Banky W – R & BW (Album Review)

Banky W’s album was released admist fresh controversies that Wizkid (the labels leading act) left the label. Wizkid was present at Banky’s album launch/concert but his cameo appearance adds substance to the fact that things are shaky between both of them (Banky W and Wizkid). To further confirm the existence of a possible rift between the two Wizkid was totally absent on Banky’s album whilst other label mate had a fair share of features on the album.
Away from the controversies (and all) Banky’s album title R&BW suggests Banky was keeping it R&B through his 16 track masterpiece and in the mood of the Valentine season the predominant theme of the album was Love and Romance. A little disappointing is his album cover, compared to his last album (the W Experience) this album cover is trash. We also commend his courage to let us see exactly what he has been hiding underneath Baseball hats, skull caps e.t.c and we think its cool.
Let’s run through a brief introduction before the review.

ARTISTE: Banky W
TITTLE: R&BW
LABEL: Empire Mates Entertainment
PRODUCERS: Masterkraft, Spellz, Cohbams Asuquo, Sarz, MI, Samklef and Banky W.
COLLABOS: SKALES, NIYOLA, SAMMY, SHAYDEE, ROTIMI, LYNXXX, SARKODE, L-TIDO, CAMP MULLA, VECTOR, TUFACE, MI and ELDEE
MARKETER: UBA Pacific Music

Track by track analysis

1. The Way
Banky opens his album with a slightly quick tempo R&B song, which is capable of making your head bump.

2. Good Good Loving
This track has been on the air waves for sometime now. Banky flows smoothly on a uniquely produced beat by spellz. This is a song R&B lovers will find irresistable.

3. MAGIC feat SKALES
This song is meant to be a dance song but unlike the high life and fuji meets hiphop blend which has dominated party scenes Banky uses his distinct vocals to deliver this smooth RNB groove.

4. FIND YOU
The beat on this track is quite uncoordinated and Banky with some effort use is vocal strength to encourage us to listen, personally not among my favourites.

5. YES/NO
This is a known track to contemporary music lovers. Mr Capable contradicts himself and answers his question in a creative manner. Plus a quality video he deserves a pat on the back for this.

6. LOW KEY
Another of his slow romantic songs. Banky flowed smoothly on a not too impressive beat. The track also featured a rapper that for reasons best known to Banky wasn’t named.

7. DO IT TO ME
Banky drops another for the dance floor. In his way he lights up the slow mood of the album by increasing the tempo. It has proved not to be his strong point.

8. BE MY LOVER (YES/NO Pt.II) feat NIYOLA
A quick tempo version of his previous track, this time he had label mate Niyola on. Surprisingly he did justice to the song as against the believe of being less active on the fast tempo songs.

9. SAY feat SAMMY, SHAYDEE and ROTIMI
These brothers were feeling like Boyz II Men on this track. Their vocals were way above that of the average Nigerian Musician, though not what we are use to hearing, R&B lovers may find this track interesting.

10. PAST MY PAST feat SHAYDEE
Just like in the track above Banky sings on alongside label mate Shaydee. Banky must be trying hard to resuscitate a genre of slow R N B that is almost dead on the Nigerian Music Scene. He lyrically excelled on this track, on the last stanza he rapped smoothly with punchlines like “always take the better f**k over the better wife/always take the better look over the better life”

11. TO MY UNBORN CHILD feat LYNXXX
Just like PAC Banky and Lynxxx were extending love to their Unborn children but unlike PAC they expressed an optimistic impatience to show love to their Kids, they also offer advice to their unborn kids. A decent song.

12. AFRICAN & PROUD feat SARKODIE, L-TIDO, CAMP MULLA and VECTOR
Totally different subject from what we’ve been accustomed to on the album. Banky was lighting Africa(the Dark Continent) up on this track, with collabos from other African HipHop heads he passed his message across.

13. NEVER LET YOU GO
Back to the usual Banky drops a decent groove song. His vocals came out correct and on point and the fast tempo beat makes the song groovy and smooth altogether.

14. GOOD GOOD LOVING feat TUFACE
Sometimes the temptation to Remix a popular song and get another popular name to add swag leads Artiste to making the error of adding unnecessary changes to an already perfect work. Tuface was trying to be dynamic but I prefer his R N B swag to his raggalike side.

15. MORE feat MI & ELDEE
Banky called his friends to share their success story on this track and probably add their desire to have more of the usuals – fame, money, cars and women.

16. MERCY
Banky on the last song of the album ask for what we all need ‘Mercy’. An unnamed rapper went through the third stanza (a kind of common trend on the album) and in a little confusing manner seems to be refering to his Father instead of God as Banky did.

TOTAL ALBUM RATING: 6.5/10

Just like other Nigerian artiste Banky W has his strong points. He has great vocals and we are yet to locate a Nigerian Artiste that can outdo him in this area but he restricts his message to love and romance which he seldom departed from in this album.
Personally I didn’t regret buying the album and I know all those tired of the usual commercial songs that has crowded the airwaves will find Solace in this album.

Seun Awolade Esq.
Entertainment Consultant
08159960386