Nigerian singer Skales recently shared a story about being compelled to perform his popular song ‘Shake Body’ while in a police cell.
In a viral interview with Zikoko media, Skales recounted how he was locked up after his manager clashed with a billionaire who had him arrested.
Forced to entertain fellow inmates, the singer performed ‘Shake Body’ and ‘Emergency’ in exchange for better sleeping conditions.
Despite facing pressure from inmates to exact revenge on the billionaire, Skales chose not to take their offer.
“One time, my manager and I were locked up for no reason. We had issue with a billionaire, just because of power, they arrested my manager and told me to go home. And I said how can you arrest my manager, and I will go home?
“I followed them to police station. While writing a statement for my manager, they said I had to sleep in the cell. So, I slept in cell and performed because when I got in there, one guy recognised me and said I looked like Skales. I told him I’m Skales. He asked me how come? If I had killed someone.
“When I explained what happened to him, he said that’s how all these billionaires do. He even offered to help me murder him. But I told him no and that he should forget about it.
“He told me that they had a boss and I had to go greet him, that if not, the boys beneath will deal with me. So, when he told their boss that I was Skales. The boss asked me to mention the song I wanted to perform. He mentioned ‘Shake Body’ and ‘Emergency’ and even sang some lyrics from ‘Emergency’.
“He said I would perform for them for me to sleep on the mat. He said they would give me a special place when I perform because all of them sleep on the floor. I performed, sang the lyrics and everything shamelessly.
“He actually felt bad for me and said this boy does not deserve to be here. While you’re in the cell, your family has to be sending money to the police to buy you food if not, you won’t eat. So, when I left, I bought them lot of food and thanked them.”
