Nigerian artist Skales has described being imprisoned in a police cell and being made to perform some of his hits for other prisoners.
Skales recently said in a Zikoko conversation that he and his manager were arrested after an encounter with a Nigerian billionaire.
When he was arrested, the singer clarified, he refused to leave his manager.
He claimed that although he accompanied him to the police station, he was also arrested while helping his manager make his statement.
“One time, my manager and I were locked up. They locked us up for no reason. We had an issue with a billionaire, just because of power. Next, they arrested my manager and told me to go home. And I said never. How can you arrest my manager, and I will go home,” he said.
“I followed them to the police station. So, while writing a statement for my manager, they told me I had to sleep in the cell. So, I slept in the cell and performed in the cell.”
Skales disclosed that while inside the cell, he was recognised by an inmate who couldn’t believe he was locked up with them.
The singer said the inmate then informed him that there was a “boss” in the cell whom he had to greet, warning that failure to do so could lead to trouble.
He said when the boss learnt his identity, he immediately requested a performance.
The singer said after delivering an impromptu performance of songs like ‘Shake Body’ and ‘Emergency,’ he was rewarded with better sleeping arrangements.
“Because when I got in, one guy recognised me and said I looked like Skales. I told him I am Skales. He asked How come? He asked if I had killed someone,” he said.
“I explained everything that happened to him. He said that is how all these billionaires do. He even offered to help me murder him. I told him no and that he should forget about it.
“He told me they had a boss in the cell, and I had to go greet him. And that if not, the boys beneath will deal with me.
”He told him I was Skales. The boss asked me to mention the song I want to perform. He mentioned ‘Shake Body’ and ‘Emergency’. He even sang some lyrics from ‘Emergency’.
“He said I would perform for them and sleep on the mat after that. He said that when I perform, they would give me a special place because all of them were sleeping on the floor. I performed, sang the lyrics and everything shamelessly.
”And then he gave me a mat. He actually felt bad and said this boy does not deserve to be here.
“What they used to do is, while you are in the cell, your family has to be sending money to the police to buy food and give you, if not, you will not eat.
“So, when I left, I bought a lot of food for them and told them thank you.”