Following the release of his smash single “Shake body“ last year which he topped with two more “Je Kan Mo” and “I am For Real“ last month, Skales full name Raoul John Njeng-Njeng is definitely one to watch out for this year.

In a recent interview with Encomium magazine, the artiste whose album is set to drop come March, shed light on matters regarding his exit from former label EME, his rise to fame, switch from rapping to singing, his “father-to-be” status, and lots more.
Read excerpts…..

Skales is one of the fastest rising artistes now, what is the secret?
If I tell you, it won’t be a secret anymore. (Laughs) God, hard work, focus, Baseline Music, persistence, dedication and the greatest team ever. Last year, I sat with my team and we decided on where the Skales brand is going. It has been about 10 months since I got a new team, and all hands have been on deck. We have worked and we can say that we are about to tick the final segment for our 12-month plan which is my debut album. It has not been easy, but we grind every day, and we thank God and pray for a better 2015.

You are known to be a rap artiste, why are you doing songs now and not rap?
I see myself as an artiste, and that means that I can do whatever kind of music I want. I can be a rapper, I can do pop music, I can do dancehall music or even soul music. Heading for a Grammy is rap, Mukulu, Take Care of me and Denge Pose is a fusion of rap and pop, Shake Body is pure afro pop. My new song, I am for Real is dancehall and Jekanmo is popular music. I am a musician, and my unique selling point is my ability to be versatile and do music that will make money for my mom, my management team, the label and myself without watering down the quality of my music.

When should we expect your album?
March, unfailingly. I have submitted the album to the label. We are in the process of selecting which songs will make it and which ones will not. I am excited about the process. But I also cannot wait for people to hear what I have in the album. It has been a long journey, and I really just can’t wait.

Will you say Skales is better off after leaving EME?
Yes, but without going through EME, I doubt I would be here. I will say my time in EME was a learning process. You know the saying that without fire, you can’t get gold. That is how my stay in EME is for me. I am grateful for the period I was signed there, but Baseline is home now, and we are making this work.

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Skales now calls Baseline Music ‘home’.

Since his departure from E.M.E early in the year, Raoul Njeng-Njeng aka ‘Skales’ has been on a roller coaster ride.

First he unveiled his own record label, then he dropped a couple of chart topping singles, got signed on to a new record label, acquired a new car and he’s preparing to drop his elusive debut album in November 2014.

Well, here’s the real story of his new mouth watering record deal with Baseline Records, according to investigations by Nigerian Entertainment Today.

The first advantage of his deal is the fact that despite being signed on to Baseline, led by industry veterans Howie T and Dipo Abdul, Skales gets to still maintain control and leadership of his own label OHK records, where he nurtures and grooms fast rising acts and producers.

And we’ve been reliably told his Baseline deal is worth nearly N200m. An industry source familiar with the details of his contract told this newspaper the terms ensure he gets a brand new car, a house, cash advance, and upkeep allowance, all totalling about N200m.

It’s the most expensive recording deal in the industry, and a huge surprise, considering the hard times labels and marketers are facing, and the flight of investment from labels.

But Baseline has deep pockets, according to those who know. And, following Howie T and other consultants’ guidance, it appears they are ready to shake things up.

The label did not confirm the figures, with Howie saying ‘I cannot give you any specific figure because we don’t want other artistes to start running to us, however what I can tell you is that the deal is worth hundreds of millions. It includes his new car, new house and total lifestyle package. We are changing his whole lifestyle’

‘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, [then] he’ll drop his album in November. So you see it’s a total package, we don’t want to create any form of distraction by revealing any figures, but trust me it’s a huge deal, it’s about the biggest deal in the industry at the moment.’

Baseline is owned by one of Kessington Adebutu’s sons but totally run by Howie T and Dipo Abdul of KISS Group.

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