Reekado Banks

About Reekado Banks

Spotlight hit differently when Reekado Banks walked into the studio as a Mavin Records artist.

Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon was born on December 6, 1993. The world would come to know him as Reekado Banks, a name that would define Nigerian pop music in the mid-2010s. Before the stage name change, he went by Spicy, grinding through the early years of his music career.

In 2014, everything shifted. Mavin Records signed him to their roster, and the industry took notice. That same year, Reekado Banks won Rookie of the Year at The Headies, a major recognition that validated his arrival on the scene.

The following year brought even bigger validation. At The Headies 2015, he received the Next Rated award. The recognition was controversial, but it cemented his place among Nigeria's rising music talents and kept him in constant conversation.

His debut studio album, Spotlight, arrived on September 1, 2016. The project debuted at number 10 on the Billboard World Albums chart, making him one of the few Nigerian artists to achieve such international chart positioning so early in their career. The album showcased his range as both a singer and songwriter.

Reekado Banks remained with Mavin Records until 2018. Those four years shaped his sound and his public image. He released music that resonated across Nigeria and beyond, building a loyal fanbase with each project.

His journey from Spicy to Reekado Banks represents the evolution many Nigerian artists undergo as they mature in the industry. What started as a young man with ambition became a recognized voice in contemporary Nigerian music. The awards, the chart success, and the albums all contributed to a narrative of steady growth and artistic development that continues to this day.