₦airaland Forum

‘I thought I could do it,’ Reekado Banks says leaving Mavin Records was premature


Nigerian Afrobeats star, Ayoleyi Solomon, popularly called Reekado Banks, has opened up once again about his decision to leave Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, describing the move as “premature.”

In a snippet of his interview with Echo Room Podcast, shared on Instagram on Tuesday, the singer revealed that although there was no conflict surrounding his departure, he was young and determined to forge his own path.

“It 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 that ended two years prior. I signed a three-year contract and I allowed it to ride for another two years. So I was there for five years, not like reviewing the contract or anything. So when it was time, I thought I wanted to do this now,” Reekado Banks explained.

The Easy (Jeje) crooner admitted that he quickly realised how hasty the decision was.

“You know, I thought I could do it now. And I just embarked on the journey. Like many people would view it premature. And as soon as I jumped into the sea as well, I realized how premature it was,” he said.

When asked about the best advice he had ever received from Don Jazzy, Reekado recalled a humorous but impactful moment.

“It wasn’t even advice. He just said, ‘I’m not going to beat you.” Nobody go beat me,’” the singer recounted, laughing.

This is not the first time Reekado has reflected on his Mavin exit.

Earlier, in July 2025, he told The Esther Show that leaving the label forced him to grow up fast, teaching him lessons about accountability and self-reliance.

He noted that staying longer under Don Jazzy’s guidance might have made him feel entitled and less willing to own up to failures.

Reekado Banks had announced his departure from Mavin Records in 2018, describing his exit as amicable and filled with gratitude. At the time, he praised Don Jazzy for treating him like a son and providing him with a platform that shaped his career.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/video-i-thought-i-could-do-it-reekado-banks-says-leaving-mavin-records-was-premature/%3famp

Mumu
You no gree learn from Dbanj and wande mistake....

This guy get sweet voice no be small.

Him and Korode Bello just left the Mavin record sharp sharp

Hezzyluv:
This guy get sweet voice no be small.

Him and Korode Bello just left the Mavin record sharp sharp

This is why rema dare not to leave


Aaaaaaaaaaaaa

Good for you,I was angry that he left early

Any platform that made you popular, never you think you’re bigger than them by opting to leave them, because that will be the beginning of your end … check all celebrities in different lines of work or career that towed that part how they ended…

Instead of leaving, make a better deal out of your new contract, definitely your boss or management will be willing to listen especially after they seeing you turned down some good juicy deals to remain.

If you must get new deals from new owners, let it be a collaboration with your original parent management, so invariably you work for both managements or companies

He should go and ask alhaji Tekno how being a solo artist feels like...


Most Nigerian acts just want to jump out and start their own record labels, mehn it doesn't work like that.



Okay in a record labels, people take care of your show venues, promotions, bookings, accommodations etc... you have access to world class features and productions.


Then you feel all high and mighty and feel you're doing so well that the record label is stealing from you and your mighty talent....


Ask Lyta, ask Lil kesh, ask Koredo Belllo etc...

Talents alone doesn't make one a successful musician.....


Na why I dey hail the few wey manage succeed after leaving their initial labels, people like wizzy and kizz Daniels. Funny thing, the later still went back to employ Emperor Geezy to still manage him, same way Tekno did with Ubi...


I just dey look my darling Asake with one eyes...

You need more than just talent to set up your own record label.No be every body get the type of grace kizzDaniel and Bnxn carry. We obviously can't deny reekadi banks was immensely talented.

Small money upcoming artists hand them go begin feel untop of the world.

Powerbandooo:
This is why rema dare not to leave


Aaaaaaaaaaaaa

Rema has left since past year na

Xxxxxxxxxx xxxxx

Yep.
The grass is not always greener..


Ujjjjojjjjjjj8

Sometimes it is better to stay where you made it most in Life

Na now when Jay-Z take over u come dey regret

U no be streets, you wan fly solo.......Go ask olamide how e dey run tins...

Too late hommie!

What happens when you act before thinking.

Sometimes, when you're in a rush, you run into serious trouble. Greed made you leave the records. I'm happy don jazzy is a good man, else he would have dealt with you and others who abruptly left the Marvin's record

You wanted to start taking all the 100% alone, you thought all the shows were all by your doings you forgot that for every package is a great brand to appeal people

Therock5555:
He should go and ask alhaji Tekno how being a solo artist feels like...


Most Nigerian acts just want to jump out and start their own record labels, mehn it doesn't work like that.



Okay in a record labels, people take care of your show venues, promotions, bookings, accommodations etc... you have access to world class features and productions.


Then you feel all high and mighty and feel you're doing so well that the record label is stealing from you and your mighty talent....


Ask Lyta, ask Lil kesh, ask Koredo Belllo etc...

Talents alone doesn't make one a successful musician.....


Na why I dey hail the few wey manage succeed after leaving their initial labels, people like wizzy and kizz Daniels. Funny thing, the later still went back to employ Emperor Geezy to still manage him, same way Tekno did with Ubi...


I just dey look my darling Asake with one eyes...

kiss Daniel employed emperor geezy?

Don't let me argue, let me grok it first

Brb

Lesson learnt. Take this advice to all sphere of life. When you find yourself in a situation of independence seek wise counsel. Very helpful

He thought he has made money..

When he converted it to US dollars he was shocked that he has little..
😏

Don Jazzy treated you like a son and provided you with a platform that shaped your career, but you decided to leave him and prematurely? Dumb move. Now where's that career?

Truly Reekado messed up by leaving Marvin record as at the time he left. Korede Bello has nothing to offer since after his Godwin single but remain with the Mavin record but Reekado wan form staunch, now he is nowhere in the scheme of things

Most people are quick to start downplaying the path that gave them breakthrough and overestimating their strength and abilities.

For all your strength, talent and abilities, there are hundreds of thousands if not millions better than you , but very unknown with no pedestal and not anywhere near you. Pause and think, time and chance happen to us all. Respect anyone that gives you a lifeline.

Ojukokoro killed u ... guythought he would be wizzy over night without delivering for ur label before exit

Small money and fame wey done dey get ur head come big think say u don't need ur density helpers again. That's the mindset of an average Nigerian (BETRAYAL).

Who think say e don over bellyful today must hungry tomorrow. Na must.Hunger don dey mamaram big time. Don't ever be in a hurry to leave your benefactor. More so say e come dey attack am after he left. Who know rekado bank b4 Marvin records bring am? Who know am now? Na so that artist lyta wey dey with olamide,lyta, Hears he now sings at burial ceremonies and birthday parties. Where is that female musician again wey dey with either olamide or psquare b4

SolaOmoniyi:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/video-i-thought-i-could-do-it-reekado-banks-says-leaving-mavin-records-was-premature/%3famp

Now e don dey regret when this matter start that year, i remember, this guy dey make noise and mouth esp that his brother wey be manager we dey use the opportunity dem opueh girls. eye don clear

You don see why you need 4+1+2+3 years to earn PhD for school. Na so e be for music.
If you jump out fast, you fit use your head meet ground.

Gen-Z people, learn more patience or else, Una go learn the hard way.

They are seeing how patience is paying off on Rema .....

Temi ovwasa if i am correct. It was olamide. Small fame She ditched YBNL. She dey twitter dey rant now. She con draw tatto all over her body

Creamypie:
Who think say e don over bellyful today must hungry tomorrow. Na must.Hunger don dey mamaram big time. Don't ever be in a hurry to leave your benefactor. More so say e come dey attack am after he left. Who know rekado bank b4 Marvin records being am? Who know am now? Na so that artist lyta wey dey with olamide,lyta? Hears he now sings at burial ceremonies and birthday parties. Where is that female musician again wey dey with either olamide or psquare b4

DonBenny77:
Mumu
You no gree learn from Dbanj and wande mistake....

Did u mention Dbanj ? Haba if no know something try to dey ask biko

Fireboy wey remain in YBNL no mumu na. Fame dey shark many of dem