How Exactly Did You Meet Don Jazzy? – Reekado Banks Opens Up In New Interview

How Exactly Did You Meet Don Jazzy? – Reekado Banks Opens Up In New Interview

Singer, Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, aka Reekado Banks, in an interview with Punch, opened up on his career and relationship with his Mavin Records colleagues

When was the first time you knew you wanted to do music?

There wasn’t a particular day that I decided to do music; it was more like a period. Music was a way for me to get away from boredom. I wrote my Senior School Certificate Examination in 2008, and three months after that, I wrote another exam. As the youngest of my parent’s six children, I was usually the only one at home and the only way I escaped boredom was through writing. I used to write poems, rap lyrics, among other things. Subsequently, I graduated to singing.

What was the reaction of your parents to your music career?

Amazingly, my parents supported me. As the last child, they already had experience in dealing with the career choices of their children. I think I was lucky enough to do what I wanted. As a matter of fact, my father even paid for my first studio session.

What memorable experiences can you recall of your childhood?

I really cannot recall anything that was amazing except my 10th birthday party. I grew up in the Ejigbo area of Lagos but at a point, we had to move when my dad, who is a pastor, was transferred to another part of Lagos.

Does your church background have any impact on your music?

Yes, it does. I grew up listening to church music, so that also prepared me in a way.

What advice did your dad give you when you were going fully into music?

He told me not to leave Jesus.

Have you been able to keep to his advice?

Yes, I have no choice other than to do that. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. I have a good relationship with Jesus.

Were you recording songs before you joined Mavin Records?

Yes. I recorded my first song in 2009 and I had been going to the studio constantly before I got signed to Mavin Records.

How exactly did you meet Don Jazzy?

Sometime in May 2013, Don Jazzy posted on Twitter that up-and-coming artistes should send in their demo CDs. My manager, who is actually my elder brother, was the one who saw the tweet and he brought it to my notice. To cut the long story short, out of 5,000 entries that were sent in, I was the only one that was chosen.

What was your first thought when you were signed by Don Jazzy?

I usually have delayed reaction, so I was quite blank initially. Later, I realised that I was the same Reekado Banks that people were talking about.

How would you describe your experience at Mavin?

Mavin is a family and I’m really happy to be a part of it. I have learnt a lot during my stay here. I have learnt that humility and hard work are important. Don Jazzy has been recording hits for about 15 years, so there are a lot of things to learn from him. And with that kind of person around me, I’m really motivated to keep working hard.

Your debut album, Spotlight, did quite well, how would you assess the response of fans to it?

Firstly, I’m grateful to God that it was the highest selling album on the street in 2016. That was a big one for me because the album was released around September yet it was arguably the most successful album of that year. There were many hit songs on the album that other albums didn’t have. It had hit songs like Problem, Ladies and Gentlemen, Standard, Dangote, Oluwa Ni, among others that topped the charts.

What inspired the song, Dangote?

It was just about having a commercial song with the theme of wanting to be as wealthy as Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Apart from Nigeria, in which other African countries do you have lots of fans?

It is amazing. I’m usually surprised when I visit other African countries and I get warm reception. I recently went to Rwanda and I performed for the president of that country. I was amazed that the president knew my song. I’ve also been to Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Cote D’ivoire, Benin Republic, and other African countries, and the reception is usually great.