Spotlight (Reekado Banks album)
{{Infobox album
| name = Spotlight
| type = studio
| artist = Reekado Banks
| cover = Reekado Banks - Spotlight.png
| alt =
| released = 1 September 2016
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 69:01
| label = Mavin
| producer =
- Don Jazzy
- Altims
- Babyfresh
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Off the Record
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Spotlight
| type = studio
| single1 = Katapot
| single1date = 13 February 2015
| single2 = Standard
| single2date = 6 June 2016
}}
}}
Spotlight is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Reekado Banks. Released through Mavin Records on 1 September 2016, the album features guest appearances from Patoranking, Falz, D'Prince, Vanessa Mdee, Kenny Blaq, and Sarkodie. Its production was handled by Don Jazzy, Altims, and Babyfresh. Spotlight reached number 10 on the Billboard World Albums chart. The album did not spawn any singles of its own; however, previously released singles "Katapot" and "Standard" appear as bonus tracks.
Background
Sometime in 2014, Reekado Banks's older brother, Temi Solomon, submitted some of his songs to Mavin Records as part of an online talent search, doing so without Reekado's knowledge. Out of over 5,000 submissions, his entries were selected, leading to his signing with the label.{{cite news|last1=Oluwadahunsi|first1=Olawale|url=http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/i-do-all-genres-of-music-reekado-banks/|title=I do all genres of music -Reekado Banks|work=National Mirror|date=12 November 2014|access-date=26 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318094200/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/i-do-all-genres-of-music-reekado-banks/|archive-date=18 March 2015|url-status=dead}}
Promotion
Don Jazzy promoted the album with his announcement on Twitter, tweeting "Reekado album loading… 2016" with the hashtags #AlbumWeyGoBurstBrain and #Reeky2016.{{cite news|last1=Bankole|first1=Taofik|url=https://thenet.ng/headies-next-rated-reekado-banks-to-release-debut-album/|title=Headies' Next Rated, Reekado Banks to release debut album|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today|date=27 May 2016|access-date=26 January 2025}}
Singles
Spotlight was housed by two singles which were released prior to the album as standalone tracks and later added as bonus tracks. The first single, "Katapot", was released on 13 February 2015.{{cite web|last1=Ofugara|first1=Ovie|url=http://notjustok.com/2015/02/13/premiere-reekado-banks-katapot-prod-don-jazzy/|title=PREMIERE: Reekado Banks – Katapot (Prod. Don Jazzy)|website=NotJustOk|date=13 February 2015|access-date=26 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623232858/http://notjustok.com/2015/02/13/premiere-reekado-banks-katapot-prod-don-jazzy/|archive-date=23 June 2015|url-status=dead}} Produced by Don Jazzy, it was misconceived by listeners as a diss track aimed at Don Jazzy's former Mo' Hits collaborators, D'banj and Wande Coal, due to its lyrics addressing envy and jealousy. Don Jazzy denied the allegations via Twitter, stating that he does not create diss tracks.{{cite news|last1=Showemimo|first1=Dayo|url=https://thenet.ng/no-beef-i-didnt-diss-dbanj-and-wande-coal-don-jazzy/|title=No Beef: 'I didn't diss D'banj and Wande Coal' – Don Jazzy|work=Nigerian Entertainment Today|date=13 February 2015|access-date=26 January 2025}} The second single "Standard" was released on 6 June 2016. It was produced by Altims.{{cite web|last1=Akin-Bankole|first1=Feyikemi|url=https://culturecustodian.com/music-standard-reekado-banks/|title=Music: Standard – Reekado Banks|website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.)|date=6 June 2016|access-date=26 January 2025}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = tooXclusive
| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}
| rev2 = Pulse Nigeria
| rev2score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}
| rev3 = Filterfree
}}
Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria described Spotlight as a "masterpiece" that combines personal storytelling with club-ready hits, showcasing his versatility in Afro-Caribbean, dancehall, and Afrobeat-inspired sounds. He concluded, "If any talent deserves to benefit from the business and affectionate nurturing of Don Jazzy, it’s surely Reekado Banks," and rated the album 3.5/5.{{cite news|last1=Akan|first1=Joey|url=http://pulse.ng/reviews/pulse-album-review-reekado-banks-embraces-his-pop-fame-on-spotlight-album-id5458742.html|title=Reekado Banks embraces his pop fame on "Spotlight" album|work=Pulse Nigeria|date=5 September 2016|access-date=26 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907014009/http://pulse.ng/reviews/pulse-album-review-reekado-banks-embraces-his-pop-fame-on-spotlight-album-id5458742.html|archive-date=7 September 2016|url-status=dead}} Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs described the album as a mixed bag, with 21 tracks that lacked focus and leaned too heavily on repetitive sounds and influences. While Reekado Banks showcased his versatility, the album failed to deliver a cohesive identity, with Okiche concluding that "Don Jazzy will always be fine but he doesn’t do this particular ‘child’ many favours here."{{cite web|last1=Okiche|first1=Wilfred|url=https://www.360nobs.com/2016/09/album-review-reekado-banks-spotlight/|title=Album Review: Reekado Banks – Spotlight|website=360nobs|date=28 September 2016|access-date=26 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929132831/https://www.360nobs.com/2016/09/album-review-reekado-banks-spotlight/|archive-date=29 September 2016|url-status=dead}}
Kvng Michael of tooXclusive described Spotlight as a decent effort with top-notch production but noted that its arrangement could have been better. He concluded, "All in all, it was a commendable effort from the 'Katapot' crooner," and rated the album 3.5/5.{{cite web|last1=Michael|first1=Kvng|url=https://tooxclusive.com/artist-album-reviews/album-review-reekado-banks-spotlight/|title=ALBUM REVIEW: Reekado Banks – Spotlight|website=tooXclusive|date=24 September 2016|access-date=26 January 2025}} Chiagoziem Onyekwena of Filterfree praised Spotlight as a debut showcasing Reekado Banks' versatility and personal storytelling, though he noted the album's lack of cohesion due to its many musical styles. Concluding that "Reekado Banks had a lot to say about his short time in the Spotlight and just enough musical pep in his step to make you want to listen to it again and again," the album was rated 63%.{{cite magazine|last1=Onyekwena|first1=Chiagoziem|url=https://filterfree.ng/reviews/reekado-banks-spotlight-album-review/|title=Reekado Banks – Spotlight [Album Review]|magazine=Filterfree|date=15 September 2016|access-date=26 January 2025}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Spotlight track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Hey Stranger
| writer1 = Ayoleyi Solomon
| extra1 = Altims
| length1 = 3:29
| title2 = Killah Whyna
| note2 = featuring Patoranking
| writer2 = {{hlist|Solomon|Patrick Okorie}}
| extra2 = Babyfresh
| length2 = 3:17
| title3 = Problem
| writer3 = Solomon
| extra3 = Babyfresh
| length3 = 3:05
| title4 = Koloba
| writer4 = Solomon
| extra4 = Altims
| length4 = 2:24
| title5 = Biggy Man
| note5 = featuring Falz
| writer5 = {{hlist|Solomon|Folarin Falana}}
| extra5 = Babyfresh
| length5 = 3:22
| title6 = Ladies and Gentlemen
| writer6 = Solomon
| extra6 = Altims
| length6 = 2:57
| title7 = Baby Oku
| writer7 = Solomon
| extra7 = Altims
| length7 = 3:21
| title8 = All Your Love
| note8 = featuring D'Prince
| writer8 = {{hlist|Solomon|Charles Enebeli}}
| extra8 = Babyfresh
| length8 = 3:06
| title9 = Change
| writer9 = Solomon
| extra9 = Don Jazzy
| length9 = 3:05
| title10 = Skit
| note10 = featuring Kenny Blaq
| writer10 =
| extra10 = —
| length10 = 2:02
| title11 = Move
| note11 = featuring Vanessa Mdee
| writer11 = {{hlist|Solomon|Vanessa Mdee}}
| extra11 = Altims
| length11 = 3:49
| title12 = Gbagbe
| writer12 = Solomon
| extra12 = Altims
| length12 = 2:48
| title13 = Love My Baby
| writer13 = Solomon
| extra13 = Don Jazzy
| length13 = 3:26
| title14 = Na Ur Boy
| writer14 = {{hlist|Solomon|Cupa Stonce}}
| extra14 = Don Jazzy
| length14 = 3:48
| title15 = Olaoluwa
| writer15 = Solomon
| extra15 = Don Jazzy
| length15 = 3:41
| title16 = Today
| writer16 = Solomon
| extra16 = Babyfresh
| length16 = 3:26
| title17 = Dangote
| writer17 = Solomon
| extra17 = Babyfresh
| length17 = 3:20
| title18 = Turn the Lights On
| writer18 = Solomon
| extra18 = Don Jazzy
| length18 = 4:16
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Bonus tracks
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title19 = Katapot
| writer19 = Solomon
| extra19 = Don Jazzy
| length19 = 4:00
| title20 = Oluwa Ni
| note20 = remix; featuring Sarkodie
| writer20 = {{hlist|Solomon|Michael Addo}}
| extra20 = Altims
| length20 = 3:30
| title21 = Standard
| writer21 = Solomon
| extra21 = Altims
| length21 = 2:49
| total_length = 69:01
}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from back cover.
- Altims — production (tracks 1, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 10, 21), mixing and mastering (tracks 1-3, 5-7, 9-15, 17-21)
- Babyfresh — production (tracks 2, 3, 5, 8, 16, 17)
- Don Jazzy — production (tracks 9, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19), executive producer
- Femi Leye - guitar (track 6)
- Peter Ajani — sax (track 16)
- Suka Sounds — mixing and mastering (tracks 4, 8, 16)
- Obi Somto - photography
- Clintivity Becreative - design
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release history and formats for Spotlight ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label |
| scope="row"| Various
| 1 September 2016 | {{hlist|CD|digital download}} | Mavin |
|---|