12th July, 2013
Seven years ago when gangling and good-looking Seun Bankole released his debut album, Faithful God, not many really paid him much attention or listened to the album to appreciate his artistry and versatility. In the intervening years, however, SB, as he is now fondly called, has mastered his craft, fine-tuned his voice to suit all genres of music and built a fan base that cuts across musical tastes and demographics.
SB has gradually won over many to the extent that he performs at some multinational company’s end of year parties, annual general meetings, celebrity weddings and birthday parties among others. That’s how well SB has evolved over the years.
Despite his mastery of several genres of music, he has chosen Gospel music, where he has obviously found his niche and is ready to etch his name in gold as his career continues on the upward swing.
His sophomore album, Great Grace, is a medley of praise and worship songs delivered in SB’s unique style. The launch of the album, which took place recently at the Grandeur Events Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, saw eminent Nigerians, entertainers, businessmen, pastors and the media troop out to felicitate with the talented singer.
At the glamorous event Pastor Anselm Madubuko, the General Overseer, Revival Assembly Church, Lagos, was full of praises for SB, while imploring him to do more for the Lord that gave him the singing talent.
“I am very happy with the turnout of prominent Nigerians today; it’s indeed symbolic of the fact that the little we are doing musically is being appreciated. I will not rest on my oars and I pray that God will give me more grace and inspiration to serve Him more,” responded the talented vocalist.
Growing up listening to the music of Don Moen, Ron Kenoly and Yinka Ayefele was all SB needed to discover his innate talent. Born in Mushin, Lagos, in the early 80s, the Ogun State native grew up in a music-loving family comprising three elder brothers and a younger brother.
The singer-songwriter-producer and multi- instrumentalist is a regular performer at different churches and evangelical programmes including TREM; Revival Assembly’s Azusa Concert; Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo’s Kingsway International Christian Centre; Conquerors Assembly; Grace Assembly; CAC Agbala Itura and RCCG parishes amongst several others.
SB also tends to the music desires of his secular fans as he performs every Thursday at highbrow celebrity hangout, Troy Lounge, Ogba, Lagos, owned by Sola Fajobi, creator of popular reality television shows, Next Movie Star and Supermom.
—Funsho Arogundade