Nigerian singer Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, better known as Skales, has asserted that he played a role in the rise to fame of his colleague, Burna Boy.
In a recent interview with Naija FM in Lagos, Skales shared that he inspired Burna Boy during a pivotal moment in his career.
According to Skales, Burna Boy, who hails from Port Harcourt, had no major hit song before their collaboration on the 2017 ‘Temper Remix’. Skales emphasized that while Burna Boy has also been an inspiration to him over the years, the core of their collaboration was mutual respect and support in the music industry.
“I inspired Burna Boy. He will agree with me. Nobody helps anyone, we just admire each other and decide to work together,” Skales stated. “At the time, Burna Boy had no hit song before I featured him on ‘Temper Remix.’ After that collaboration, he started excelling. I’m not claiming credit for his success, but I do believe I inspired him at a point, just as he has inspired me.”
In a related development, Burna Boy recently took to Instagram to reflect on his financial success, revealing that he is now wealthier than many of the influential figures, such as politicians and oil tycoons, whom he once admired.
The Port Harcourt-born musician wrote, “Imagine growing up and only seeing oil men and politicians as the true money makers, followed by the G-boys. Music wasn’t even part of the conversation when it came to wealth. Now, an ‘ugly black musician from Port Harcourt’ has more money than 90% of the people I once looked up to as money makers.”