Released 14 February 2013 Length 67:02 Artist Banky W. Genre World | Recorded 2012-2013 The W Experience
(2009) R&BW
(2013) Release date 14 February 2013 | |
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Producer Banky W, Cobhams Asuquo, Masterkraft, M.I, Spellz, Sarz & Samklef Label Empire Mates Entertainment Similar Empire Mates State of M, Desire, Blessed, Oga Boss, Omo Baba Olowo | ||
R&BW is the fourth studio album by Nigerian R&B artist Banky W. The album was released by Empire Mates Entertainment on February 14, 2013. It was supported by the hit single "Yes/No", which peaked at number 1 on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Afrobeat chart. The album features guest appearances from Camp Mulla, ELDee, Sarkodie, Sammy, Shaydee, Skales, Lynxxx, Niyola, M.I, 2Face Idibia, Rotimi and Vector. Production was handled by Banky W, Cobhams Asuquo, Masterkraft, M.I, Spellz, Sarz and Samklef.
Contents
Release and promotion
Banky W revealed the album's cover to the public several days after signing a contract with Samsung Electronics West Africa worth more than 100 million naira. The album's cover art was designed by The Eclectic Source, an upcoming design company whose goal is to create new and exciting works of art. Moreover, on February 15, 2013, he held the "Grand Love Concert" at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos to promote the album.
Singles
On 19 November 2012, Empire Mates Entertainment released the album's lead single "Yes/No". The music video for "Yes/No" was directed by Banky W and Clarence Peters. British Nigerian model Angela Tokunbo Daniel made a cameo appearance in the video.
"Good Good Loving" was released as the second single from the album. The song was produced by Spellz. The music video features cameo appearances from Damilola Adegbite, Wizkid, Boj, Lynxxx, Efya, ELDee, Skales, Niyola, P.R.E, Shaydee and Masterkraft. The music video was illegally uploaded by GidiMp3Nigeria on July 21, 2013, but was taken down few hours later. "Good Good Loving" won Best R&B Single at The Headies 2013.
Critical reception
Upon its release, R&BW was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. A writer for TayoTv gave the album an 8.75 out of 10, concluding: "Overall this album deserves an ovation, 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."
A writer for Jaguda gave the album 9 out of 10, stating: "Banky W has always been more mature than his peers when it comes to music making especially in R&B, but in this album he takes it a step further by widening that gap between him and “the others.” This album doesn’t lack in originality and freshness. Like any other album it has its misses, but even those could be highlights on other albums, but all in all R&BW is a great album, and one that is as close to his “The W experience” album in terms of originality."
Chiagoziem Onyekwena of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album a 3.5 out of 5 rating, stating: "Wizkid is conspicuously missing on Banky W’s fourth full-length LP R&BW, but it’s certainly not something to dwell on. When the teacher doesn’t come to class, class is canceled. However, when the most intelligent student doesn’t come to class, the teacher marks them ‘absent’, closes the register and class goes on. If this album is anything to go by, I suspect Banky W and company will do just fine."
Accolades
R&BW was nominated for "Best R&B/Pop Album" and "Album of the Year" at the 2013 edition of The Headies.
Songs
1The Way3:55
2Good Good Loving3:31
3Magic (feat Skales)Skales4:13