Nigerian Afrobeats star Reekado Banks has opened up about a pivotal moment in his career, offering a candid reason for his decision to leave the record label that launched him into stardom.
In a recent interview, the acclaimed singer confessed that his exit from Mavin Records, the powerhouse label founded by Don Jazzy, was undertaken prematurely.
Banks first rose to national prominence following his signing to Mavin Records. His tenure at the label was marked by immediate and significant success, catapulting him to the forefront of the Nigerian music scene.
Despite this meteoric rise, the artist made the bold decision to part ways with Mavin in 2018, choosing instead to establish his independent imprint, Banks Music. For years, speculation swirled around the reasons for his departure, with many fans assuming a behind-the-scenes conflict was to blame.
However, during a conversation on the Echoo Room podcast with reality television star Teddy A, Banks sought to clarify the narrative. He revealed that his exit was not born out of any disagreement or animosity.
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He emphasised that his formal contract had already concluded two years before his departure. Instead of renewing the agreement immediately, he had continued working under the existing terms for an additional two years, bringing his total time with the label to five years.
It was only after venturing out on his own that he developed a genuine appreciation for the complexities of the music industry. The artist admitted that the immense challenge of handling all aspects of his career—from marketing and distribution to management—provided a stark and sobering reality check.
Reflecting on his initial mindset, he explained his thought process at the time, stating: “It [my exit from Mavin Records] wasn’t a conflict situation. I was pretty young and pretty fixated on what I wanted to do -I wanted to leave. Anyway, my contract ended two years ago. 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.
“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.”
