Nigerian rapper and singer Skales has revealed that he played a creative role in the early career of fellow Afrobeats star Wizkid, recalling how the two musicians regularly wrote songs for one another while they were signed to Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).
Skales made the revelation while reflecting on his relationship with Wizkid during their early days in the Nigerian music industry.
According to him, songwriting was a collaborative process within the EME camp, with artists often contributing ideas and helping one another develop their records.
He specifically claimed that he wrote “Superstar” for Wizkid, the song that became closely associated with the singer’s early rise to prominence.
Skales also revealed that Wizkid returned the favour by contributing the chorus to his own song, “Mukulu.”
“I wrote ‘Superstar’ for Wizkid, but back then at EME, we used to write songs for each other. He also gave me the chorus for my song ‘Mukulu.’ We wrote songs for each other,” Skales said.
His comments have renewed interest in the creative relationship between two artists who were part of the EME movement that helped shape Nigeria’s modern pop scene.
Wizkid emerged as one of the label’s major acts after joining EME under Banky W, with his early music eventually establishing him as one of the country’s most promising young stars. His debut album, Superstar, released in 2011, became an important milestone in his career.
For Skales, his time at EME also marked an important chapter in his own journey. The rapper was part of the label’s early roster and developed a reputation for blending rap with Afrobeats and other contemporary Nigerian sounds.
His latest revelation offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes collaboration that existed among members of the label at the time. Rather than viewing songwriting as an individual process, the artists reportedly exchanged ideas, choruses and verses as they worked toward completing their records.
The revelation is likely to generate further discussion among fans of Nigerian music, particularly those interested in the origins of some of the songs that helped define the early 2010s Afrobeats era.
While Wizkid’s “Superstar” remains one of the defining records from his early career, Skales’ account highlights the collaborative environment that surrounded the EME camp during a formative period for both artists.
Years later, both musicians have established independent careers and built significant legacies in African music, but Skales’ recollection shows that their creative connection dates back to the period when they were still finding their footing in the industry.
