Raoul John Njen-Njeng, popularly known
as Skales, tells Ademola Olonilua why he
left EME and his relationship with Timaya
You must be close to your mother for you
to talk about her all the time…
We are very close. She is my best friend
and she knows everything about me. I am
her only child and as such, we are really
close. I owe my mother a lot because she
sacrificed a lot for me. After my father left
us, my mother concentrated on me and
even forgot about herself.
Was it really so tough for her to train
you?
It was very tough. There was a time my
mother had to do menial jobs just to
provide for me. Then she was being paid
N500 daily. When I went from being the
first to the seventh in the class, she came
to my school and was crying.
She felt I was not focused anymore but
there were subjects I never understood
like Economics. She borrowed a lot of
money just because of me. She used the
money to pay my school fees. She wanted
me to attend the best schools in Kaduna.
There were times I would advise her to
allow me go to
cheaper schools but she would refuse. I
was about the poorest boy in my school. I
was in a class where we had children of
commissioners, senators and so many
rich people but she wanted me to
complete my education. She always tried
to get me the best things so I could
compete with my peers.
Do you even think of repaying her for
all she did for you back then?
The first thing I want to do is to buy her a
very big house. She works in Kaduna and
wants to come to Lagos but I keep telling
her to give me time. I am going to tell her
to stop working soon. I would get her a
big house; buy her the best car and
anything she wants.
How about your father?
My parents are separated and I have not
seen my father since I was eight years
old. We have not kept in touch since then.
After their separation, we moved on with
our lives.
How was it combining 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, even though I am from
a polygamous family, I sorted it out.
As someone who had to grow fast and
be the breadwinner at a tender age,
what were some of the challenges you
faced?
As the only child and the fact that my
mother is getting older, I am the
breadwinner of the house. There is a lot
of pressure and I have to be thinking all
the time of how I would provide for my
family and myself. Sometimes she calls
me for advice because I am the only one
she trusts in the whole world. There has
been a lot of pressure but God has seen
me through.
What is the significance of the many
tattoos on your body?
They all mean something to me. I am still
going to have a tattoo of my mother’s
face somewhere on my body; maybe that
is going to be her next birthday gift even
though she doesn’t like tattoos. She
doesn’t know I have all these tattoos.
Why did you leave Kaduna, where you
were born, for Lagos?
I would say as a young boy, I was very
ambitious because I left my house when I
was about 16 years old. Right from
secondary school, I had started taking
care of myself. I paid my tuition fees
while I was in the University of Jos. I was
working, I was writing songs for people
because I have been doing music for a
very long time. I was getting paid writing
songs for people and also for being a
back-up singer as well. I was paying my
school fees which was about N15,000 but
still it was not so easy to get. I later won
a competition and I was crowned the
northern champion and from there, I
decided to make a move to Lagos. I thank
my friend, Tijani, that gave me a free ride
to Lagos.
How was it coming to a state where
you did not really know anybody?
It was not an easy journey for me. This
happened about five years ago. Tijani’s
elder brother was my friend and when I
wanted to move to Lagos, I just called
them to let them know of my decision.
They asked me if I knew anybody in Lagos
and I said I knew a handful of people. I
told them that I did not know them that
well and that I was not sure they would
accept me. Tijani told me he was also
moving to Lagos and I agreed to go with
him especially because I did not have
money for transport. I came to Lagos with
virtually nothing in my pocket but I was
positive that things would turn round for
me. I was full of hope. I followed my
friend and stayed with him. I had to move
when he told me that his parents were
complaining. I told him I did not have
anywhere to go because all the people
that promised to help me disappointed
me. He told me that he was planning to
start a record label, Sweet Noise, and
asked if I would be interested. I had no
choice. If I said no, he would kick me out,
so I agreed. We were working but I did
not sign any contract. We worked together
for a while until I moved on.
How did you meet Wizkid?
I met Wizkid in Knighthouse. I used to go
to Knighthouse to record; Terry tha
Rapman was one of the people that
helped pay for studio sessions for me. I
am forever grateful to him. I eventually
recorded a song. It was there I met
Wizkid, Osagie, Kels and some other
artistes.
Over time, you and Wizkid were close
friends. Then when Wizkid had issues
with EME, we learnt it affected your
friendship. Is that true?
No, it did not affect our relationship. We
are still close. We talk and still see each
other often. As a matter of fact, last
weekend, we were together at a beach in
Lagos. We still see each other. It is just
that now everybody is busy but whenever
we need each other; we are always there
for each other.
Your success level is often compared
with Wizkid’s by fans. Does that get to
you?
To be honest, I am human and the truth
is that it gets to me when I am compared
with Wizkid. I have come to live with the
fact that I can’t help it that they must
always compare me with Wizkid. We were
in the same label, we started about the
same time so they must always compare.
It is something I cannot run away from,
so I just have to keep working till I put a
stamp and let them know this is me; till
everybody knows Skales and Wizkid
separately.
What happened between you and EME?
My contract expired and we both agreed
that we would go our separate ways. I
decided I wanted to be on my own, do my
music and take my own decision. Nothing
happened; people are just speculating
and spreading rumours. We did not fight.
Right now, I am working on my album,
rebranding and taking Skales to the next
level.
When you say you are rebranding, does
it involve you being a part of Timaya’s
record label?
Timaya is my buddy; we are always
together. He is like my mentor, I take
advice from him and I call him my big
daddy. He is a very close friend of mine,
we are always together and people would
always speculate that I moved into his
house. It is because we are close and
together all the time. That is why people
came up with the insinuation that I moved
into his house. It is just all about music
between me and him; music and
friendship.
Did you move into Timaya’s house?
No, I did not move into his house. We are
friends and he has a studio in his house.
I do a lot of recordings there. People
would always talk.
Would you be signed to his record
label?
We do not know for now but like I said, I
am working on just Skales, I am focused
on just Skales and taking the brand to the
next level. We do a lot of music together
because we are always together.
There was a time insulting tweets
between you and your ex girlfriend
went viral online. What happened
between you two?
I don’t want to talk about that. Things
happen in life and you accept them as
they come.
Do you regret the relationship?
It was a good thing but there are always
ups and downs in life. I mean something
bad happened and we cannot reverse it;
so I’m moving on to other things in life.
Are you in a relationship right now?
No. I am not in a relationship.
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