Rave of the moment and hip-hop sensation, Raoul Njeng Njeng, aka Skales, hugged stardom during the 2008 edition of Zain Tru Search talent competition and the Soundcity Blast concert in 2009. Skales was completely treated like a total outcast by both his former record label. However, things totally turned around for him when he moved on and signed a mouth-watering record deal of N200 million. The graduate of Office Management, Lead University, tells Adetutu Audu success is best revenge.
WE are seeing a different you from what we used to know. What inspired this transition?
I am going to be realistic: Hunger for success.
Was it because people said you were rejected a stone?
My contract expired with EME and I wanted to take my career to the next level. I just believe in doing things myself. I have big dreams, and there are things I want to do, and people don’t understand me, but as time goes on, they will get used to it. I am one of the few people that believe success is the best revenge. I am not ready for any beef; I think I have grown. This is the way I want to go and they say this is the way they want me to go and that’s not me, it can’t work. That’s part of the reasons, though there are always two stories to everything. I am just saying how I feel; I don’t want to go deeper than this, before I offend anybody. There is no bad blood between me and BankyW. After EME, I brought out a song ‘shake body’ that everybody is crazy about now.
So what is Baseline offering you? What about your own record label?
They want to take it another level. Skales will be at the NEA awards in New York at the end of the month. After that, he’s going to London for a concert, and then to Canada on a tour. By November, I will be dropping my album. So, you see, it is a total package; we don’t want to create any form of distraction by revealing any figures, but trust me it is a huge deal. It is about the biggest deal in the industry at the moment. I am still the CEO of OHK Music. I still have other artistes on the label. Right now, I am an artiste on Baseline Music. I am a businessman, anything that wants to take the business forward I take. Right now, I am more confident with my music. I just feel I am more mature to take decisions concerning my career. I have more freedom now. I now know 99 ways of not making the same mistakes again. OHK Entertainment is still running, with or without me.
What inspires your hit single ‘shake body’?
I was pretty much trying to make the biggest club record ever when I was working on ‘shake body’ and working with Jay Pizzle at that moment was just what I needed. Jay Pizzle and I worked on the song within a few hours, but I kept going back to the track to make changes until it was good to go.
Why did you give out $100,000?I am doing it to appreciate my fans. It was an opportunity to give one lucky fan or a group $10,000 to celebrate the new deal with renowned music label, Baseline Music, managed by Howie T and Dipo Abdul. To win the amazing prize, fans only need to record themselves dancing to his hit single ‘shake body’ and upload it on the website www. Skalesmusic.com. The ‘shake body’ lucky fan competition heralded Skales’ new alliance with Baseline Music in a massive way. Baseline understands Skales’ direction and this is why we took this step. The winner was a U.S-based comedian, Chief Obi. Ivorian Ibo Laure Prisca and Nigerian Amaka Njiofor closely followed him. Canada-based Alikor Stephanie and North America-based Richard Nwaoko took the fourth and fifth positions respectively. ‘Shake body’ is the number one song right now, and I owe it to God and my fans. Getting here was not a day’s job, this is the least I can do for my fans.
Musically, where do you draw your inspiration?
What inspires me is the whole essence of life and my experience on a daily basis. When I did my single, “Heading for a Grammy” in 2009, I was going through a lot at that time and the experience provided a lot of content for my music. In the song, I was talking about being the best and going on to become the most incredible. I was saying I was going to be a great person.
What does style mean to you?
Style is everything. You can see from the way I am dressed that I am stylish. I style myself; I don’t use a stylist. My style is determined by my mood. Another thing that influences the way I dress is the desire to create and maintain a very impressive and attractive image. I am always on the Internet. I go through all designers in order to be able to figure out what look works for me at a particular point in time. And sometimes, I try to be creative and come up with my own designs.
With your latest move, would you say you are fulfilled?
Music has been great to me. It has given me room to express myself extensively, taught me great lessons and keeps making me a better man daily.
How were you able to combine music with your academics?
Honestly, it was tough. I was able to complete my education by the grace of God. I was determined, focused and promised myself I was going to finish school at all cost. There were times I missed exams because of my career. I had carry-overs because I had to travel out of the country for several shows. It is just sacrifice. Music is like a very selfish girlfriend while education is also the same. Both of them require a hundred per cent attention; I did my best and to God be the glory.
How do you keep in shape?
I do exercises. I go on a diet, among other things. As an artiste, I have to be on a diet because I have to keep the brand going. I have to be good looking.
You seem to have passion for Kanye West. What is the attraction?
Kanye West is the foreign artiste I look up to at the moment. I am highly inspired by him. I am Kanye’s number one fan in the world. His influence in me goes beyond music. I am regarded as one of the most stylish artistes in Nigeria because I like wearing the latest gears and sneakers just like Kanye. I like Kanye so much that I follow everything he does. Not that I try to act like him, but to be greater than somebody, you have to follow that person’s footsteps, and that’s what I do.
