Skales

Nigerian rapper (born 1991)

For the Ninjago character, see Skales (Ninjago).

Skales

Skales performing "Shaku Shaku" at the 24th edition of the Koroga Festival in December 2018

Background information
Birth name| Raoul John Njeng-Njeng
Born|  (1991-04-01) 1 April 1991 (age 34)
Kaduna State, Nigeria
Genres|

* Hip hop
* R&B

Occupations|

* Rapper
* singer
* songwriter

Instrument| Vocals
Years active| 2000–present[1]
Labels|

* Baseline
* OHK Music

Musical artist

Raoul John Njeng-Njeng (born 1 April 1991), better known as Skales (an acronym for "Seek Knowledge Acquire Large Entrepreneurial Skills"), is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2000, he started writing rap songs in Kaduna. Between 2007 and 2008, he travelled to Jos to work with Jesse Jagz and Jeremiah Gyang. In 2008, Skakes entered the Zain Tru Search competition and won the competition's North Central region. His debut single, "Must Shine", received numerous spin on the Rhythm FM stations in Lagos, Jos and Abuja.[2]

Skales relocated to Lagos and signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009.[3] His well-known songs include "Shake Body", "Mukulu", "Keresimesi", "Komole", "My Baby", "Take Care of Me" and "Denge Pose". He set up his independent record label, OHK Music, after leaving E.M.E in May 2014. His debut studio album, Man of the Year, was released in 2015.[4]

## Early life and career

[edit]

A native of Edo State, Raoul John Njeng-Njeng was born and raised in Kaduna State.[5] He grew up in a single-parent household with his mother, who did menial jobs to nurture him. Skales became interested in music while regularly attending his mother's cassette store.[6] He met producers Jeremiah Gyang and Jesse Jagz while attending the University of Jos (Unijos). He took part in the Zain Tru Search Competition during his time at Unijos and won the competition's North Central region. Skales left Unijos his junior year and attended Lead City University, where he graduated with a degree in office management and technology. His debut single, "Must Shine", received positive critical acclaim. In an interview with This Day newspaper in 2013, Skales described himself as an entertainer whose music is influenced by his surroundings.[7] The song "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West served as the inspiration for his 2009 track "Heading for a Grammy". An anthem to self-empowerment, the song was shaped in part by the events he was going through at the time.[8][9]

### 2009–14: Empire Mates Entertainment

[edit]

Skales signed a record deal with E.M.E after meeting Banky W. in 2009. He released the singles "Mukulu" and "Keresimesi" simultaneously; both songs were produced by Sarz and released under the outfit. The music video for the latter track was directed by Clarence Peters and uploaded to YouTube on 28 November 2011.[10][11] Skales was one of the main acts on E.M.E's debut compilation album, Empire Mates State of Mind (2012). He collaborated with Banky W., Wizkid, Shaydee, Niyola and DJ Xclusive on five of the album's seven singles. He also toured with some of the aforementioned acts on the EME US Tour, which kicked off on 4 July and ended on 2 September 2012. E.M.E acts performed in several cities, including Houston, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, New York City, Providence, Calgary, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.[12][13] Skales supported Wizkid on his tour of London in 2012.[14] On 17 October 2013, he performed at the 2013 edition of Felabration, a yearly concert dedicated to Fela Kuti.[15] In February 2014, Vanguard newspaper reported that Skales left E.M.E following the expiration of his four-year recording contract. E.M.E executives believed they were not getting remunerated for investing in him and refused to renew his contract.[16][17]

### OHK Music establishment

[edit]

Skales founded OHK Music, his own record label, in May 2014. The label has connections to various musicians in Nigeria and is home to producer Drey Beatz. Skales released the Jay Pizzle-produced track "Shake Body" on May 6, 2014, as the lead single from his debut studio album Man of the Year. The accompanying music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube on 22 July 2014. Skales promoted the song by announcing the Shake Body video competition.[18] Skales reportedly signed a record deal with Timaya's Dem Mama Records following his departure from E.M.E. In February 2014, he debunked the reports and said he didn't sign with Dem Mama Records.[19][20]

In April 2025, Skales reached a career milestone, surpassing one million monthly listeners on Spotify. In April 2025, the number rose to two million monthly listeners on the platform. [21]

In April 2025, Skales performed in Barcelona following Barcelona's Copa del Rey final win over Real Madrid. [22]

## Personal life

[edit]

In December 2011, Skales was involved in a car accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. The car he was in ran into a ditch and somersaulted. The accident left one dead and three injured.[10][23] On March 14, 2021, Skales announced his engagement to his girlfriend on Instagram. [24]

## Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

* Man of the Year (2015)
* The Never Say Never Guy (2017)
* Mr Love (2018)
* Sweet Distractions (2022)

EPs

* Healing Process (2020)
* Proof of Life (2023)

Compilation albums

* Empire Mates State of Mind (2012)

Collaborative albums

* Volumes (with Jay Pizzle) (2024)

|

Selected singles

As lead artist

Year  | Title  | Album
2009  | "Must Shine"  | Non-album single
"Bo Se Se Mi"
"Goosebumps"
2010  | "Ori Mi"
(featuring Wizkid)
"Be Mine"
"Thank God It's Christmas"
2014  | "Must Shine"[25]
"Shake Body"  | Man of the Year
2015  | "Je Kan Mo" [26]
"Always" (featuring Davido)[27]
"I Am For Real"  | Non-album single
"Jogodo" (featuring Oritsefemi)[28] | The Never Say Never Guy
2016  | "Ajaga" (featuring Timaya and Davido)[29]
"Nobody's Business" (featuring Banky W)[30] | Non-album single
2017  | "Agolo"[31]
"For You"[32]
2018  | "O'Crazy"[33]
"Fire Waist" (featuring Harmonize)[34] | Mr Love
2019  | "Feposi"[35] | Non-album single
2020  | "Oliver Twist II" (Remix) (featuring Falz and Harmonize)
2021  | "This Your Body" (featuring Davido)[36]
2025  | "D.L.L.Y"[37] |

As featured artist

2010  | "God's Love"  | The Return of Jeremiah
"Meet Me at the Top"
(LayLow featuring Iceberg Slim, CartiAir, Modenine, Terry Tha Rapman, Skales, Vector, Da Grin, Ludu and Gino) | Non-album single
"Move Your Body"
(DJ KaySmith featuring Skales) | Naija Hottest Singles Vol 1 Mixtape
"Laba Laba"
(Samklef featuring Skales) | Non-album single
"Blackberry"
(Leo Wonder featuring Skales)
"Mary Jane"
(Christine Ben-Ameh featuring Skales)
2011  | "Fall Back"
(Beazy featuring Pope, Loose Kaynon and Skales)
"Eguono" (Remix)
(Kefee featuring Skales)
"Superstar" (Remix)
(Contradiction featuring Skales)
"My Money" (Remix)
(Sheyman featuring eLDee and Skales)
"J'amalo"
(El Phlex featuring Sheyman and Skales) | School of Thoughts
"Oju Kan" (Remix)
(Tupengo featuring Skales, Seriki, Reminisce, Phenom, Kel and Patoranking) | Non-album single
2018  | "Pon Mi" (Remix) by Beenie Gunter
(featuring Skales, DJ Slickstuart, DJ Roja)
"Olina Work" by Beenie Gunter
(featuring Skales)
2019  | "Bomblast" by Beenie Gunter
(featuring Skales)[38][39] | No Fear

## See also

[edit]

* Biography portal

* List of Nigerian musicians

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Singer Skales Floats Record Label". P.M. News. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
2. ^ "Skales Biography "Raoul John Njeng-Njeng" (Nigerian Music Artist)". Nigerianmusicnetwork. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
3. ^ "Skale's Biography & Updated profile – Latest Albums & Songs of Skales – Recent Pictures & Videos of Skale". Pulse. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
4. ^ Akan, Joey (20 February 2015). "Singer soon to release album, 'Man of the year'". Pulse. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
5. ^ Ayomide, O Tayo (9 September 2017). "Singer says he and Wizkid not friends". Pulseng. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
6. ^ Adeniran, Bisola (15 August 2012). ""My mother sold sugarcane and bread to give me the best" – EME Rapper, Skales". Daily Post Newspaper. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
7. ^ Young, Karen Eloke (19 May 2013). "Skales... Just A Moment". This Day. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
8. ^ "I do not envy Wizkid –Skales". Daily Times of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
9. ^ Okon, Anna (20 October 2013). "I run from female fans – Skales". Punch. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
10. ^ a b "Nigerian Hip Hop: New Kids On The Block". P.M. News. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
11. ^ Boafo, Nana (24 November 2011). "E.M.E RAP STAR SKALES UNVEILS TWO NEW SINGLES "MUKULU" & "KERESIMESI" …. Videos to be released soon". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
12. ^ "Empire Mates Entertainment take on America". MTV Base. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
13. ^ Dayo, Alayande. "Banky W, Wizkid, Skales, Others Kick Off EME US Tour". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
14. ^ Onos, O (4 June 2012). "BN Bytes: The EME – Wizkid UK Takeover | Watch Day 2, 3 & 4 of Wizkid's UK Tour Diary". Bellanaija. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
15. ^ "(VIDEO) : Wizkid, Skales, Sean Tizzle, Orezi Perform @ FELABRATION 2013". wadupnaija.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
16. ^ Mgbolu, Charles (21 February 2014). "Skales leaves E.M.E". Vanguard. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
17. ^ "Nigeria: Why EME, Skales Parted Ways !". allAfrica.com. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
18. ^ "Skales sets up record label". The Nigerian Tribune. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
19. ^ Opeoluwani, Akintayo (22 February 2014). "Skales Denies Rumour Reports". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
20. ^ "Skales denies signing with Timaya's Dem Mama Records". thenet.ng. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
21. ^ Ibaningo, Queen (13 May 2025). "Skales' Decade-Old Hit 'Shake Body' Goes Viral Again, Breaks Spotify Milestones". TV360 Nigeria. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
22. ^ "VIDEO: Skales performs at Barcelona's Copa del Rey party, meets Lamine Yamal, mother | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
23. ^ Akintayo, Opeoluwani (30 December 2011). "EME's Skales escapes death". Vanguard. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
24. ^ Ajanma, Soomto (15 March 2021). "Skales Engages Girlfriend". bellanaija.com. Soomtee. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
25. ^ Reserved, Checkout these hot section on NL Naijaloaded © 2009-2019 All Rights (29 September 2014). "Download Mp3: Skales - Must Shine". Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website. Retrieved 14 March 2019.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
26. ^ Reserved, Checkout these hot section on NL Naijaloaded © 2009-2019 All Rights (20 January 2015). "Download Mp3:Skales – Je Kan Mo + I Am For Real". Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website. Retrieved 14 March 2019.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
27. ^ Reserved, Checkout these hot section on NL Naijaloaded © 2009-2019 All Rights (13 May 2015). "Download Mp3: Skales Ft. Davido - Always". Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website. Retrieved 14 March 2019.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
28. ^ "Skales - Jogodo ft. OritseFemi » tooXclusive". tooXclusive. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
29. ^ "Skales - "Ajaga" ft. Davido & Timaya » tooXclusive". tooXclusive. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
30. ^ "Skales - "Nobody's Business" ft. Banky W (Prod. By Killertunes) » tooXclusive". tooXclusive. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
31. ^ "Skales - Agolo [New Song] | Download MP3". tooXclusive. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
32. ^ Jasper, Kevin (2 May 2017). "DOWNLOAD MP3: Skales – For You". NaijaVibes. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
33. ^ Reserved, Checkout these hot section on NL Naijaloaded © 2009-2019 All Rights (9 March 2018). "[Music] Skales - O'Crazy » Naijaloaded". Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website. Retrieved 14 March 2019.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
34. ^ "[Song] Skales - "Fire Waist" ft. Harmonize - Tooxclusive | MP3". tooXclusive. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
35. ^ "Skales - "Feposi" » tooXclusive | MP3". tooXclusive. 17 January 2019. Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
36. ^ "Skales – I Still Dey (Remix) Ft. Spyro". HotMack. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
37. ^ Elmalawx (8 May 2025). "Skales - D.L.L.Y (Dance Like Lamine Yamal) Mp3 Download". Retrieved 15 May 2025.
38. ^ Miiro, Alann. "Beenie Gunter releases new Bomblast video featuring Nigerian singer Skales". Campus Times Uganda. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
39. ^ Vincent, Endurance. "Skales – How High I Feel". Hot9ja. Retrieved 11 June 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Skales.

* Skales at SoundCloud

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