Nigerian music producer, Cobhams Asuquo has narrated how Banky W refused
to get paid for an advert he produced many years ago. According to
Cobhams who produced the advert’s song which Banky laid his vocals to,
that single experience he had with the singer makes him believe he is
qualified for the public office he is running for.See what he wrote
below... The first time I met Banky was in 2008. I was writing an
Etisalat commercial and I needed a certain style of voice on the song. I
thought of the fresh new artist who sang the song "Ebutemetta" -
BankyW. He was quite fresh on the naija music scene at that time, so I
didn't know anything about him. After a few calls, I was able to track
him down only to learn he wasn't in the country, but because I was
determined to get his voice on the track, I stalled the project.When we
finally got into the studio to voice the commercial, we worked through
the night and I was struck by how professional, hard working and good
natured he was. He left quite an impression on me, but the biggest
surprise was yet to come. A few weeks later, I called him to confirm
that the client had paid for the job and I had a cheque for him, but
instead he flat out refused the cheque and didn't want to be paid! He
said he was just happy to have done the job. I was shocked. Why would an
artist, especially a new one refuse good money for a major campaign for
a big brand? I was absolutely blown away! But I was glad about how the
story eventually turned out. The client loved the 0809ja song and
wanted to meet the artist who sang on it to see him and know if he would
be interested in also appearing in the TV commercial. One thing led to
another and that's how BankyW, a brand new artist on the naija scene,
became an Etisalat ambassador and went on to perform all over the
country that year for the brand. I would later learn that one of the
ogas at the advertising agency believed so strongly that Banky would
deliver on the commercial that he staked his salary on it. . Fast
forward to the present, Banky and I have developed one of the most
treasured friendships I have in my life. With him I am able to have
tough conversations. Nothing is off limits. He's not ashamed or afraid
to express brotherly love in a way that others may consider to be
"uncool". We became neighbours at a point and it wasn't uncommon for
Banky to pop in just to make sure that I and my family were doing OK, or
to invite me to his house to listen to music. We have worked on several
projects together and each time, Banky would always in addition to his
own tasks, place it upon himself to make sure I was doing fine. It's
become such that when I have to work with a bunch of people in an
unfamiliar space professionally or geographically speaking, just knowing
Banky is there fills me with reassurance that I will be OK. I recall a
friend's wedding we traveled for. I didn't travel with an aide. Banky
was the Bestman and in the middle of his best man duties, he would
always come check on me to make sure I was OK. Now, at this point you'll
probably think, "well, it's because he's your friend", but the truth is
that he is this same way with everyone, not just myself. It is just
second nature to him to look out for others. He is one of the most
naturally consistent people I know and there are many others who would
testify to this. It's a special kind of person (especially in a time
where corruption, selfishness and greed have practically become cultural
"values"), that can start with practically nothing as he did, and over
the years grow it into the successful brand and string of businesses we
see today without tarnishing his image; while also maintaining the same
stellar work ethic and positive attitude that anyone who has worked with
him can attest to. I know because it all happened right in front of me.
He has become an ambassador to many brands since we first met, and one
thing anyone who has worked with him will tell you is that he is always
professional, good spirited, conscientious and always ready to roll up
his sleeves and get to work. At work or play, he will always arrive a
few minutes early or exactly on time, and give his heart completely to
whatever he had to do. In an industry that's very ..."interesting" to
say the least, he is remarkably selfless and truly believes in love,
service, friendship, togetherness and the power of community over the
power of one. He is and has always been all these things and more, not
because of any agenda. It is just the way he is. In a time where
originality is hard to find and is often called to question, Banky is
one person I know to be authentic. I think that all of this makes him an
ideal candidate for the position he's trying to occupy. It's not only
about how I have seen him behave with me, but about how I have seen him
behave with others. I see no reason to trust any one other than one who
has shown themselves to be who they truly are; and who they are across
the board has proven to always inspire. This is one of the few times in
our National history, that a truly good person has taken that brave,
political step forward to try to do some collective good. He is a
testament to what you can do with a little hope. So I'm hoping that this
time, we will not let ourselves down. Yes, ourselves. Not him. Because
we finally have someone who is not in this race for himself, but for you
and me. We finally have a real chance here, one we have long waited
for. We can give this position to someone who not only truly deserves
it, but who WE also deserve to have look out for US and OUR interests
for once as Nigerians. I support @BankyW as he runs for the Lagos Eti
Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in 2019.This is one of the few times in our National history that a truly good person has taken that brave, political step - Cobhams Asuquo writes about Banky W
Nigerian music producer, Cobhams Asuquo has narrated how Banky W refused
to get paid for an advert he produced many years ago. According to
Cobhams who produced the advert’s song which Banky laid his vocals to,
that single experience he had with the singer makes him believe he is
qualified for the public office he is running for.See what he wrote
below... The first time I met Banky was in 2008. I was writing an
Etisalat commercial and I needed a certain style of voice on the song. I
thought of the fresh new artist who sang the song "Ebutemetta" -
BankyW. He was quite fresh on the naija music scene at that time, so I
didn't know anything about him. After a few calls, I was able to track
him down only to learn he wasn't in the country, but because I was
determined to get his voice on the track, I stalled the project.When we
finally got into the studio to voice the commercial, we worked through
the night and I was struck by how professional, hard working and good
natured he was. He left quite an impression on me, but the biggest
surprise was yet to come. A few weeks later, I called him to confirm
that the client had paid for the job and I had a cheque for him, but
instead he flat out refused the cheque and didn't want to be paid! He
said he was just happy to have done the job. I was shocked. Why would an
artist, especially a new one refuse good money for a major campaign for
a big brand? I was absolutely blown away! But I was glad about how the
story eventually turned out. The client loved the 0809ja song and
wanted to meet the artist who sang on it to see him and know if he would
be interested in also appearing in the TV commercial. One thing led to
another and that's how BankyW, a brand new artist on the naija scene,
became an Etisalat ambassador and went on to perform all over the
country that year for the brand. I would later learn that one of the
ogas at the advertising agency believed so strongly that Banky would
deliver on the commercial that he staked his salary on it. . Fast
forward to the present, Banky and I have developed one of the most
treasured friendships I have in my life. With him I am able to have
tough conversations. Nothing is off limits. He's not ashamed or afraid
to express brotherly love in a way that others may consider to be
"uncool". We became neighbours at a point and it wasn't uncommon for
Banky to pop in just to make sure that I and my family were doing OK, or
to invite me to his house to listen to music. We have worked on several
projects together and each time, Banky would always in addition to his
own tasks, place it upon himself to make sure I was doing fine. It's
become such that when I have to work with a bunch of people in an
unfamiliar space professionally or geographically speaking, just knowing
Banky is there fills me with reassurance that I will be OK. I recall a
friend's wedding we traveled for. I didn't travel with an aide. Banky
was the Bestman and in the middle of his best man duties, he would
always come check on me to make sure I was OK. Now, at this point you'll
probably think, "well, it's because he's your friend", but the truth is
that he is this same way with everyone, not just myself. It is just
second nature to him to look out for others. He is one of the most
naturally consistent people I know and there are many others who would
testify to this. It's a special kind of person (especially in a time
where corruption, selfishness and greed have practically become cultural
"values"), that can start with practically nothing as he did, and over
the years grow it into the successful brand and string of businesses we
see today without tarnishing his image; while also maintaining the same
stellar work ethic and positive attitude that anyone who has worked with
him can attest to. I know because it all happened right in front of me.
He has become an ambassador to many brands since we first met, and one
thing anyone who has worked with him will tell you is that he is always
professional, good spirited, conscientious and always ready to roll up
his sleeves and get to work. At work or play, he will always arrive a
few minutes early or exactly on time, and give his heart completely to
whatever he had to do. In an industry that's very ..."interesting" to
say the least, he is remarkably selfless and truly believes in love,
service, friendship, togetherness and the power of community over the
power of one. He is and has always been all these things and more, not
because of any agenda. It is just the way he is. In a time where
originality is hard to find and is often called to question, Banky is
one person I know to be authentic. I think that all of this makes him an
ideal candidate for the position he's trying to occupy. It's not only
about how I have seen him behave with me, but about how I have seen him
behave with others. I see no reason to trust any one other than one who
has shown themselves to be who they truly are; and who they are across
the board has proven to always inspire. This is one of the few times in
our National history, that a truly good person has taken that brave,
political step forward to try to do some collective good. He is a
testament to what you can do with a little hope. So I'm hoping that this
time, we will not let ourselves down. Yes, ourselves. Not him. Because
we finally have someone who is not in this race for himself, but for you
and me. We finally have a real chance here, one we have long waited
for. We can give this position to someone who not only truly deserves
it, but who WE also deserve to have look out for US and OUR interests
for once as Nigerians. I support @BankyW as he runs for the Lagos Eti
Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in 2019.
