R&BW is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Banky W. It was released by Empire Mates Entertainment on 14 February 2013, coinciding with Valentine's Day.[1] The album was supported by the singles "Yes/No", which peaked at number 1 on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Afrobeat chart, and "Good Good Loving".[2] R&BW features guest appearances from Camp Mulla, eLDee, Sarkodie, Sammy, Shaydee, Skales, Lynxxx, Niyola, M.I, 2Face Idibia, Rotimi and Vector.[3] Its production was handled by Banky W, Cobhams Asuquo, Masterkraft, M.I, Spellz, Sarz and Samklef.[3]
| R&BW | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 February 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–2013 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 67:00 | |||
| Label | Empire Mates Entertainment | |||
| Producer |
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| Banky W chronology | ||||
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| Singles from R&BW | ||||
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Background and promotion
editBanky W revealed the album's cover art to the public several days after signing a 100 million naira contract with Samsung West Africa.[4] The cover art was designed by The Eclectic Source, a design company.[5] Banky W promoted the album by holding the "Grand Love Concert" at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island.[4]
Singles
editThe album's lead single, "Yes/No", was released on 19 November 2012.[6] Its music video was co-directed by Banky W and Clarence Peters. British-Nigerian model Angela Tokunbo Daniel made a cameo appearance in the video.[7]
The Spellz-produced track "Good Good Loving" was also released on 19 November 2012, as the album's second single.[1] The song's visuals feature cameo appearances from Damilola Adegbite, Wizkid, BOJ, Lynxxx, Efya, ELDee, Skales, Niyola, P.R.E, Shaydee and Masterkraft.[8] "Good Good Loving" won Best R&B Single at The Headies 2013.
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Jaguda | 9/10[9] |
| TayoTV | 8.75/10[10] |
| TooXclusive |   [3] |
| Lumeviews |  [11] |
| Nigerian Entertainment Today | [12] |
R&BW received generally positive reviews from music critics. TayoTV gave the album an 8.75 rating out of 10, concluding: "Banky made it known that he still has it and The W Experience wasn’t a fluke. This is what we want out of Nigeria not the glorified noise most of these artistes call songs or albums."[10] Music blog Jaguda awarded the album a rating of 9 out of 10, saying it doesn't "lack in originality and freshness".[9] Chiagoziem Onyekwena of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5, highlighting Wizkid's absence on the record.[12]
Accolades
editR&BW was nominated for Best R&B/Pop Album and Album of the Year at the 2013 edition of The Headies.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Producer(s)[13] | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Way" | Spellz | 3:55 |
| 2. | "Good Good Loving" | Spellz | 3:31 |
| 3. | "Magic" (featuring Skales) | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:12 |
| 4. | "Find You" | Spellz | 4:13 |
| 5. | "Yes/No" | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:07 |
| 6. | "Low Key" | Spellz | 4:17 |
| 7. | "Do It to Me" | Samklef | 3:32 |
| 8. | "Be My Lover (Yes/No, Pt. 2)" (featuring Niyola) | Masterkraft | 3:58 |
| 9. | "Say" (featuring Sammy, Shaydee and Rotimi) | Masterkraft | 6:30 |
| 10. | "Past My Past" (featuring Shaydee) | Masterkraft | 4:50 |
| 11. | "To My Unborn Child" (featuring Lynxxx) | Masterkraft | 4:34 |
| 12. | "African & Proud" (featuring Sarkodie, Camp Mulla, L Tido, and Vector) | Masterkraft | 5:04 |
| 13. | "Never Let You Go" | Banky W | 3:36 |
| 14. | "Good Good Loving (Remix)" (featuring 2Face Idibia) | Spellz | 4:10 |
| 15. | "More" (featuring M.I and ELDee) | M.I | 4:06 |
| 16. | "Mercy" | Maskerkraft | 5:07 |
| Total length: | 67:00 | ||
Personnel
edit- Olubankole Wellington – primary artist, producer, executive producer
- Cobhams Asuquo – producer
- Masterkraft – producer
- Jude Abaga – producer, featured artist
- Spellz – producer
- Sarz – producer
- Samklef – producer
- Taio Tripper – featured artist
- Shappa Man – featured artist
- Miss Karun – featured artist
- Lanre Dabiri – featured artist
- Michael Owusu Addo – featured artist
- Sammy – featured artist
- Shadrach Adeboye – featured artist
- Eniola Akinbo – featured artist
- Raoul John Njeng-Njeng – featured artist
- Chukie Edozien – featured artist
- Innocent Ujah Idibia – featured artist
- Olanrewaju Ogunmefun – featured artist
References
edit- ^ a b "iTunes - Music - R & Bw by Banky W." Itunes. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "Banky W-The True King Of African R&B Shows Us Why He's No.1 With His New Album." sashajustice. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ a b c "ALBUM REVIEW: BANKY W – R&BW". tooxclusive. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Banky W signs N100m deal with Samsung + Official TrackList Of R&BW Album". NaijaPrince. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "The Eclectic Source - Portfolio". R&BW Album cover art. The Eclectic Source. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- ^ "Banky W – Yes/No + Good Good Loving". NotjustOk. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "New Video: Banky W – "Yes/No"". BellNaija. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "New Video|Good Good Loving - Banky W". that1960chick. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Album Review : Banky W – R&BW". Jaguda. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ a b "[Review] Banky W - R&BW". Tayotv. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "BANKY W – R&BW". LumeViews. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ a b "R&BW: Banky W will be just fine [Album Review]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Wale Applause Reviews Banky W RnBW Album". starsofnaija. Retrieved 21 July 2013.