Skales
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 | 1 April 1991 Kaduna State,Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2000–present[1] |
| Labels |
|
Raoul John Njeng-Njeng(born 1 April 1991), better known by his stage nameSkales(an acronym forSeek Knowledge Acquire Large Entrepreneurial Skills), is aNigerianrapper, singer and songwriter. He relocated to Lagos and signed a record deal withEmpire Mates Entertainment(E.M.E) in 2009.[2]
In 2000, he started writing rap songs inKaduna,Nigeria. Between 2007 and 2008, he travelled toJosto work withJesse JagzandJeremiah Gyang.In 2008, he entered the Zain Tru Search competition and won the competition's North Central region. His debut single "Must Shine" received numerousspinon the Rhythm FM stations inLagos,Jos and Abuja.[3]Skales has collaborated with numerous artists, includingAkon,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 albumMan of the Yearwas released in 2015.[4]
Early life and career
[edit]A native ofEdo State,Raoul John Njeng-Njeng ( his surname is not to be confused withAespa'sNingning,a ChineseK-popsinger) was born and raised inKaduna 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 producersJeremiah GyangandJesse Jagzwhile attending theUniversity 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 attendedLead 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 withThis Daynewspaper 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 byKanye 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
[edit]Skales signed a record deal withE.M.Eafter meetingBanky W.in 2009. He released the singles "Mukulu" and "Keresimesi" simultaneously. Both songs were produced bySarzand released under the outfit. The music video for the latter track was directed byClarence Petersand 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 withBanky W.,Wizkid,Shaydee,NiyolaandDJ Xclusiveon 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 ofFelabration,a yearly concert dedicated toFela Kuti.[15]In February 2014,Vanguardnewspaper 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]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 albumMan 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 withTimaya'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
[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][21]
He was among several other celebrities likeDavido,andSuper EaglesplayerJohn Oguto criticizeDesmond Elliotfor pushing social media regulation back in October 2020.[22]
On March 14, 2021, Skales announced his engagement to his girlfriend on Instagram.[23]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Man of the Year(2015)
- The Never Say Never Guy(2017)
- Mr Love(2018)
Compilation albums
[edit]Selected singles
[edit]As lead artist
| ||
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Must Shine" | Non-album single |
| "Bo Se Se Mi" | ||
| "Goosebumps" | ||
| 2010 | "Ori Mi" (featuringWizkid) | |
| "Be Mine" | ||
| "Thank God It's Christmas" | ||
| 2014 | "Must Shine"[24] | |
| "Shake Body" | Man of the Year | |
| 2015 | "Je Kan Mo"[25] | |
| "Always"(featuringDavido)[26] | ||
| "I Am For Real"[27] | Non-album single | |
| "Jogodo"(featuringOritsefemi)[28] | The Never Say Never Guy | |
| 2016 | "Ajaga"(featuringTimayaandDavido)[29] | |
| "Nobody's Business"(featuringBanky W)[30] | Non-album single | |
| 2017 | "Agolo"[31] | |
| "For You"[32] | ||
| 2018 | "O'Crazy"[33] | |
| "Fire Waist"(featuringHarmonize)[34] | Mr Love | |
| 2019 | "Feposi"[35] | Non-album single |
| 2020 | "Oliver Twist II" (Remix)(featuring Falz and Harmonize) | |
| 2021 | "This Your Body"(featuringDavido)[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 featuringeLDeeand Skales) | ||
| "J'amalo" (El Phlex featuring Sheyman and Skales) |
School of Thoughts | |
| "Oju Kan (Remix)" (Tupengo featuring Skales, Seriki,Reminisce,Phenom, Kel andPatoranking) |
Non-album single | |
| 2018 | "Pon Mi Remix" byBeenie 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
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^"Singer Skales Floats Record Label".P.M. News. 8 May 2014.Retrieved29 July2014.
- ^"Skale's Biography & Updated profile – Latest Albums & Songs of Skales – Recent Pictures & Videos of Skale".Pulse. 11 March 2014.Retrieved31 July2014.
- ^"Skales Biography" Raoul John Njeng-Njeng "(Nigerian Music Artist)".Nigerianmusicnetwork. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2020.Retrieved13 November2013.
- ^Akan, Joey (20 February 2015)."Singer soon to release album, 'Man of the year'".Pulse.Retrieved5 March2015.
- ^Ayomide, O Tayo (9 September 2017)."Singer says he and Wizkid not friends".Pulseng.Retrieved9 September2017.
- ^Adeniran, Bisola (15 August 2012).""My mother sold sugarcane and bread to give me the best" – EME Rapper, Skales ".Daily Post Newspaper.Retrieved1 August2014.
- ^Young, Karen Eloke (19 May 2013)."Skales... Just A Moment".This Day. Archived fromthe originalon 8 August 2014.Retrieved31 July2014.
- ^"I do not envy Wizkid –Skales".Daily Times of Nigeria.Archived from the original on 9 August 2014.Retrieved31 July2014.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^Okon, Anna (20 October 2013)."I run from female fans – Skales".Punch. Archived fromthe originalon 14 April 2014.Retrieved31 July2014.
- ^ab"Nigerian Hip Hop: New Kids On The Block".P.M. News. 9 March 2012.Retrieved31 July2014.
- ^Boafo, Nana (24 November 2011)."E.M.E RAP STAR SKALES UNVEILS TWO NEW SINGLES" MUKULU "&" KERESIMESI "…. Videos to be released soon".Modern Ghana.Retrieved31 July2014.
- ^"Empire Mates Entertainment take on America".MTV Base.10 July 2012.Retrieved5 March2014.
- ^Dayo, Alayande."Banky W, Wizkid, Skales, Others Kick Off EME US Tour".The Nigerian Voice.Retrieved5 March2014.
- ^Onos, O (4 June 2012)."BN Bytes: The EME – Wizkid UK Takeover | Watch Day 2, 3 & 4 of Wizkid's UK Tour Diary".Bellanaija.Retrieved30 June2013.
- ^"(VIDEO): Wizkid, Skales, Sean Tizzle, Orezi Perform @ FELABRATION 2013".wadupnaija. Archived fromthe originalon 20 June 2014.Retrieved18 October2013.
- ^Mgbolu, Charles (21 February 2014)."Skales leaves E.M.E".Vanguard.Retrieved1 August2014.
- ^"Nigeria: Why EME, Skales Parted Ways!".allAfrica. 22 February 2014.Retrieved1 August2014.
- ^"Skales sets up record label".The Nigerian Tribune. 9 May 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 11 August 2014.Retrieved1 August2014.
- ^Opeoluwani, Akintayo (22 February 2014)."Skales Denies Rumour Reports".Daily Times of Nigeria.Retrieved31 July2014.
- ^"Skales denies signing with Timaya's Dem Mama Records".thenet.ng. 22 February 2014.Retrieved29 July2014.
- ^Akintayo, Opeoluwani (30 December 2011)."EME's Skales escapes death".Vanguard.Retrieved31 July2014.
- ^"Davido, Skales, others blast Desmond Elliot over social media regulation".Vanguard News.29 October 2020.Retrieved27 February2021.
- ^Ajanma, Soomto (15 March 2021)."Skales Engages Girlfriend".bellanaija.Soomtee.Retrieved23 March2021.
- ^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.Retrieved14 March2019.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^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.Retrieved14 March2019.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^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.Retrieved14 March2019.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^"skales I am for real - Google Search".google.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^"Skales - Jogodo ft. OritseFemi » tooXclusive".tooXclusive.23 April 2015.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^"Skales -" Ajaga "ft. Davido & Timaya » tooXclusive".tooXclusive.8 August 2016.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^"Skales -" Nobody's Business "ft. Banky W (Prod. By Killertunes) » tooXclusive".tooXclusive.15 June 2016.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^"Skales - Agolo [New Song] | Download MP3".tooXclusive.6 October 2017.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^Jasper, Kevin (2 May 2017)."DOWNLOAD MP3: Skales – For You".NaijaVibes.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^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.Retrieved14 March2019.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^"[Song] Skales -" Fire Waist "ft. Harmonize - Tooxclusive | MP3".tooXclusive.13 July 2018.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^"Skales -" Feposi "» tooXclusive | MP3".tooXclusive.17 January 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 5 February 2019.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^"Skales – I Still Dey (Remix) Ft. Spyro".HotMack.12 May 2024.Retrieved12 May2024.
- ^Miiro, Alann."Beenie Gunter releases new Bomblast video featuring Nigerian singer Skales".Campus Times Uganda.Retrieved21 September2019.
- ^Vincent, Endurance."Skales – How High I Feel".Hot9ja.Retrieved11 June2024.
