Empire Mates State of Mind

Empire Mates State of Mind is a compilation album by recording artists of Nigerian record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). It was released on June 18, 2012, by the label.[1] The album's production was handled by Legendury Beatz, Sarz, Masterkraft, Cobhams Asuquo, Kid Konnect and Spellz.[2] Empire Mates State of Mind features collaborations with X.O Senavoe, Rotimi and Basketmouth.[3][4] It produced seven singles—"Baddest Boy", "Dance for Me", "Get Down Tonight", "Ko Mo Le", "Sun Mo Mi", "Don't Delay Me (Don't Go There)" and "Change".

Not to be confused with Empire State of Mind.

Empire Mates State of Mind
Compilation album by Empire Mates Entertainment
Released	June 18, 2012
Recorded	2011–2012
Genre	Afropop reggae R&B pop
Label	Empire Mates Entertainment
Producer	Various Banky W (exec.) Segun Demuren (exec.) Stanley Ekure (exec.) Tunde Demuren (exec.) Legendury Beatz Sarz Masterkraft Cobhams Asuquo Kid Konnect Spellz
Banky W. chronology
The W Experience (2009) Empire Mates State of Mind (2012) R&BW (2013)
Wizkid chronology
Superstar (2011) Empire Mates State of Mind (2012) Ayo (2014)
Singles from Empire Mates State of Mind
"Baddest Boy" Released: April 2, 2012 "Dance for Me" Released: July 25, 2012 "Get Down Tonight" Released: August 1, 2012 "Ko Mo Le" Released: November 7, 2012 "Sun Mo Mi" Released: November 14, 2012 "Don't Delay Me (Don't Go There)" Released: November 21, 2012 "Change" Released: November 28, 2012

Background and recording

Banky W, Wizkid and Skales started recording songs for the album in 2011. Empire Mates State of Mind was initially scheduled for release on June 12, 2012, but ended up being postponed.[5] E.M.E released the album's final track listing on June 12.[2] On June 15 and 16, E.M.E organized a listening party/album launch to celebrate and promote the album.[6][7] The listening party was held at the Deuces Bar & Lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos.[8][9] Most of the songs on the album were recorded at E.M.E headquarters. Banky W told Beverly Bryan of MTV Iggy that living with Skales and Wizkid made the album easier to record.[10]

Spinlet

Empire Mates State of Mind was released exclusively on Spinlet, a digital media company.[11][12] As a means of promoting the album and its brand, Spinlet gave away 100,000 copies of the album to its subscribers.[11][12] Moreover, the album was made available for free digital download to the first 75,000 people who downloaded Spinlet's official mobile application.[13][14] Nigerian Entertainment Today posted a step by step tutorial on how Spinlet subscribers can download the album.[15]

Singles

The album's lead single "Baddest Boy" was released on April 2, 2012. The song was produced by Legendury Beatz and features contributing vocals by Wizkid, Skales and Banky W. The accompanying music video for "Baddest Boy" was directed by Clarence Peters and uploaded to YouTube on July 18, 2012. The Sarz-produced track "Dance for Me" was released on July 25, 2012, as the album's second single. The visuals for "Dance for Me" was directed by Sesan. The Sarz-produced track "Get Down Tonight" was released as the album's third single.[16][17] The music video for "Get Down Tonight" was directed by Moe Musa; its release marked the end of E.M.E Wednesdays.[18][19]

"Ko Mo Le" was released as the album's fourth single. The music video for the song was shot by 1st Impression in Washington DC.[20] The Masterkraft and Banky W-produced track "Sun Mo Mi" was released as the album's fifth single. The Clarence Peters-directed music video for the song features cameo appearances from Wizkid, Niyola, DJ Xclusive, Iyanya, Flowssick, Iceberg Slim and Slim T.[21] The Spellz-produced track "Don't Delay Me (Don't Go There)" was released as the album's sixth single. The visuals for the song features cameo appearances from Lynxxx, Gbenro, Dammy Krane, Skales, Shaydee and DJ Xclusive.[22] "Change" was released as the album's seventh single. The song addresses some of the plights Nigeria is currently facing.[10] The music video for "Change" was directed by Clarence Peters.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
TayoTV	8.5/10[23]
360nobs	7/10[24]
TooXclusive	[25]
Nigerian Entertainment Today	[26]

Empire Mates State of Mind received generally positive reviews from music critics. A writer for TayoTV awarded the album 8.5 stars out of 10, commending the work of each artist.[23] Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs granted the album a rating of 7 out of 10, stating that "it is unabashed in owning up to its motives". Okiche also said the album's production "may become repetitive at some point despite the variety of producers involved".[24] Ayomide Tayo of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5, characterizing it as "one directional at times, with its emphasis on party music". Tayo also opined that all of the artists brought "their own style to each song, saving the project from not being too repetitive."[26] Ogaga Sakapide of TooXclusive gave the album 3 stars out of 5, describing it as "monotonous, tired club-beats and too lengthy". Sakapide acknowledged Wizkid, Niyola and Wellington and further stated that the album is "pretty solid".[25]

Accolades

Empire Mates State of Mind was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[27]

Year	Awards ceremony	Award description(s)	Results
2013	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best Album of the Year	Nominated

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Baddest Boy" (featuring Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W.)	Ayodeji Balogun Olubankole Wellington Raoul John Njeng-Njeng	Legendury Beatz[28]	4:00
2.	"Get Down Tonight" (featuring Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W.)	Balogun Wellington Njeng-Njeng	Sarz	3:49
3.	"Sun Mo Mi" (featuring Shaydee, Skales, Banky W.)	Shadrach Adeboye Njeng-Njeng Wellington	Masterkraft Banky W [21]	4:06
4.	"Hate, Pt. 1" (featuring Basketmouth)	Bright Okpocha	—	1:12
5.	"Roll It" (featuring Wizkid and Banky W.)	Balogun Wellington	Spellz	2:51
6.	"Find My Trouble" (featuring Banky W., Shaydee, and Skales)	Wellington Adeboye Njeng-Njeng	Spellz	3:56
7.	"Body" (featuring Wizkid)	Balogun	Shizzi	2:57
8.	"Ko Mo Le" (featuring Skales)	Njeng-Njeng	Sarz[20]	4:19
9.	"Dance" (featuring Banky W. and X.O Senavoe)	Wellington X.O Senavoe	Cobhams Asuquo	3:51
10.	"Don't Delay Me (Don't Go There)" (featuring Niyola)	Eniola Akinbo	Spellz[29]	4:16
11.	"London Girl" (featuring Wizkid)	Balogun	Spellz	3:43
12.	"Hate, Pt. 2" (featuring Basketmouth)	Bright Okpocha	—	1:08
13.	"Dance for Me" (featuring Wizkid)	Balogun	Sarz[30]	2:51
14.	"Follow Go House" (Skales, Shaydee and Banky W.)	Njeng-Njeng Adeboye Wellington	Spellz	4:47
15.	"My Baby" (featuring Skales)	Njeng-Njeng	Sarz	3:56
16.	"Only You" (featuring Banky W., Shaydee, and Rotimi)	Wellington Adeboye Rotimi	Masterkraft	4:52
17.	"Reppin' Emeazzyyy" (featuring Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W.)	Balogun Njeng-Njeng Olubankole Wellington	Kid Konnect	4:31
18.	"Wetin' I Want" (featuring Skales and Niyola)	Njeng-Njeng Akinbo	Legendury Beatz	4:26
19.	"Change" (featuring Banky W., Wizkid, Skales, Shaydee, Niyola, and DJ Xclusive)	Wellington Balogun Njeng-Njeng Adeboye Akinbo	Spellz	4:23
20.	"See My Mama" (featuring Wizkid, Banky W., and Shaydee)	Balogun Wellington Adeboye	Legendury Beatz	4:07
21.	"Hate, Pt. 3" (featuring Basketmouth)	Okpocha	—	1:16
22.	"Can't Stop Us" (featuring Banky W., Wizkid, Skales, Shaydee, Niyola, and X.O Senavoe)	Wellington Balogun Njeng-Njeng Adeboye Akinbo X.O Senavoe	Masterkraft	4:09
Total length:				74:86

Notes

• "—" denotes a skit

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's back cover.[31]

• Olubankole Wellington – primary artist, writer, executive producer
• Segun Demuren – executive producer
• Stanley "Tino Bendel" Ekure – A&R, co-executive producer, management
• Tunde Demuren – A&R, co-executive producer
• Ayodeji Balogun – primary artist, writer
• Raoul John Njeng-Njeng – primary artist, writer
• Shadrach Adeboye – primary artist, writer
• Eniola Akinbo – primary artist, writer
• X.O Senavoe – featured artist
• Rotimi – featured artist
• Bright Okpocha – skit performer, writer
• Legendury Beatz – producer
• Sarz – producer
• Masterkraft – producer
• Cohbams Asuquo – producer
• Kid Konnect – producer
• Spellz – producer
• Suka "The Surgeon" Andrew – mix and master engineer
• Anuel Modebe – photography
• Seyi Charles George – photography
• Obi Somto – photography
• Osagie Osarenkhoe – management

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Nigeria	July 4, 2012	CD, Digital download	Empire Mates Entertainment

References

1. "News:-EME's Empire Mates State of Mind Album Gets New Release Date". Nigerian Sounds. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
2. "Tracklisting from EME All Stars' 'Empire Mates State of Mind' released". YNaija. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
3. "BN Bytes: Empire Mates State of Mind - The First Ever EME All Stars Collaboration Album". Bellanaija. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
4. "New Music: 'Empire Mates State Of Mind' Album by EME". NGTrends. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
5. "EME'S EMPIRE MATES STATE OF MIND ALBUM RELEASE DATE AND TRACK LIST ANNOUNCED; NEW LABEL MATES FEATURED". HipHopWorldMagazine. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
6. "PICTURES – EMPIRE MATES STATE OF MIND ALBUM LAUNCH/ LISTENING PARTY". HipHopWorldMagazine. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
7. "In Pictures: EME Empire State Of Mind Album Launch". Jaguda. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
8. "BN Exclusive: 2Face, Sasha, Kel, Tiwa Savage, eLDee, Lynxxx, Samklef, Praiz, Don Jazzy & More Party with EME Artistes at their "Empire Mates State of Mind" Album Launch Soiree in Lagos". Bellanaija. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
9. "Pictures from EME album launch party". DailyPost. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
10. "Welcome To The Empire Mates State Of Mind". MTVIggy. September 7, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
11. "EME's All-Star Album 'Empire Mates State of Mind' Debuts Exclusively on Spinlet". Reuters. 18 June 2012. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
12. "EME's All-Star Album 'Empire Mates State of Mind' Debuts Exclusively on Spinlet". American City Business Journals. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
13. "Press Release: Spinlet to give away 75,000 copies of EME Records' Empire Mates State of Mind Album". CP Africa. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
14. "DOWNLOAD: 'Empire Mates State Of Mind' Album by EME on SPINLET". Naijareview. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
15. "How to Download Empire Mates State of Mind Album On Spinlet". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
16. "Get Down Tonight- E.M.E ft Wizkid, Banky W, & Skales". Empire Mates Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
17. "VIDEO: E.M.E ft. WizKid, Banky W. & Skales – Get Down Tonight". Notjustok. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
18. "WATCH: EME premieres Get Down Tonight video featuring Banky W, Skales and Wizkid". YNaija. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
19. "VIDEO: E.M.E – Get Down Tonight ft Wizkid, Banky W & Skales". tooxclusive. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
20. "Get Down Tonight - E.M.E ft Wizkid, Banky W, & Skales". Empire Mates Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
21. "Sun Mo Mi- E.M.E ft Banky W, Skales, & Shaydee". Empire Mates Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
22. "BN Video Premiere: E.M.E. Presents Niyola – Don't Go There (Don't Delay Me)". Bellanaija. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
23. "[Review] Empire Mates State Of Mind - E.M.E All Stars". TayoTv. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
24. "EME – Empire Mates State of Mind …Naija Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Review)". 360nobs. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
25. "ALBUM REVIEW: EME 'EMPIRE MATES STATE OF MIND'". tooxclusive. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
26. "EME – Empire State of Mind [Album Review]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
27. "Nigerian Entertainment Award announces 2013 nominees". Premium Times Nigeria. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
28. "Baddest Boy - E.M.E ft Banky W, Wizkid, and Skales". Empire Mates Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
29. "Niyola debuts with 'Don't Go There (Don't Delay Me)' music video featuring Lynxxx". Ameyaw Debrah. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
30. "Dance for Me - E.M.E ft Wizkid". Empire Mates Entertainment. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
31. "Tracklisting Image". YNaija. 12 June 2013. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.