Nigerian singer Skales has opened up on a missed business opportunity that could have fetched him over $300,000, while offering a candid comparison between the financial realities of music and football.
Speaking in a recent interview, the “Shake Body” hitmaker reflected on how a potential luxury jewelry deal linked to a young footballer slipped through his fingers, a moment he says revealed just how much money exists beyond the pitch in the football world.
According to Skales, the experience gave him deeper insight into the earning power of footballers, stressing that even players without global stardom enjoy a level of financial consistency that many musicians can only hope for.
“You don’t have to be globally famous to make serious money. You can just be a regular guy… they no dey bench you, and you go dey make money,” Skales said.
He went on to contrast both industries, describing music as a space filled with uncertainty, where success often comes in waves rather than steady streams.
In his view, staying relevant in music over time is not just about talent or hard work but something almost spiritual.
By comparison, he noted that football rewards performance more directly, allowing players to build stable careers without necessarily becoming household names.
Skales also highlighted the often-overlooked off-field income streams footballers benefit from, using the abandoned jewelry deal as a clear example of how lucrative those opportunities can be.
Wrapping up his thoughts, the singer pointed out that only a small number of Nigerian artists ever reach the top tier of wealth, while many others continue to navigate the challenges of sustaining a career in the industry.
“Football money is greater than Music money. You don’t need to be a starter to bag serious cash. Music money is seasonal.
A company mailed me about a $300,000 jewelry piece they wanted Lamine Yamal to wear… and said they’d happily let me have it if I was interested”
— Skales pic.twitter.com/lSOOKRBR1F
— SKB (@seyikanbai) May 3, 2026