Empire Mates Entertainment

Empire Mates Entertainment (abbreviated as E.M.E) was a Nigerian record label founded by Banky W and Tunde Demuren in 2002.[1] It was home to recording artists such as Wellington himself and Niyola. DJ Xclusive was the label’s official DJ.[2] Wizkid, Skales and Shaydee were all formerly signed to the label. Producers associated with the label include Masterkraft, Jay Sleek, Cobhams Asuquo, Spellz and Samklef, among others. On June 18, 2012, the label released its compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind.[3] 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.[2][4] Banky W announced in February 2018 that E.M.E was dissolved as a record label; he said the label is now a talent management company focused on creative marketing, advertising, PR and brand events.[5]

Empire Mates Entertainment
Founded2002 (2002)
Founder
Defunct2018 (2018)
StatusInactive
Distributor(s)Self-distributed
GenreVarious
LocationIkeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

History

Banky W and Tunde Demuren founded the record label in Albany, New York in 2002. During an interview with Beverly Bryan of MTV Iggy, Banky W shed light on the formulation of E.M.E. He said he started the label 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. He signed Wizkid and Skales to the label in 2009. DJ Xclusive, Shaydee and Niyola were all signed to the label in 2012.[7] In an interview with Toolz on Ndani TV's The Juice, Banky W spoke about the signing process for each artist on the label. He said he signed Niyola after hearing her sing in the bathroom at his sister's wedding. He also said he signed Shaydee after the singer opened for him at a show in Ilorin. Wizkid and Skales' record deals with E.M.E came as a result of their musical exposure.[8]

Departures

Wizkid

In February 2013, Wizkid tweeted a subliminal message and tweaked his Twitter account.[9][10] He also moved out of the E.M.E mansion in Lagos and acquired his own home in the Lekki Phase 1 area.[10] Prior to Wizkid's subliminal tweets, Banky W pacified fans by assuring them that nothing was amiss. It was reported that troubles within E.M.E started as early as the E.M.E All Stars concert in 2012.[10] On 30 April 2013, Wizkid and E.M.E reunited after contract negotiations.[11] In the aforementioned interview on The Juice, Banky W said the dispute between himself and Wizkid was not as violent as people made it out to seem.[8][12] Wizkid left the label following the release of his second studio album Ayo and expiration of his 5-year contract.[13]

Skales and Shaydee

In February 2014, Skales parted ways with E.M.E following the expiration of his contract. According to various news outlets, Skales and E.M.E agreed to part ways.[14] In May 2017, Shaydee announced his exit from E.M.E following the expiration of his recording contract.[15]

Accolades

E.M.E was nominated for Best Record Label of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards.[16]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2013 City People Entertainment Awards Best Record Label of the Year Nominated

Artists

Artists still signed to the label when it dissolved
ActYear signedReleases
under the label
Banky W 2002 5
Niyola[17] 2012 0

Former artists
ActYear signedReleases
under the label
Wizkid 2009 2
Skales 0
Shaydee[18] 2012 1

Discography
Year Information
2003 Banky W. - Undeniable (EP)
  • Released:2003
  • Singles:
  • Certification:
2005 Banky W - Back in the Building
  • Released:2005
  • Singles: "My Regret"
  • Certification:
2008 Banky W - Mr Capable
  • Released:2008
  • Singles:
  • Certification:
2009 Banky W - The W Experience
  • Released:2009
  • Singles:"Strong Ting", "Feeling It"
  • Certification:
2011 Wizkid - Superstar
2012 Empire Mates Entertainment - Empire Mates State of Mind
  • Released: June 18, 2012
  • Singles: "Baddest Boy", "Dance for Me", "Get Down Tonight", "Ko Mo Le", "Sun Mo Mi", "Don't Delay Me (Don't Go There)", "Change"
  • Certification:
2013 Banky W - R&BW
  • Released:February 14, 2013
  • Singles:"Yes/No", "Good Good Loving"
  • Certification:
2014 Wizkid - Ayo
  • Released: September 17, 2014
  • Singles: "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay", "Show You The Money"
  • Certification:
2016 Shaydee - Rhythm and Life
  • Released: November 25, 2016
  • Singles: "Pon Da Floor", "High"
  • Certification:

References
  1. Victor Okpala (21 February 2018). "EME Shuts-down Operation As A Record Label: Read Banky W's Statement". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  2. "Empire Mates Entertainment - Home". Empire Mates Entertainment. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  3. "Empire Mates State of Mind by Various Artists". iTunes. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  4. "Empire Mates Entertainment". iFacotryNigeria. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  5. Dimeji Akinloye (21 February 2018). "Singer announces dissolution of EME as a record label". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  6. "Welcome To The Empire Mates State Of Mind". MTV Iggy. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  7. "Nigeria to Host Empire Mates' Concert". Olamident. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  8. "The Juice - Banky W". YouTube. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  9. Odukoya, Lanre (9 February 2013). "The Kid Takes a Walk". thisdaylive.com. This Day. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  10. "The war within E.M.E… as Wizkid shocks fans". Vanguard news. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  11. "Wizkid, EME back in business". Vanguard. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  12. "Banky W squashes rumours of Wizkid's departure from EME..." MTV Base. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  13. Showemimo, Dayo (1 September 2014). "Wizkid confirms he's FINALLY set to leave E.M.E". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 16 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  14. Alonge, Osagie (19 February 2014). "NET Exclusive: Skales bows out of EME as contract expires". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  15. "With EME exit, singer's fate is in his hands now". Pulse Nigeria. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  16. 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.
  17. "EMPIRE MATES ENTERTAINMENT (E.M.E) SIGNS NIYOLA". Hiphopworldmagazine. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  18. ""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.
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