Skales, Nigerian rapper, has come through with his 7-track extended play christened ‘Healing Process’.
The talented singer and songwriter took to his social media page on Friday to announce the release of the project to his fans.
The new body of work features several other top music talents including Walshy Fire, Ice Prince and Mc Makopolo.
“The #HealingProcessEP is out now! Big love to @walshyfire, @iceprincezamani and @mc_makopolo for blessing this project with their vocals,” he wrote on Instagram.
It features songs such as ‘God Is Good’, ‘Badman Love’, ‘Selecta’, ‘Done to Me’, ‘On Your Side’, ‘Loko’, and ‘A’lagos’
Skales, whose real name is Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, has established himself as a household name in the country’s music industry since he started writing rap songs in 2000.
The 29-year-old has also produced individual projects and collaborated with several music superstars including Akon, Bankole Wellington, Falz.
In April, he had teamed up with Akon for ‘Kowope’, a song, which examined hard workers who stay true to their struggle.
In 2019, the singer had also recounted how he grew from relative obscurity into prominence.
“I am a star now. When I released my first single 10 years ago, nobody knew who I was. I have more exposure now and I have grown in my music too. As we speak, I don’t think there is any music-loving Nigerian who doesn’t know Skales,” he had said.
Plans are underway by the International Police (INTERPOL) Nigeria to extradite Instagram celebrity Raymond Igbalodely a.k.a. Hushpuppi from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria to face alleged multiple fraud charges.
The INTERPOL is also on the trail of other accomplices in the alleged fraud who are resident in Nigeria to bring them to justice. Commissioner of Police (CP) INTERPOL, Garba Umar disclosed these to The Nation yesterday while confirming the arrest of Igbalodely whose real name is said to be Ramoni Igbalode.
He said: “It is true that Hushpuppi was arrested by the INTERPOL. We are currently working on bringing him to Nigeria to face charges of fraud.
“Some of the offences were committed here in Nigeria and he has to answer for them. He is not alone in it; there are accomplices in the country who we are currently on their trail,” said the CP.
Hushpuppi, known for his reckless display of wealth on social media, was arrested three days ago for allegedly hacking into the United States (US) unemployed database and impersonating citizens qualified for unemployment funds.
He and his accomplices in Nigeria, Dubai and other countries allegedly defrauded the US of over $100 million meant for Native Americans in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
The Nation reports that his arrest came three days after he posted a picture of his newly acquired 2020 Rolls Royce Cullinan worth about N280 million, the latest addition to his fleet of exotic vehicles.
It was alleged that Hushpuppi was arrested alongside two of his friends after weeks of investigation by the US Secret Service, following the alarm raised in May about a crime ring of suspected Nigerians who broke into the personal information of citizens and used factitious unemployment claims to steal hundreds of millions of dollars reserved to help jobless American people.
The syndicate was alleged to have filed in so many names of Americans who were still working to various state unemployment offices and collected money from the system.
They were alleged to have used information stolen from first responders, government personnel and school employees.
The escapades of a suspected fraudster
Ramoni Igbalode may not ring a bell. But the mention of Hushpuppi alerts many about the Nigerian born Instagram celebrity who lives in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Hushpuppi is virtually synonymous with glamour.
Until Wednesday, June 10, when he was reportedly arrested, he had kept entertaining his 2.3 million followers on Instagram with his luxurious lifestyle. His name echoes glamour and panache as he junkets the globe on private jets, flaunting high-end clothing, watches, and shoes on the social media.
Known for his weakness for luxury and high-end brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, Rolls Royce and Versace, Hushpuppi is a regular face at Dubai’s premier luxury department, Harvey Nichols.
Although he claims to be a real estate developer, according to his bio on Instagram, his high taste for expensive lifestyle has not only endeared him to his 2.3 million followers on Instagram but also celebrities and dignitaries from different walks of life.
From music stars to footballers and Nigerian lawmakers, Hushpuppi’s name resonates across the globe – with roots in Nigeria and Dubai.
Partying with Dino Melaye, Dogara, others
On January 7, 2020, ex-Senator Dino Melaye turned 46 and decided to throw a lavish party for the occasion in Dubai. The guest list had the names of ex-Speaker of the House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara, and former APC spokesman, Timi Frank. Also at the party filled with the distinguished guests was no other than Hushpuppi, the Instagram celeb who partied and took pictures with Dogara, Timi Frank, and Dino Melaye.
The lifestyle displayed by Hushpuppi on Instagram drew several Nigerian music stars to him. Touted as a philanthropist, music stars like Olamide and 9ice sang Hushpuppi’s praises with reckless abandon. It is, however, not certain whether these music stars benefitted from Hushpuppi’s largesse.
On November 16, 2014, Hushpuppi was spotted with ‘Kukere’ star, Iyanya. He shared a picture of himself with the singer with the caption, “Out for dinner with Mr. Oreo Iyanya.”
On November 1, 2018, Hushpuppi shared a picture of himself with Wizkid. The two were seen to be hanging out somewhere in Dubai.
Hushpuppi meets Manchester City defender
On March 26, 2019, Hushpuppi shared a picture of himself with Manchester City defender and French international, Benjamin Mendy. Although the nature of the relationship between the Instagram celeb and the footballer could not be established, he captioned the picture, “I wish I can play for Manchester City and be humble and down to earth like my bro Ben Mendy. Thanks for being the most amazing person ever bro.”
Confrontations with Nigerian celebs
From Davido to Eniola Badmus, Kcee, Phyno and Timaya, Hushpuppi has had his fair share of controversies. He had first taken on Davido, claiming that he was richer than the musician. He bragged about his authentic designer wears and shoes, saying many Nigerian celebs wear fake products.
He had also trolled Phyno and Iceprince, saying that since the duo wear fake Patek wristwatches, they should stop complaining when people pirate their music. He also toed the same line in respect of Eniola Badmus and Timaya, who in anger dragged him and dared him to come back to Nigeria.
Between Hushpuppi and Mompha
Hushpuppi is rarely seen with individuals on his Instagram posts. But on December 14, 2015, he shared a picture of himself and Mompha, announcing to his followers that they were both flying to Malaysia on a private jet for some business deals after expending millions on designer shoes, bags, and clothes. However, there are unconfirmed reports that the relationship between the two Instagram celebs has since gone sour.
Interestingly, Hushpuppi was reportedly arrested in Dubai exactly eight months after Mompha was arrested in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged fraudulent activities.
Tekashi 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj are bound for the highest new entry on the U.K. singles chart with “Trollz”.
After a busy weekend of sales and streaming activity, “Trollz” starts at No. 5 on the Official Chart: First Look.
It’s on track to secure Minaj her highest-charting single in the U.K. since Little Mix’s 2018 hit “Woman Like Me,” on which assisted. “Woman Like Me” peaked at No. 2.
Tekashi 6ix9ine has only impacted the U.K. top 10 on one occasion, with his “comeback” track “Gooba,” which hit No. 6 last month.
A portion of the proceeds from the single, including merch items, will benefit The Bail Project, Minaj explains, which provides free bail assistance to low-income individuals who can’t afford to pay bail while awaiting their trial.
Leading the U.K. sales blast is DaBaby’s reigning champ “Rockstar” featuring Roddy Ricch, which is aiming for a fifth non-consecutive week at the summit of the Official Singles Chart.
Just behind is Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s former leader “Rain On Me,” which is unchanged in second place.
The Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday evening local time.
According to the Tallahassee Police Department, cops were searching for her and she was last seen on June 6
Just hours before she went missing, Oluwatoyin Salau, a Black Lives Matter protester from Tallahassee, Florida, tweeted, “Silence is the best weapon for some but not for me I will not be silenced,” she had written on her Twitter page at that time.
She had tweeted about how she was sexually assaulted. “Anyways I was molested in Tallahassee, Florida by a black man this morning at 5:30 on Richview and Park Ave. The man offered to give me a ride to find someplace to sleep and recollect my belongings from a church I refuged to a couple of days back to escape unjust living conditions,” her tweet thread began and added, “He came disguised as a man of God and ended up picking me up from nearby Saxon Street.” She also explained, “I trusted the holy spirit to keep me safe.” She then said how the man offered to give her a ride back to a church where she had sought “refuge” because of “unjust living conditions.”
According to the Tallahassee Police Department, cops were searching for her and she was last seen on June 6. She had even given out the details of his appearance: “Mid 40’s lives in a gray painted duplex apartment-style house drives a white clean Silverado Chevrolet truck.” In a piece of shocking news, it was reported that she was found dead. The news started when a string of tweets started circulating on the Internet reporting the death of the 19-year-old protester with the hashtag #JusticeforToyin.
“19-year-old Black Lives Matter protester Oluwatoyin Salau who went missing moments after tweeting that a man who offered her a ride to church had molested her; has been found dead,” one tweet read and another said, “Activist Oluwatoyin Salau was missing since June 6, after disturbing tweets detailing a sexual assault that had taken place that day. it has been reported that her body has been found. WHAT HAPPENED TO TOYIN? SAY HER NAME #JusticeforToyin.”
“Oluwatoyin “Toyin” Salau Rest in Power Angel #JusticeForToyin after tweeting about her sexual assault she went missing for several days and her body was recently found. She was only 19,” another tweet read. Several people on the Internet expressed their anger. “Sexually assaulted twice on the same day by different black men and then killed. She spent her last hours alone, scared and confused. I’m angry and depressed at the same time. RIP Toyin.”
People want justice for her and the social media platform is exploding with fury. “RIP Toyin it pains me to know that we lost such a strong and passionate black woman during this time but something tells me that you’re free and you’re at peace,” one tweet said while another read, “RIP Toyin Salau. What a grand failure this world was to you. I’m so sorry you went out like this. You deserved to live your life. RIP!”
