Reekado Banks: Biography
Reekado noni! That’s the popular slogan he uses to introduce himself most especially in the start of his songs.
Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon also known as Reekado Banks, born 6th December 1993, is a Nigerian recording artiste, singer and songwriter currently signed to the prestigious Mavin Records. Prior to picking the name Ricardo Banks and signing a record deal with Marvin records, he used to be known by the stage name Spicy.
From a humble and disciplined home, his father being a Pastor and his mother a caterer, his elder brother a producer and elder sister a gospel singer, Reekado Banks is the last child of his family, He completed his secondary school at the age of 14, Reekado Banks graduated with a Second Class Lowers division (2’2) in History and Strategic Study from the University of Lagos, though while at school, he had some songs written down already which clearly proved the current Mavin star had always had a thing for doing music.
Fast forward to his music career, Upon joining Marvin records, Reekado Banks started doing music in 2008, His elder brother used to be his producer, in fact he produced all of his earlier songs and tutored him on the rudiments of singing, writing and the art music production. He derived the stage name Reekado Banks by combining the meanings of the two names; the former part of his stage name translates to “strong ruler”, while the latter part loosely translates to “wealth”.
Talking about how he joined Mavin records was as a result of the online talent hunt by Don Jazzy, Reekado’s elder brother submitted some of his songs to the music label even without his consent, Reekado banks was contacted, screened and after passing through the various stages, was duly selected and that was how he was signed to Mavin Records and upon joining the label, he once said his key figures in music are Don Jazzy (Mavin Record Boss), 2Face Idibia, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Olamide and M.I, luckily for him he is now signed to one of them!
| REAL NAME | Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon |
| STAGE NAME | Reekado Banks |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 6th December 1993 |
| RECORD LABEL | Mavin Records |
| ALBUM NAME | Spotlight |
| ENDORSEMENT | Glo Nigeria |
| GENRE OF MUSIC | Afro Pop Music |
| NET WORTH | 600,000 US Dollars |
Reekado Banks: Awards & Nominations
In December 2004, Reekado Banks won the prestigious Headies award for the Rookie of the year award! and subsequently went on to win the Next rated in 2015, a feat which gives credence to Don Jazzy’s online talent hunt search.
So far in his musical career, Ricardo banks has won the following awards as seen below
One Headies Awards for Rookie of the year in 2013, his first award in his music career.
One Headies Awards / Next Rated (2015) – Won
Headies Awards / Video of the Year “Katapot” (2015) – Won
City people entertainment awards/ Most promising act to watch (2015) — Won
REEKADO BANKS: Net Worth, House and Cars (Photos)
Reekado Banks is a brand ambassador to indigenous telecommunication company in Nigeria Glo, a deal which runs into several millions of Naira, thanks to Don Jazzy’s connection.
His album (The Spotlight) keeps soaring higher in terms of sales with the release of Oluwani, Sugar Baby, Standard and other songs on the list. Reekado is becoming a regular face in music video cameos, having his face appear is already a plus.
His performance per show keeps soaring too, confirmed sources have it that Reekado Banks charges nothing less than 700,000 per show, though he still has a contract with Mavin records so this definitely would be shared according to the sharing formula stated in his contract.
In 2015, Reekado bought a duplex for his parents, showing appreciation for their love and parental affection in his life so far! In August that same year, Reekado Banks Moved into his own house, thanking God for his achievement and recounting when he used to use a pit latrine back while hoping someday he would use a toilet so clean that he could eat in it, what a dream come true!
As a sign of appreciation, he included his elder brother as part of his personal management team in which he has a percentage of his earnings from shows, tours and other events.
Upon winning the Next Rated award in the Headies 2015, Reekado Banks was given a Hyundai iX35, a gift which customarily goes with the Next Rated Award winner for each year, though this caused a major controversy among Label owners Olamide and Don Jazzy.
Olamide openly condemned the award being given to Reekado, saying fellow artiste Lil Kesh as at that time was signed under his record label YBNL Records was supposed to be the winner of the award, owing to the fact that Lil kesh had been consistent and had released back to back hits songs, while other music pundits opined that Kiss Daniel was best suited for the award.
Olamide then went ahead to smash the Microphone while on stage and broke glasses in the green room, though he apologized to the organizers of the Headies award and Nigeria’s Billionaire Alhaji Dangote waded into the matter, invited both parties (Olamide and Don Jazzy) and subsequently settled their beef.
The truth is, Reekado has so far shown why he is best suited for the award with his current album making waves currently in the music industry in Nigeria.
With all these put together, Reekado’s net worth is estimated to be over 700,000 US dollars, a mark he is set to surpass in few months from now.