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Tag: Skales

  • Niniola, Skales, others to chat on MTV Base’s Musicology

    In a bid to curb these recurring biting cases and help practitioners in the Nigerian music industry to fully understand the music business including contract, copyright and other issues, foremost music television channel, MTV Base will present on Thursday, April 19 present Musicology.

    Hosted by Folu Storms, Musicology which starts by 8pm gathers key stakeholders in the music industry to share information on various issues ranging from record contracts, branding, trademarking, content monetization, including pros and cons of digitization and a lot more.

    The panel includes singers – Skales, Niniola, Naeto C, Teezee -, veteran disc jockey, Jimmy Jatt and music executive, Godwin Tom.

    Within the past decade, Nigerian music has enjoyed a meteoric rise and has gone from creating music solely for local consumption to becoming the largest export of African music which currently is at an overwhelming demand across the world.

    Although commendable, this rapid growth was followed by new set of challenges that the structure of our music industry (or lack of it) wasn’t prepared to withstand thereby leading to cases of intellectual property theft, lack of transparency with digital monetization and the unending legal battles between artistes and record labels stemming from disagreement over contractual terms.

  • Skales’ ‘Ajaga’ video features Davido, Timaya

    Skales’ ‘Ajaga’ video features Davido, Timaya

    Following its wide acceptance, afro-pop sensation, Skales, last Friday, released the anticipated video to his smash hit, Ajaga. The track features DMW boss, Davido and Egberi Papa 1, Timaya.

    Excited by the new development, the singer took to his Instagram account to make the announcement.

    “Here it is; world! The wait is over,” he posted. “I want you all to know I put in a lot to this piece – the artistic value is overwhelming. I want to use this medium to thank my brothers @davidoofficial and @timayatimaya for your contribution in making this beautiful work of art a success. To my amazing fans; this is from me to you – it’s because of y’all I do this. Click the link in my bio and enjoy!”

    Directed by HG2Films, the video has since made the rounds across social media platforms with hundreds of fans expressing their excitement and commending the singer for his effort in the video.

    The video boasts a variety of radiant colours; making it visually appealing with a number of eye-popping ladies in their bikinis; gyrating heartily.

    Davido and Timaya however displayed a side of them that isn’t often seen as their meritorious chemistry with Skales easily complimented one another; making every scene incredibly intriguing.

    Skales has revealed his long-awaited album, The Never Say Never Guy, will be released sometime in April.

  • I DIDN’T KNOW SHAKE BODY WILL BE A HIT– SKALES

    I DIDN’T KNOW SHAKE BODY WILL BE A HIT– SKALES

    RAOUL John Njen-Njeng, simply called Skales, who was one of the guest artistes on Channels TV programme, Rubbin Minds, recently spoke on his hit song Shake Body, which according to him, made waves than he anticipated.

    The rising star, who revealed that Timaya has always been his mentor stated: “I never had the plan to release ‘Shake Body’, but was advised to do so by DJ Kentucky after listening to it.

    Also speaking on his private life, he said being business-oriented and having studied Business Administration in school, he needs to remain focused. And while some of his colleagues are busy having children, he is not ready to make his relationship with any lady public.

    “I play safe. All my friends in the industry have kids. It’s safer to keep your private life private. Right now, I like to put my relationship in private,” he added.

    The artiste, who revealed that he got signed to Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) record label, at the age of 15, left the label in 2014 following the expiration of his four-year recording contract, and established his own record label, OHK music in May 2014.

  • Skales to promote album via tour

    Skales to promote album via tour

    There are indications that music act, Skales, would be promoting his debut album, Man of The Year, through a music concert tour.

    The artiste had said while speaking on his plans for the rest of the year; ”My fans should expect the best from me. I will be shooting a lot of videos and going on tours too.”

    The new album which consists of 22 tracks was released on May 18, 2015. It features a number of artistes, including Phyno, Olamide, Davido and Ice Prince.

    Following the release of the album, a launch concert was held in Lagos on May 31, at the Federal Palace Hotel, with performances by Skales and other artistes featured on the album.

    In February 2014, it was reported that Skales left Empire Mates Entertainment following the expiration of his four-year recording contract.  That same year, he established his own record label, OHK Music establishment. The label is home to producer Drey Beatz, and has affiliations with other music personnel within Nigeria.

    Also in 2014, Skales released Shake Body as the first single from his upcoming album. The song was produced by Jay Pizzle and its music video was released on July 22, 2014 on YouTube. Skales promoted the song with a Shake Body video competition.

  • Industry Nite to host Skales, others

    Industry Nite to host Skales, others

    Rave-of-the-moment music artiste, Skales, will tonight be hosted at this week’s edition of Industry Nite. The event takes place every Wednesday night, at Spice Route, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Skales, who recently released his much anticipated album, Man Of The Year, was excited about performing at the show.

    ‘Happening tomorrow Wednesday (today) y’all,’ he tweeted yesterday. ‘Industry Nite! At spice route in V.I! Starting 10pm!’

    While Skales who is under Baseline Entertainment will be headline act of the event, other artistes would also get a chance to grace the stage in the weekly event, which aims to promote showbiz.

    Other artistes billed to perform at the event include DJ Spicey, Attitude, Kenny Wonder and GGB Sance Crew.

  • Beverly Naya ‘dumps’ Skales for D’banj

    Beverly Naya ‘dumps’ Skales for D’banj

    Nollywood actress, Beverly Naya, has declared her love for Nigerian pop singer, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka Dbanj. Naya, who is one of Nigeria’s finest actresses, was speaking on her celebrity crush on One on One, a programme on Pulse TV.

    She said: “…I will just say D’banj. I love his swag, and he has a lot of presence. That can be appealing to a lot of women sometimes.”

    Sometime back, Nigerian singer, Skales, made it known that he appreciates her beauty and talent, and sees her as his ‘celebrity crush’.

  • Skales, Wizkid at loggerheads

    Skales, Wizkid at loggerheads

    Former label mates, Skales and Wizkid are currently at each other’s throats on Twitter. The ex EME stars were engaged in a social media row which started when Skales claimed that he wrote songs for Wizkid. The Star Boy act, on the other hand, says his success fuelled Skales’ career in EME.

    In a series of tweets, Skales claimed that though he wrote songs for Wizkid, the Star Boy does not support him. “@wizkidayo no bad blood bro we family but show support to ur own for real it’s not by tweeting or bare words,” he tweeted.

    “@wizkidayo I don’t nid p.r from u bro das d least ting let’s call a spade a spade..u ’re a fake ass nigga…dat is scared of ppls success,” he further tweeted.

    It was a back and forth between both stars. Wizkid immediately replied Skales. The Star Boy act said Skales is merely looking for publicity for his new album Man of the Year.

    “I know u’re going thru a lot but don’t point fingers at me bro. I made the label money to push all of us! Don’t forget,” Wizkid replied.

    Skales took the beef a notch higher when he accused his former label mate of stealing the beat for his hit song, Azonto; “…u stole ma beat and made Azonto…ur super star song…I wrote that song. Don’t let me go on.”

    Not taking any of that, Wizkid promptly responded; “My guy @youngskales. I know u’re looking for publicity for ur new album. So I won’t say anything more!… did @youngskales just say he wrote super star!!! I still dey hear sha. Someone that can’t write himself a hit song. U hate your brother because he’s got it more than u. Wow! Na God dey bless everybody my brother!”

    Wizkid and Skales were signed to EME in 2010. While Wizkid’s career soared, Skales’ career stalled. Both acts left EME in 2014 under different circumstances.

  • Success is best revenge

    Success is best revenge

    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.

  • Skales shocks critics with Shake Body

    Skales shocks critics with Shake Body

    FOLLOWING his exit from Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) record label, music pundits argued that the career of budding artiste, Skales, might be on a downward spiral. However, the talented artiste has proved his critics wrong.

    The young artiste might have caused a social media frenzy without him even realising it.

    What started out as just an Instagram post of his friends dancing to his hit single has now escalated to a full- blown social media trend, with fans from all over the world joining in the #ShakeBodyDanceOff.

    Across various social media platform, videos of people dancing to Shake Body have been seen with some people even taking it further by posting on their YouTube channels.

    The single produced by Jay Pizzle was released in May under his OHK Entertainment label and has generated a measurable buzz. The video, which is expected to be released next week, is directed by fast- rising cinematographer, Stanz Visuals.

    An artiste of many parts, Skales became a known name in the music scene a few years back with his unique rap style, fashion sense, vocal talents and charm on stage.

    Skales, who has worked with numerous artistes and producers, has been featured in quite a number of songs. He is presently working on his first album to be released this year.

  • Skales launches record label

    Skales launches record label

    •DROPS ‘SHAKE BODY’ 

    FAST-RISING Hip hop act, Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, aka Skales, has joined the club of entertainment entrepreneurs, following the launch of his new label, OHK Music.

    According to the 23-year-old musician, “It is a new phase of my career and I am excited about making it all work.”

    The rapper, who just signed Drey Beatz, a producer, to his label, further said that OHK music would cater to music production, song-writing, music promotion as well as music publishing for all acts signed to the label.

    “For now, it is just Drey Beatz and I signed to the label.  I like to start really small. But we have affiliates with other producers and musicians outside OHK,” he explained.

    Meanwhile, Skales has also released a new single, Shake Body, which was produced by Jay Pizzle.

    He started his journey into music in 2000 as a rapper and songwriter. In the past years, he has done some collaboration works with numerous artistes and producers.  Skales also revealed that his debut album under the OHK imprint would be released later in the year.