Skales

Raoul John Njeng-Njeng (born 1 April 1991), better known by his stage name 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, Nigeria. Between 2007 and 2008, he travelled to Jos to work with Jesse Jagz and Jeremiah Gyang. In 2008, he 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] He later relocated to Lagos and signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009.[3]

Skales
Sakles performing "Shaku Shaku" at the 24th edition of the Koroga Festival in December 2018
Background information
Birth nameRaoul John Njeng-Njeng
Born (1991-04-01) 1 April 1991
Kaduna State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2000–present[1]
Labels

Skales has collaborated with numerous artists, including Akon, ELDee, Tekno, Harmonize, Jeremiah Gyang, Banky W., and Knighthouse. His well-known songs include "Shake Body", "Mukulu", "Keresimesi", "Komole", "My Baby", "Take Care of Me" and "Denge Pose". After leaving E.M.E in May 2014, he set up the independent OHK Music record label. His debut studio album Man of the Year was released in 2015.[4]

Early life and career

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" was released to 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] His 2009 release "Heading for a Grammy" was inspired by Kanye West's "Jesus Walks". The experiences he was going through at the time helped shape the scope of the song, which is an ode to self empowerment.[8][9]

2009–14: Empire Mates Entertainment

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 different 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

In May 2014, Skales established his own record label, OHK music. The label is home to producer Drey Beatz and has affiliations with other music personnel within Nigeria. On 6 May 2014, Skales released the Jay Pizzle-produced track "Shake Body" 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] It was reported that Skales signed a record deal with Timaya's Dem Mama Records following his departure from E.M.E. In February 2014, Skales debunked the reports and said he didn't sign with Dem Mama Records.[19][20]

Personal life

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][21]

He was among several other celebrities like Davido, and Super Eagles player John Ogu to criticize Desmond Elliot for pushing social media regulation back in October 2020.[22]

On March 14, 2021, Skales announced his engagement to his girlfriend on Instagram. [23]

Discography

Studio albums
  • Man of the Year (2015)
  • The Never Say Never Guy (2017)
  • Mr Love (2018)

Compilation albums

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"[24]
"Shake Body" Man of the Year
2015 "Je Kan Mo" [25]
"Always" (featuring Davido)[26]
"I Am For Real"[27] 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]
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)[37][38]		 No Fear

See also

References
  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. 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. "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. "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. 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. Akintayo, Opeoluwani (30 December 2011). "EME's Skales escapes death". Vanguard. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  22. "Davido, Skales, others blast Desmond Elliot over social media regulation". Vanguard News. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  23. Ajanma, Soomto. "Skales Engages Girlfriend". bellanaija.com. Soomtee. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. "skales I am for real - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  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.
  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. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  36. "Skales – This Your Body Ft. Davido » DripNaija". Dripnaija. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  37. Miiro, Alann. "Beenie Gunter releases new Bomblast video featuring Nigerian singer Skales". Campus Times Uganda. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  38. Dhikusooka, Brian. "Beenie Gunter releases bomblast video featuring Skales". Cyclone Times. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
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