Banke Is Ready for Her Moment

Since stepping onto the music scene in 2018, Nigerian singer Banke has been quietly but steadily carving out a space for herself. Now, as she prepares to release her debut album—a project delayed by what she describes as a mix of perfectionism and a deep need to create from a place of genuine inspiration—Banke is finally ready to share a fuller picture of her artistry.

Having moved to the UK in 2022, her ability to blend Nigerian and British musical influences is perhaps best exemplified in her soulful single Nifemito, which soundtracked Bimbo Ademoye’s film Fame and Fury. Beyond the recording booth, Banke has found expression on stage in more ways than one. In 2024, she starred in the sold-out musical Marriage Wahala at the Royal College of Music, sharing the spotlight with renowned Nigerian actors. Theater, she says, feels like home, and it’s part of why she describes herself as “more of a performing artist than a recording artist.”

Banke is clear on her mission; to make music that lasts. “Timeless” is the word she returns to. She’s focused on reflection, gratitude, and making art that leaves an imprint. Culture Custodian caught up with the artist to talk about the road so far, what’s next, and the kind of legacy she hopes to leave behind.

From Britain’s Got Talent to the main stage at the British Grand Prix, your journey has spanned a range of performance spaces. How have these varied experiences shaped your artistic identity and stage presence?

I feel like performing is a home where I am able to express myself more. So I feel at peace when I’m able to pass out my message to other people. Whatever I want to say, whatever I want to do, I feel most comfortable on stage.  I’m more of a performing artist than a recording artist. I’ve been used to performing even in school because I studied music, so everything was just perform, perform, perform. In Lagos, I did many live concerts with Ruby Gyang for Chocolate City. I’ve kind of performed all my life. 

Your song Nifemito was featured in Fame and Fury and was a significant cultural moment. As an artist based in the UK, how important is it for you to keep your Nigerian heritage central to your music and identity? 

I grew up in Nigeria and moved in 2022. My mom is  Delta, and then my dad is Yoruba. So it gave me that foundation where I can just write what I feel. Now, Mirror is a song that I released in 2018, and it’s a song about reflection, and knowing who you are. I just finished school then. And then I was comparing myself to a lot of people. And I knew that at that age, there were going to be other people who would be comparing themselves to their friends. 

Nifemito is a love song about a stupid person that I love so much, and the person doesn’t love me enough or love me as much as I want that person to love me.

Starring in a sold-out musical at the Royal College of Music is no doubt a pivotal moment. What impact did working alongside celebrated Nigerian actors like Bimbo Ademoye and Kehinde Bankole have on the way you tell stories through music?

MW the musical, or Marriage Wahala, was about three couples and one single girl living in an apartment. And they all have their own stories, and they are all neighbors. It was quite interesting to work with Nollywood celebrities. I’m here in the UK, I thought that I probably wouldn’t have that opportunity again. So it was a very amazing experience. 

The actors made the experience easy for everybody because we were in a closed space for about three weeks and nobody was, you know, oh, I’m bigger than anybody. Everybody was on the same level. It was a place where I could learn because I am more of a singer than an actor. So, standing, acting, and singing alongside everyone was a blessing to me. I was also able to convey my emotions to people using my voice, because of the director’s lead. 

You’re set to perform with Johnny Drille at KOKO Camden, a venue steeped in musical history. What does this mean to you? 

I’m opening for Johnny Drillel. And I’m going to be singing on the same stage where Katy Perry, all these famous musicians have, you know, sung before they even became famous. So it’s a dream come true. I’m happy to perform. I know it’s going to be an amazing night. 

Many artists wrestle with the balance between commercial appeal and creative authenticity. As someone who’s performed on mainstream platforms while cultivating a distinct sound, how do you navigate that intersection?

I just stay true to myself. Once I see something that is going to jeopardize everything I’ve worked so hard to do, I try to stay away from it. I just make sure that I do what I can at that stage. I am a very different musician. I’m not mainstream, I’m just me. I live for inspirational music, giving hope, and good vibes. And it has worked for me and the people that love me. I have my own fans, probably not the greatest numbers when it comes to the fan base, but the people who are with me are true to me, and that’s more than I can ask for. I can’t force anybody to like my type of music. But at the same time, there are people who really appreciate what I do and are rooting for me. So I owe it to them to just keep going. 

Working on your debut album in a writing camp suggests an intentional, immersive creative process. What themes or personal stories are central to this body of work?

I think this one is more of a retrospective album. I’m just reflecting on the years of my life since I started, and what I hoped I would be by now. But unfortunately, I am not there yet. So, how am I going to navigate life after my hopes have been shattered? Basically, that’s it. And it’s just a case of looking back and saying, you know what? I’m a strong woman. I haven’t achieved much, but other people think I’ve achieved a lot. While I’m here thinking that I’ve not achieved so much, I’m still putting a lot of pressure on myself. But it’s a case of looking back now and saying, I’m grateful for what I have.

Still on your incoming debut album, what unique elements, whether in your sound, storytelling, or cultural perspective, do you hope will stand out when audiences first encounter the project?

I would say something fresh, something new, something different. I’ve been telling everybody that Banke Naya is coming. I’ve been saying Naya because Naya means rebirth, renewal, and refresh. I want people to hear timeless music. It’s not just music that you just hear and it pops at that moment, then it goes. When you listen to Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey, these are people who have been able to create timeless sounds. I want people to hear timeless music in what I’m about to bring out. Naya is probably the name of the album, and I might be adding it to my name.