Man of the Year (album)
| Man of the Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 18 May 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–15[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 77:38 | |||
| Label | Baseline | |||
| Producer |
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| Skales chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Man of the Year | ||||
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Man of the Year is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer and rapper Skales. Released on 18 May 2015 by Baseline Music, the album blends Afropop, hip-hop, and R&B, and features guest appearances from Davido, Olamide, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Phyno, Reekado Banks, Victoria Kimani, Rotimi, Attitude, Kenny Wonder, and Capital FEMI. Man of the Year was supported by the singles "I Am for Real", "Je Kan Mo", "Always", "Ijo Ayo", and "Lo Le". His 2014 single, "Shake Body", appears as a bonus track, alongside its French version.
Background and promotion
Born Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, Skales began his music career after meeting M.I Abaga and Jesse Jagz in 2007.[2] After releasing his debut single "Must Shine" and appearing on the talent show Zain Tru Search, he moved to Lagos and signed with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), a label founded by Banky W. and Tunde Demuren.[3] On 24 November 2011, he released his debut singles under the label: "Mukulu" and "Keresimesi" featuring Wizkid, both produced by Sarz.[4] He was one of the main artists on the E.M.E compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind (2012), appearing on singles such as "Baddest Boy", "Ko Mo Le", "Sun Mo Mi", and "My Baby", among others.
After his contract with Empire Mates Entertainment expired in February 2014, Skales founded his label OHK Entertainment in May and subsequently signed with Baseline Music in July of that year.[5][6][7] On 6 May 2014, Skales released "Shake Body" as his first single under OHK Entertainment.[6][8][9] "Shake Body" appears on Man of the Year as a bonus track, along with its French version.[10] The album version features Numerica, while the single version is performed solo by Skales. According to Nigerian Entertainment Today, Skales initially scheduled the album for release on 1 April 2015.[11] The track list was revealed on 11 May 2015.[12]
Singles
The album's lead singles, "I Am For Real" and "Je Kan Mo", were both released on 21 January 2015.[13] "Always" featuring Davido, was released as the second single on 13 May 2015. The Olamide-assisted "Ijo Ayo" featuring Olamide was released on 15 May 2015 as the album's third single. The Uhuru-produced "Lo Le" was by Baseline Music and Universal Music South Africa released as the album's fourth single on 11 September 2015, and his debut single in South Africa.[14]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pulse Nigeria | [15] |
| tooXclusive | [16] |
| Nigerian Entertainment Today | [17] |
Man of the Year garnered mixed reception from critics. Ayomide Tayo, in a review for Pulse Nigeria, called Man of the Year "bland and ordinary", saying that the 21-track project lacks "a proper sense of direction" and "floats out of one's consciousness before you get to the last song", and adding that it "was meant to be the final proof that Skales is a man who should be at the very top". He rated the album 2.5 out of 5.[15] Writing for The Lagos Review, Emmanuel Daraloye criticized Man of the Year for lacking originality, writing that it "curiously begins in copycat mode" and largely "aggregat[es] sounds of potential hits" without a distinct identity. He noted that while Skales is "a competent singer" with "melodious" music, the album "will not leave a dance floor unattended but neither will it leave a lasting impression", placing it within the "mediocrity that is the rule with contemporary Nigerian songs".[18]
TooXclusive's Jim Donnett characterized the album as "kick ass material", despite being "tiring and draggy", with much of its impact resting on "production and vocal features". He concluded that Skales remains “musically savvy, lyrically skilled, [and a] badass rapper", rating the album 3 out of 5.[16] In a more positive perspective, Dayo Showemimo of Nigerian Entertainment Today said that the album's “steady progression” across genres shows Skales' "impressive diversity" from rapper to singer. He acknowledged the absence of features from Skales' label mates, but said the project contains several standout songs and concluded that it "is a sure contender for the 'Album of the Year' crown", rating it 3.5 out of 5.[17] Wilfred Okiche, writing for 360nobs criticized the album for its "blatant lack of personality" and said that Skales is "more man of the moment than Man of the year".[19]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" (featuring Do2DTUN) | Oladotun Kayode | — | 0:55 |
| 2. | "I'm a Winner" (featuring Burna Boy) |
| 3:51 | |
| 3. | "Lo Le" | Njeng-Njeng | Uhuru | 3:30 |
| 4. | "Always" (featuring Davido) |
| Spellz | 4:00 |
| 5. | "Wonder" (featuring Reekado Banks) |
| Jay Pizzle | 3:39 |
| 6. | "Ijo Ayo" (featuring Olamide) |
| Spellz | 4:30 |
| 7. | "Koyewon" | Njeng-Njeng | 3:38 | |
| 8. | "What's Up" | Njeng-Njeng | DJ Coublon | 3:16 |
| 9. | "I Am for Real" | Njeng-Njeng | Orbeat | 3:27 |
| 10. | "OMG!" (featuring Victoria Kimani) |
| Bobby Combz | 3:38 |
| 11. | "Swagger Man" (featuring Ice Prince, Phyno) |
| Jay Pizzle | 4:03 |
| 12. | "No Condition" | Njeng-Njeng | Drey Beatz | 4:03 |
| 13. | "Fa Ra We Mi" (featuring Kenny Wonder) |
|
| 3:31 |
| 14. | "Happy" | Njeng-Njeng | Drey Beatz | 3:50 |
| 15. | "Your Body Hot" (featuring Attitude) |
| Fliptyce | 3:49 |
| 16. | "Naughty" | Njeng-Njeng | 2:50 | |
| 17. | "Je Kan Mo" | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:15 |
| 18. | "Another Round" | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:26 |
| 19. | "Turn You On" (featuring Capital F.E.M.I, Rotimi) |
| DJ Coublon | 3:34 |
| 20. | "I Forget (Outro)" | Njeng-Njeng | 3:57 | |
| Total length: | 77:38 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21. | "Shake Body" | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:28 |
| 22. | "Shake Body (French Version)" (featuring Numerica) | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:28 |
Notes
- "—" denotes a skit
Samples
- "OMG!" samples "Someone Out of Town" by Yuna
Personnel
- Skales – primary artist
- Davido – featured artist
- Burna Boy – featured artist
- Ice Prince – featured artist
- Reekado Banks – featured artist
- Phyno – featured artist
- Capital FEMI – featured artist
- Rotimi – featured artist
- Olamide – featured artist
- Kenny Wonder – featured artist
- Olamide – featured artist
- Victoria Kimani – featured artist
- Numerica – featured artist
- Jay Pizzle – producer
- Drey Beatz – producer
- Kenny Wonder – producer
- Bobby Combz – producer
- Echo – producer
- TK – producer
- Spellz – producer
- Ganja Beatz – producer
- DJ Coublon – producer
- Orbeat – producer
- Uhuru – producer
References
- ^ Joey Akan (11 May 2015). "10 things you should know about Skales' debut 'Man Of The Year'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ^ Hope Ibiale (9 November 2023). ""'Proof of Life' Is a Rebirth for Me": Skales Speaks on His Latest Project with Afrocritik". Afrocritik. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Karen Young (19 May 2013). "Skales... Just A Moment". This Day. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Nana Boafo Jr. (24 November 2011). "E.M.E RAP STAR SKALES UNVEILS TWO NEW SINGLES "MUKULU" & "KERESIMESI" …. Videos to be released soon". ModernGhana. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Skales leaves E.M.E". Vanguard. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Skales sets up record label". Nigerian Tribune. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Osagie Alonge (22 July 2014). "Skales signs new record deal, joins Saeon at Baseline Music". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Oluwafemi Adebanjo (6 May 2014). "Skales – Shake Body". Notjustok. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Skales Drops Music Video For His Single 'Shake Body'". Channels Television. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Ready for the "Man Of The Year"? Skales Unveils Album Tracklist! | Watch his Documentary". BellaNaija. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Dayo Showemimo (18 February 2016). "NET Exclusive: Skales announces April 1 date for debut album". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "Skales – Man Of The Year (Album Tracklist)". Notjustok. 11 May 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
- ^ "New Music: Skales – Je Kan Mo + I'm For Real". Jaguda. 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- ^ Dayo Showemimo (11 September 2015). "Skales debuts first single release in South Africa". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- ^ a b Ayomide Tayo (10 June 2015). "Man of the Year is tiring and unimaginative". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ a b Jim Donnett (8 June 2015). "ALBUM REVIEW: Skales – Man of the Year". tooXclusive. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ a b Dayo Showemimo (20 May 2015). "Album Review: Skales is NOT the 'Man of the Year'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ Emmanuel Daraloye (18 June 2019). "Skales Is Not Man of The Year". The Lagos Review. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Wilfred Okiche (11 August 2015). "Album Review: Skales' "Man Of The Year"". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2025.