year signed | # Albums and other works released under Empire Mates Entertainment |
|---|---|---|
| Wizkid | 2009 | 2 |
| Skales | — | |
| Shaydee[17] | 2012 | 1 |
Discography
| Year | Information |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Banky W. - Undeniable EP
|
| 2005 | Banky W - Back in the Building
|
| 2008 | Banky W - Mr Capable
|
| 2009 | Banky W - The W Experience
|
| 2011 | Wizkid - Superstar
|
| 2012 | Empire Mates Entertainment - Empire Mates State of Mind
|
| 2013 | Banky W - R&BW
|
| 2014 | Wizkid - Ayo
|
| 2016 | Shaydee - Rhythm and Life
|
References
- 1 2 "Empire Mates Entertainment - Home". Empire Mates Entertainment. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "Empire Mates State of Mind by Various Artists". iTunes. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "Empire Mates Entertainment". iFacotryNigeria. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ Alonge, Osagie (19 February 2014). "NET Exclusive: Skales bows out of EME as contract expires". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ↑ Showemimo, Dayo (1 September 2014). "Wizkid confirms he's FINALLY set to leave E.M.E". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ "Welcome To The Empire Mates State Of Mind". MTV Iggy. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "Nigeria to Host Empire Mates' Concert". Olamident. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- 1 2 "The Juice - Banky W". YouTube. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "REVEALED: The Real Reasons Why Wizkid Left EME To Float StarBoy Records". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "Wizkid, E.M.E records part ways?". PunchNigeria. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "Nigeria: Why Wizkid Abandoned Banky W's EME". AllAfrica. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ ""EME is my family": The new Y! Magazine speaks exclusively to Wizkid on his struggles, fame & the future". YNaija. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "[News] Wizkid M.I.A on Banky W's New Album". GreatAfricanMusic. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ "Banky W squashes rumours of Wizkid's departure from EME..." MTV Base. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ Aiki, Damilare (19 June 2013). "Ice Prince, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Sarkodie, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Yvonne Okoro, Tonto Dikeh & BellaNaija Nominated for the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards - See the Full List". Bellanaija. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ↑ "EMPIRE MATES ENTERTAINMENT (E.M.E) SIGNS NIYOLA". Hiphopworldmagazine. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ ""Thanks for all I've learnt from you" – Shaydee wishes Banky W happy birthday as he announces exit from EME". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2017-03-28.