Nigerian singer and rapper Skales has opened up about a surprising moment in his career, revealing that fellow artist Olu Maintain once offered him ₦1.5 million to purchase his hit song Shake Body back in 2015.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the With An S podcast, the 34-year-old recalled the struggles he faced after parting ways with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009. According to Skales, the fallout from the split left him battling self-doubt and low self-esteem.
“After I left EME, it felt like the whole industry turned its back on me. I struggled with confidence and felt really inferior,” he said.
Despite the song’s eventual success, Shake Body was not immediately embraced. Skales explained that he had played the track for several top industry players, but most of them were unimpressed—except Olu Maintain, who not only saw its potential but also offered to buy it.
“Olu Maintain was the only one who believed in the song at that time. He even offered me ₦1.5 million for it. I almost sold it, but my manager advised me to keep it,” Skales shared.
He also credited entertainer Tunde Ednut for supporting him during that period, revealing that they once lived together while he was still struggling to find his footing.
Interestingly, the track has recently found new life after Spanish football star Lamine Yamal used it in a TikTok video, sparking renewed interest from fans around the world.
Skales, who first gained recognition in 2008 by winning the North Central region of the Zain Tru Search music competition, also revealed a harrowing moment when he was forced to perform Shake Body while detained in a police cell—underscoring how much the song has shaped his journey.
Despite the early rejections, Shake Body went on to become one of Skales’ biggest career milestones, proving the value of resilience and self-belief.
