REWIND: In 2019, Wizkid claimed he left Banky W’s label without a penny

In 2019, Wizkid, the Grammy-winning singer, claimed he left Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), Banky W‘s label, without a penny.

Banky W, the music executive, had recently claimed Wizkid exited his five-album contract with EME after releasing two projects.

Wizkid signed a deal with EME in 2009, releasing ‘Superstar’ and ‘Ayo’, his first and second albums respectively.

The singer would exit Banky W’s label and release his third album after inking a deal with RCA Records in 2017.

In a recent interview, Banky W said he never talked Wizkid out of his exit to avoid animosity.

“There’s no need for us to try and tie him down. It was a five-album deal and he had done two solo albums. He still owed three, but he wanted to leave. I don’t want anyone to stay when they don’t want to,” Banky W had said.

“One thing that has been mostly true in my life and EME with Tunde and Segun is that most of the people who work with us when they eventually leave, they’re better than where they were when we found them.

“I think, for me, that’s enough of a testimony to say I did what I could and I couldn’t be happier that they’re out doing better things. I don’t believe in burning bridges. We had an agreement on how to release him.”

But in a 2019 interview with Capital Xtra, Wizkid had revealed why he left Banky W’s music label.

The singer said he was at a place where he needed to move forward, hence, he exited with “zero naira”.

“I literally had to leave with zero Naira. I had to leave because I’m just like, man, I can’t keep doing this,” he had said.

“It was a great time in my life because I’m thankful to God and Banky W for everything he’s done for me, but you know at some point, you’ll definitely get to a stage where you want to progress and move forward.”