Songs About U
| Songs About U | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 1 June 2017 | |||
| Genre | R&B[1] | |||
| Length | 41:51 | |||
| Label | Empire Mates | |||
| Producer |
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| Banky W. chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Songs About U | ||||
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Songs About U is the first EP by Nigerian singer, rapper, and actor Banky W. It was released on 1 June 2017, through Empire Mates Entertainment. Dedicated to his wife, Adesua "Susu" Etomi, the album features guest appearances from Chidinma, Nonso Amadi, and Maleek Berry. Production was handled by Cobhams Asuquo, Nonso Amadi, Maleek Berry, Chris Cubeta, TK, and Masterkraft. It serves as a follow-up to R&BW (2013). Each track except "High Notes" contain the letter U in the name.
Background
[edit]Songs About U was first announced in a 2016 interview with HipTV, where he revealed that the name would be either Songs About You or Songs About You and Me.[2]
Singles
[edit]The EP's lead single "All for You" features Maleek Berry and was produced by Maleek Berry. It was released on 27 March 2014.[3] Its second single was released on 5 August 2015, entitled "High Notes." The song was produced by Cobhams Asuquo and written and co-produced by Banky himself.[4][5] The third single off the EP, "All I Want is You," features Chidinma and was released on 2 December 2015. It was prodcued by TK.[6] The fourth single, "Made for You," was released on 10 February 2016. The R&B and reggae-infused song was produced by Masterkraft.[7] The fifth single off the EP "Kololo (I Still Love U)" was released on 16 March 2017. Also produced by Masterkraft, the song was mixed and mastered by Suka Sounds.[8] The sixth and seventh singles, "Heaven (Susu's Song)" and "Love U Baby" were released simultaneously on 26 May 2017. "Heaven (Susu's Song)" was produced by Chris Cubeta while "Love U Baby" was produced by Cobhams Asuquo.[9] "Heaven (Susu's Song)" was nominated for Best Recording of the Year at the Headies 2018 while "Love U Baby" was nominated for Best R&B Single and Best Vocal Performance (Male) at the Headies 2018.[10]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pulse Nigeria | 4/5[11] |
| FilterFree Nigeria | 60%[12] |
Songs About U received mixed reception from critics. Jonathan Ekowho of Pulse Nigeria praised Songs About U for its romantic themes and polished production, describing it as "impeccable music" that deeply resonates with Banky W’s core fans. He highlighted tracks like "All for You," "Kololo," and "Running After U," noting their diverse influences ranging from highlife to EDM. However, he critiqued the project for its lack of innovation, stating, "It sounds tired. It sounds old. We want more. We want different. We want a new W." Despite this, he awarded the EP a strong rating of 4/5.[11]
Chiagoziem Onyekwena, writing for the Guardian Life acknowledged the emotional depth of Songs About U, which is centered around Banky W’s love for his wife Adesua Etomi. However, he felt that the album lacked creative variety and emotional complexity, calling it "single-minded and simplistic." Onyekwena concluded, "You can be disappointed in the Songs About U album and still be happy for the love affair that inspired it."[13]
Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Music in Africa criticized Banky W's Songs About U, suggesting that the album felt uninspired and self-indulgent, with much of it relying on previously released material. He argued that the album’s timing seemed opportunistic, capitalizing on the social media buzz around Banky’s engagement. Aigbokhaevbolo described the album as "uninspired" and noted that "Songs About U should have been an EP."[14]
Chiagoziem Onyekwena, writing for FilterFree Nigeria, rated Banky W's Songs About U a 60%, noting that the album's singular focus on his love for fiancée Adesua Etomi made it feel one-dimensional. While he acknowledged Banky W's right to express his emotions, Onyekwena felt the album lacked depth, stating it was "rich in romance and sentiment but distinctly average in quality."[12]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Whatchu Doing Tonight" | Olubankole Wellington | TK | 4:19 |
| 2. | "Running After U" (featuring Nonso Amadi) | Wellington | Nonso Amadi | 4:23 |
| 3. | "Kololo (I Still Love U)" |
| Masterkraft | 3:52 |
| 4. | "All I Want is You" (featuring Chidinma) |
| TK | 3:40 |
| 5. | "Love U Baby" | Wellington | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:55 |
| 6. | "Heaven (Susu's Song)" | Wellington | Chris Cubeta | 4:43 |
| 7. | "Better for U" | Wellington | Masterkraft | 4:23 |
| 8. | "Made for You" |
| Masterkraft | 4:09 |
| 9. | "All for You" (featuring Maleek Berry) |
| Maleek Berry | 3:21 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10. | "High Notes" |
| Cobhams Asuquo | 4:02 |
| Total length: | 41:51 | |||
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from back cover.
- Chidinma Ekile - vocals, songwriting
- Nonso Amadi - vocals, songwriting, production (track 2)
- Maleek Shoyebi - vocals, songwriting, production (track 9)
- TK - production (tracks 1, 4), mixing (track 4)
- Cobhams Asuquo - production (tracks 5, 10), co-writer (tracks 3, 8)
- Chris Cubeta - production (track 6), mixing (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7)
- Masterkraft - production (track 3, 7, 8)
- Eniola Akinbo - co-writer (track 10)
- Suka Sounds - mixing (tracks 3, 8), mastering (tracks 3, 4, 8)
- Alex Deturk - mastering (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7)
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 1 June 2017 | Digital download | Empire Mates |
References
[edit]- ^ Abiola (1 June 2017). "Singer's "Songs About You" playlist is out". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Ayodele Johnson (22 May 2016). "Singer reveals the name of his 5th studio album". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Ovie O (27 March 2014). "Banky W - All For You ft. Maleek Berry". NotJustOk. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Benjamin Njoku (29 July 2015). "How Banky wrote, produced, directed 'High Notes' video". Vanguard. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "New Music: Banky W – High Notes". Guardian Life. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Feyikemi Akin-Bankole (5 December 2015). "Music: All I Want Is You – BankyW w/ Chidinma". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Oreoluwa Peters (10 February 2016). "Banky W's new song 'Made For You' might just be the new lovers' anthem (LISTEN)". YNaija. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Abiola (16 March 2017). "Banky W - 'Kololo'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "Banky W Shares "Heaven" and "Love U baby" off his 'Songs About U' Ep". The Native. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Ayodele Oluwagbemi (13 April 2018). "Headies 2018: Full list of nominees". The Punch. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ a b Jonathan Ekowho (25 May 2017). "Banky W's "Songs About U" is technically impeccable but behind the times". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ a b Chiagoziem Onyekwena (19 May 2017). ""Songs About U" Is About The Love Of Banky W's Life And Little Else". Filter Free Nigeria. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Chiagoziem Onyekwena (27 May 2017). "Banky W's new album: Too much of heart, little creativity". Guardian Life. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Oris Aigbokhaevbolo (15 June 2017). "Banky W – Songs About U". Music in Africa. Retrieved 5 December 2024.