Raoul John Njeng-Njeng (born 1 April 1991), better known as Skales, is a talented Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter.
In Kaduna, Nigeria, he began writing rap songs in 2000. He went to Jos to perform alongside Jesse Jagz and Jeremiah Gyang in 2007 and 2008.
He entered the Zain Tru Search competition in 2008 and won the North Central area. His debut single “Must Shine” was played on Rhythm FM stations in Lagos, Jos, and Abuja. In 2009, he relocated to Lagos and signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E).
Skales has worked with a variety of musicians, including Akon, eLDee, Tekno, Harmonize, Jeremiah Gyang, Banky W, and Knighthouse. His hit songs include “Shake Body,” “Mukulu,” “Keresimesi,” “Komole,” “My Baby,” “Take Care of Me,” and “Denge Pose.”
He founded the independent OHK Music record label after quitting E.M.E in May 2014. Man of the Year, his debut studio album, was released in 2015.
Early Life & Education
Skales, who hails from Edo State, was reared only by his mother, who was an unskilled worker. He was born in Jos, Kaduna State, Nigeria on April 1, 1991.
Skales’ mother owned a tape store when he was growing up, and it was there that he developed a keen interest in music.
Skales attended the University of Jos and the Lead City University in Ibadan for his tertiary studies. He dropped out of the University of Jos in his junior year and later graduated from Lead City University with a degree in Office Management and Technology, according to documents.
Career
Skales became interested in music after visiting his mother’s tape store on a frequent basis. While attending the University of Jos (UNIJOS), he met producers Jeremiah Gyang and Jesse Jagz. He competed in the Zain Tru Search Competition at Unijos and won the North Central region.
Skales dropped out of UNIJOS in his junior year to attend Lead City University, where he earned a degree in office management and technology. His debut single “Must Shine” received positive reviews.
Skales defined himself as an entertainer whose music is influenced by his environment in an interview with This Day newspaper in 2013. “Heading for a Grammy” was inspired by Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” in 2009. The experiences he was having influenced the scope of the song, which is a hymn to self-empowerment.
After meeting Banky W in 2009, Skales secured a record deal with E.M.E. He released the singles “Mukulu” and “Keresimesi” at the same time. Sarz produced both songs, which were released under the label. Clarence Peters directed the music video for the latter tune, which was published to YouTube on November 28, 2011.
Skales was one of the key acts on Empire Mates State of Mind (2012), E.M.E.’s debut album. On five of the album’s seven hits, he worked with Banky W, Wizkid, Shaydee, Niyola, and DJ Xclusive. He also toured with several of the above-mentioned groups on the EME US Tour, which began on July 4 and finished on September 2, 2012.
Houston, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, New York City, Providence, Calgary, Atlanta, Washington DC, and Chicago were among the cities where E.M.E performers performed. Skales accompanied Wizkid on his London tour in 2012. He performed at the 2013 edition of Felabration, a yearly concert devoted to Fela Kuti, on October 17, 2013.
Skales departed E.M.E after his four-year recording deal expired in February 2014, according to Vanguard newspaper. E.M.E executives declined to renew his contract because they considered they were not being compensated for their investment in him.
Skales launched his own musical label, OHK Music, in May 2014. The label is home to producer Drey Beatz and has connections to other musicians in Nigeria. He released the Jay Pizzle-produced tune “Shake Body” as the lead single from his debut studio album Man of the Year on May 6, 2014. On July 22, 2014, the song’s accompanying music video was published to YouTube.
Skales promoted the song by introducing a video competition called Shake Body. Skales was said to have secured a record deal with Timaya’s Dem Mama Records after leaving E.M.E. Skales denied the reports in February 2014, claiming that he had not signed with Dem Mama Records.
Personal Life
Skales was involved in a car accident on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in December 2011. He was in a car that crashed into a ditch and somersaulted. One person was killed and three others were injured in the collision.
He was among several celebrities, including Davido and Super Eagles player John Ogu, who chastised Desmond Elliot for pushing out social media regulation until October 2020.
Skales confirmed his engagement to his girlfriend on Instagram on March 14th, 2021. He married his longtime lover, Hassanity Precious. He was once in a relationship with Neza.
Awards
The rapper was named Best Upcoming Artiste (Male) at the Nigerian Teens Choice Awards in 2013.
The Kaduna-born singer’s 2009 song Heading for a Grammy was inspired by American rapper Kanye West’s song Jesus Walks, which was released in 2004.
Discography
- Man of the Year (2015)
- The Never Say Never Guy (2017)
- Mr. Love (2018)
- Empire Mates State of Mind (2012)
- “Must Shine”
- “Bo Se Se Mi”
- “Goosebumps”
- Ori Mi” (featuring Wizkid)
- “Be Mine”
- “Thank God It’s Christmas”
- Must Shine”
- “Shake Body”
- Je Kan Mo”
- “Always” (featuring Davido)
- I Am For Real
- Jogodo” (featuring Oritse Femi)
- Ajaga” (featuring Timaya and Davido)
- Nobody’s Business” (featuring Banky W)
- Agolo”
- “For You”
- O’Crazy”
- “Fire Waist” (featuring Harmonize)
- Feposi
- Oliver Twist II” (Remix) (featuring Falz and Harmonize)
- This Your Body” (featuring Davido)
Net Worth
Counted among the most influential musicians of his prime and also bagging a multimillion endorsement with MTN and record label, among others, Skales estimated net worth is US$2.6 million.
Social Media
- Instagram: @youngskales
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