Raoul John Njeng-Njeng (born 1 April 1991), better known as Skales (an acronym for "Seek Knowledge Acquire Large Entrepreneurial Skills"), is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2000, he started writing rap songs in Kaduna. Between 2007 and 2008, he travelled to Jos to work with Jesse Jagz and Jeremiah Gyang. In 2008, Skakes entered the Zain Tru Search competition and won the competition's North Central region. His debut single, "Must Shine", received numerous spin on the Rhythm FM stations in Lagos, Jos and Abuja. Skales relocated to Lagos and signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009. He has collaborated with artists such as Akon, ELDee, Tekno, Wizkid Harmonize, Jeremiah Gyang, Banky W., and Knighthouse. His well-known songs include "Shake Body", "Mukulu", "Keresimesi", "Komole", "My Baby", "Take Care of Me" and "Denge Pose". He set up his independent record label, OHK Music, after leaving E.M.E in May 2014. His debut studio album, Man of the Year, was released in 2015.

== Early life and career == A native of Edo State, Raoul John Njeng-Njeng was born and raised in Kaduna State. He grew up in a single-parent household with his mother, who did menial jobs to nurture him. Skales became interested in music while regularly attending his mother's cassette store. He met producers Jeremiah Gyang and Jesse Jagz while attending the University of Jos (Unijos). He took part in the Zain Tru Search Competition during his time at Unijos and won the competition's North Central region. Skales left Unijos his junior year and attended Lead City University, where he graduated with a degree in office management and technology. His debut single, "Must Shine", received positive critical acclaim. In an interview with This Day newspaper in 2013, Skales described himself as an entertainer whose music is influenced by his surroundings. The song "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West served as the inspiration for his 2009 track "Heading for a Grammy". An anthem to self-empowerment, the song was shaped in part by the events he was going through at the time.