Veteran Nigerian singer Skales is inspiring upcoming musicians to remain consistent, highlighting that success often comes after the hardest moments. In a motivational post on X (formerly Twitter), Skales reflected on his music journey, urging artists not to quit before their breakthrough.
His 2014 Afrobeat hit “Shake Body” is enjoying an unexpected resurgence over a decade after its release, thanks to a viral TikTok dance trend sparked by young football star Lamine Yamal. This global buzz propelled Skales to reach 1 million monthly Spotify listeners for the first time in his career.
Capitalizing on this momentum, Skales released a tribute single, “Dance Like Lamine Yamal”, celebrating the footballer’s role in bringing his music to a new generation. He also announced the upcoming release of his new album ‘Martina’s Son’, named after his late mother, featuring collaborations with Nigerian gospel legend Yinka Ayefele.
Skales’ revival reflects a larger trend of classic Nigerian hits gaining fresh popularity through viral moments, similar to Mike Ejeagha’s highlife classic “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” earlier this year.
His story is a powerful reminder for artists worldwide: with patience and perseverance, success will come.
JUST IN 🚨
Skales’ “Shake Body” rises to a new peak of #16 on Netherlands 🇳🇱 Dutch Singles Tip (3 weeks on chart). 📈🔥
— It was released 12 years ago. pic.twitter.com/ezU1CsutwU
— The Debut Hub (@thedebuthub) June 1, 2025
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