Nigerian singer and songwriter Reekado Banks has opened up about his decision to leave Mavin Records, the record label that first shot him to stardom.
The award-winning artiste admitted that his exit from the label in 2018 was premature, even though it was not driven by conflict.
Reekado, born Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, made the revelation in a recent interview with reality star Teddy A on The Echoo Room podcast.
Reekado Banks joined Mavin Records, founded by Don Jazzy, in 2014. Under the label, he quickly rose to prominence, earning back-to-back industry accolades. That same year, he won Rookie of the Year at The Headies 2014. In 2015, he went on to claim the highly coveted and controversial Next Rated Award at The Headies, beating fellow nominees Lil Kesh, Kiss Daniel, and Korede Bello.
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His time at Mavin also produced several hits, including collaborations with labelmates and other Nigerian stars. Fans quickly recognised him as one of the label’s leading voices during its golden era.
In 2018, after five years with Mavin Records, Reekado Banks announced his departure and launched his imprint, Banks Music. At the time, many speculated about the reasons behind his decision, with rumours suggesting possible disagreements with the label or Don Jazzy.
However, in his new interview, Reekado dismissed such claims, clarifying that his exit was not a fallout but a personal choice.
“It [my exit from Mavin Records] wasn’t a conflict situation,” he explained. “I was pretty young and pretty fixated on what I wanted to do, I wanted to leave. Anyways, my contract had ended two years prior. I signed a three-year contract and I allowed it to ride for another two years. So, I was there for five years without reviewing the contract.”
Reekado Banks admitted that while he was confident at the time, he later discovered that his decision came too early.
“So, when it was time, I thought I wanted to do this [leave] now. I thought I could do it now. I just embarked on the journey, as many people would view it, prematurely. As soon as I jumped into the sea as well, I realised how premature it was,” he said.
According to him, managing the business side of music without the backing of an established label like Mavin Records turned out to be more challenging than he expected.
Despite his reflections, Reekado Banks made it clear that there was no bad blood between him and Don Jazzy. He maintained that the decision was entirely his and not the result of any disagreement.
Don Jazzy himself has often spoken fondly of Reekado, describing him as one of the most talented artistes to come out of Mavin. The label boss also congratulated him publicly when he launched Banks Music in 2018, further dismissing speculations of a rift.
Since leaving Mavin Records, Reekado Banks has continued to release music under his own imprint. Some of his standout singles include Rora, Ozumba Mbadiwe, and Standard. His 2021 remix of Ozumba Mbadiwe with Fireboy DML further cemented his relevance in the evolving Nigerian music scene.
Though his career trajectory has faced ups and downs since his departure, Reekado remains one of Nigeria’s most respected voices in Afropop. His honesty about the challenges of independence offers a rare glimpse into the realities behind an artiste’s journey after leaving a powerhouse label.
Reflecting on his path, Reekado Banks’ admission highlights the difficult balance many artistes face between independence and industry support. While the desire for creative and business freedom drives many to set up their own labels, the realities of structure, funding, and management often prove daunting.
For Reekado, the experience has been a journey of growth. His candid reflections may also serve as a lesson for younger artistes eager to break free from established labels without fully weighing the challenges ahead.
Today, Reekado Banks continues to perform, record, and evolve, maintaining his place in the industry he entered more than a decade ago. Though he admits he left Mavin Records too soon, his career shows that he is still determined to chart his path, one step at a time.
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