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Skales’ ‘Shake Body’ smashes new Spotify record, debuts on Global Viral Songs chart
Nigerian artist Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, popularly known as Skales, is experiencing a remarkable career resurgence with his 2014 hit single “Shake Body”—ten years after its original release.
The energetic Afrobeats anthem has found new life on TikTok, going viral in just two months and triggering a wave of renewed interest that has pushed Skales to achieve fresh milestones on Spotify.
In April 2025, Skales hit 1 million monthly listeners on the platform for the first time in his career. By May, that number had doubled to 2 million—a major achievement for the independent artist.
Even more impressively, “Shake Body” has now debuted at #98 on the Global Spotify Viral Songs chart.
The song currently trends on Spotify’s viral charts in over 30 countries, including Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France.
Sharing his excitement on X (formerly Twitter), the 34-year-old Kaduna-born singer wrote:
“Wow!!! This is mind blowing for an independent artiste with full ownership… thank you Jesus.”
Wow !!! This is mind blowing for an independent artiste with full ownership… thank you Jesus https://t.co/O8lMLlsdI2
— SKALES (@youngskales) May 12, 2025
The viral explosion can largely be credited to a TikTok video posted in March 2025 by FC Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal. The clip, which featured Yamal and fellow footballers Nico Williams and Samu Omorodion dancing to “Shake Body” in celebration of Spain’s victory over the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League, racked up over 180 million views and 16 million likes. Yamal, only 17 years old, commands a massive TikTok following of over 31 million.
Skales’ viral comeback not only showcases the power of digital platforms in reviving timeless hits but also reaffirms Afrobeats’ growing global reach.