Nigerian singer Skales has opened up about a disturbing experience from his past. In a recent interview with Zikoko, he shared how he was once forced to perform his songs while locked up in a police cell.
According to the singer, the incident happened after his manager got into a dispute with a wealthy Nigerian billionaire. The issue led to both of them being arrested. He said the police told him he could go, but he refused to leave without his manager. That decision landed him behind bars for the night.
While in the cell, one of the inmates recognized him. The man asked if he was really Skales and even joked that he must have committed a serious crime to end up there. Skales explained what happened. The man then introduced him to the group’s leader and said he needed to show respect to avoid trouble.
The inmate told him, “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.”
Skales said he was asked to perform Shake Body and Emergency. The inmates were excited, and after his performance, he was given a better place to sleep. The “boss” even said he didn’t deserve to be in such a place.
One inmate offered to help Skales get revenge on the billionaire, but Skales refused. He said he wanted no part of violence. He also shared that prisoners depend on money from family to eat. Without it, they go hungry.
After his release, Skales bought food for the inmates to thank them for their kindness. His decision to share the story shows that, although it happened a while ago, the experience still stays with him today.
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