Skales, born Raoul John Njeng-Njeng on April 1, 1991, stands as one of the most prominent and versatile artistes in the vibrant history of Nigerian music. His journey began early, discovering his talent while residing in Kaduna, which eventually led him to become a household name across Nigeria and gain significant global attention. Raised by a single parent, Skales’ passion for music ignited in 2000, prompting him to start writing rap songs in Kaduna.

His nascent career saw him collaborate with esteemed music figures like Jesse Jagz and Jeremiah Gyang between 2007 and 2008, even while pursuing his studies at the University of Jos. A significant early achievement came in 2008 when Skales participated in the Zain Tru Search competition, emerging as the winner for the North-Central region. Around this time, he recorded his debut single, “Must Shine,” which garnered extensive airplay on various Rhythm FM stations in Lagos, Jos, and Abuja.

Driven by an ambition for greatness and a thirst for knowledge, he adopted the stage name SKALES, an acronym representing “Seek Knowledge, Acquire Large Entrepreneurial Skills.” This philosophy propelled him to relocate to Lagos, where he signed a pivotal record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.) in 2009. His 2009 track, “Heading for a Grammy,” served as a powerful anthem of self-empowerment, drawing inspiration from the personal challenges he navigated during that period.

During his tenure at E.M.E., Skales was a central figure, prominently featured on the label’s debut compilation album, “Empire Mates State of Mind,” released in 2012. He showcased his collaborative prowess, working alongside label mates such as Banky W., Wizkid, Shaydee, Niyola, and DJ Xclusive on five of the album’s seven singles. His repertoire expanded with well-known songs including “Mukulu,” “Keresimesi,” “Komole,” “My Baby,” “Take Care of Me,” and “Denge Pose.”

After honing his craft and gaining invaluable experience within the dynamic music industry under E.M.E., Skales embarked on an independent path, departing in May 2014 to establish his own record label, OHK Music. His eagerly anticipated debut studio album, “Man of the Year,” was subsequently released in 2015. The Jay Pizzle-produced track “Shake Body,” initially released on May 6, 2014, served as the electrifying lead single from this album.

A remarkable resurgence occurred in 2025 when his decade-old hit “Shake Body” went viral again. This renewed global attention was sparked by Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal, who danced to the song online, causing the video to explode across social media. The viral moment propelled “Shake Body” onto Spotify’s Global Viral Songs Chart, reintroducing Skales to a new generation of listeners worldwide. Capitalizing on this momentum, Skales achieved a significant career milestone in April 2025, surpassing one million monthly listeners on Spotify, a number that later surged to two million. His newfound global popularity also led to a performance in Barcelona, following the club’s triumphant Copa del Rey final win over Real Madrid. These achievements justly earned the Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter the prestigious LEADERSHIP Artiste of the Year 2025 recognition.