Nigerian rapper, Skales, has opened up about his struggles after leaving Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), Banky W’s record label.
In a recent episode of #WithChude, Skales detailed his experience of being homeless for almost a year after his four-year recording contract with EME expired in 2014.
Skales, whose real name is Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, said he continued to face difficulties until fellow rapper, Olamide, came to his aid.
“My deal with them (EME) was done, and they refused to continue because I wasn’t doing well at that time,” he revealed.
“Olamide called me and said there is this song I’m hearing everywhere, I was told you sang it. I asked him if he was talking about ‘Shake Body,’ and he said yes. Then he asked if I wasn’t going to shoot the video. I told him I was homeless and didn’t even have a place to stay not to talk of shooting a video. Then he asked me to send my account and promised to send me money for the shoot.”
“I got the money shortly after sending the account number. I was like, this guy wasn’t even my friend. My life turned around after that video shoot,” he added.
Skales also reflected on his childhood, saying he was born into a poor family and had to engage in several menial jobs to make ends meet.
“Growing up was really tough. It was depressing then because things my peers could afford, I couldn’t. As a kid then, I felt bad,” he shared.
“I did a lot of things back then just to get money, including helping other students with their homework. I came from a very poor family.”
