After weeks of endless planning, Skales has held his concert to mark the release of his debut album, ‘Man Of The Year’.
Held
at the Federal Palace Hotel, on Sunday, May 31, 2014, the concert was
primed to offer a whole lot of attractions, and lived up to its billing.
Skales,
the man who was dumped last year by his previous record label, the
prestigious-but-declining-EME, was the star of night, switching between
emotions, charisma, talent, and wonder as he performed to his audience
who braved the lingering fuel crisis to register their support.
Sometimes that support was too loud, with screams and attempts to go
onstage by fans, and at other times too meek.
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Skales was al smiles as he performed sets of his new album.
Unsurprisingly, but laudable, Banky W
was in the building. Watching the boy he discovered and nurtured, go
through artistic puberty and emerge a virile man. This concert must have
felt like watching a disowned son go through his rite of passage,
guided by an adopted father. The real father still felt some vestige of
pride. Skales is still Banky W’s son. Come rejection, come Baseline.
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Banky W must have felt like a father seeing his son go through puberty via the guidance of an adopted smiling parent.
Skales always one for the flashy moments, with guidance from Osagie Osarenkhoe, logistical support by Motbenson, and media facilitation by Zebra Stripes PR, and host duties by the rising Larry Foreman, the man was ready for his big evening.
Making his way onstage, The Baseline singer and rapper armed himself with a number of dancers, of which the new girl-movement, GGB played a pivotal role. They were the dance anchors of the entire set.
Skales
alternated between plugged and unplugged performance, delegating his
Highlife support to a live band, and some other more software-generated
complex sounds to DJ Kaywise. Songs such as ‘Je kan
mo’, ‘Highlife’, ‘Ijo Ayo’ and surprisingly the Hip hop cut, ‘Fa ra we
mi’ with Kenny Wonder, were scored to huge standards by the band.
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Skales was ably assisted by the GGB dancers who added colour and verve to his sets.
In between all of
this beautiful, melodious madness, Skales showed appreciation to all
those who have played a role in getting him back to his feet. Samklef, MC Galaxy, Milli, and the HKN crew were all side attractions who offered a lot new energy, audience retention, and raw entertainment.
And then there was Davido.
The
HKN star made the trip from the USA to support the ‘Man Of The Year’
album, and his entrance was a notable high point of the night. Whipping
up a performance of ‘Owo ni koko', and ‘The Sound’,
the superstar was not lacking in adoration. He made the move to the
stage, aligning with Skales for the performance of their raving ‘Always’ single.
Davido brought a huge sprinkling of stardust. The concert was made brighter by his presence
A striking feature
of the evening, and one which defined every fibre of the concert, was
the gratitude of Skales. He was thankful for everything. Showering
praises on everyone, and anyone who had touched his career positively.
He even dedicated a line or two to the hotel room where he recorded some
songs off the album. Bless that magical room of hits.
The
Skales concert in its entire was one of more symbolism than bang for
buck. Certain parts did evoke the need for more thought, like the
delayed start of the concert which fell victim to the ‘African Time
curse’, and not a lot of financial sponsorship was generated, but the
spectacle that unfolded as entertainment was enough to atone for these.
Baseline
Music showed bravery in committing to this concert. Ignoring all other
platforms, to essentially create their own, for their shining son, huge
kudos should be given to that, and it is worthy of emulation by other
record labels.
A happy Skales, means a happy Baseline Music, and what is impossible when the mood is all joy, spice and everything nice?
Nothing.
