To inspire the next generation of creatives, Bolanle Austen-Peters of Terra Kulture invited Reekado Banks to share his creative journey and connection to the contemporary Afrobeats scene.
Reekado Bank's Creative Journey (2021)Terra Kulture
Reekado Banks (2020)Terra Kulture
Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, professionally known as Reekado Banks is an award-winning Nigerian international singer, songwriter and performer. He made his big break in 2014 after penning a deal with Mavin Records. In 2016, Reekado released his 21-track debut album, Spotlight. The project landed on the 10th spot of Billboard’s World Albums Charts and bagged the Best Album of the Year at the Headies.
Meet Reekado Banks and get to know one of Nigeria's most exciting Afrobeat artists.
Reekado Banks (2020)Terra Kulture
“I started to write music in 2008. My brother advised me to start singing, so I added melodies and I started to make music. It made me happy and became the only thing that I could feel some sense of perfection after doing. My dad built our first studio. I got signed in December 2013, and was unveiled in February 2014. First year I dropped ‘Dorobucci’, ‘Adaobi’, ‘Chop am’ and it just started to go on from there.”
Reekado Banks (2020)Terra Kulture
“My music connects with reality and I try to make sounds that excite, that uplifts. Sounds you get. That’s like my go-to style, you know I listen to.”
Reekado Banks (2020)Terra Kulture
“I listen to many Afrobeat legends: Salif Keita, Fela Kuti and Ebenezer Obey. I would definitely like to make something with Ebenezer Obey sometime. I think we should do that soon.”
Reekado Banks (2020)Terra Kulture
“One of the first musicians I fell in love with was Wande Coal. He opened another gateway to Nigerian music. Fela Kuti’s career is really enviable because of everything that’s going on now. He’s the face of all that is going on. So that’s really exciting. WizKid has been really progressive. We’ve never seen a downtime. It’s just a ladder that he gets to climb and that’s really exciting.”
Reekado Banks (2020)Terra Kulture
“Being Nigerian or African, and making music makes you an Afrobeat artist. In this little box that everybody is in, you are free to express yourself and make whatever sound you like; R&B, Afropop. Whatever you make will have some Afrobeat in it because it’s just natural. It’s in there; your vibes, the melody, something will just relate it back to the roots.”
Reekado Banks (2020)Terra Kulture
“Considering all I want to achieve - I don’t think I have achieved anything. I am constantly setting new goals. It’s just the beginning.”
