Afrobeats singer Skales is making it clear that he wants no part in the disrespect being directed at Grammy-winning superstar Burna Boy.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Skales came to Burna Boy’s defense following criticism the artist received after performing their collaborative track, Temper (Remix), during his headlining set at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
“Pls and pls put some respect on Burna’s name. Burna is not anybody’s mate, including me. I’ve been seeing some b.s fly around that is made up. Burna never said that. Leave that man alone. Much respect to Odg,” Skales posted on April 30, 2025.
The statement follows a wave of online backlash that accused Burna Boy of performing Temper (Remix) opportunistically, linking it to Skales’ recent resurgence, especially as his decade-old hit Shake Body experiences a viral moment on TikTok.
Skales was quick to dismiss those claims, firmly stating that Burna Boy has always performed their 2017 collaboration, long before Shake Body resurfaced as a trend.
A Year of Wins for Both Artists
Despite the controversy, 2025 has been a big year for both musicians.
Skales’ Shake Body is enjoying renewed popularity after Barcelona football prodigy Yamine Yamal posted several viral dance clips using the track. The song’s TikTok resurgence has propelled Skales back into the spotlight.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy continues to make history on the global stage. The African Giant recently sold out England’s largest indoor arena and the 80,000-capacity Stade de France in Paris, cementing his status as one of the biggest international exports in African music history.
In the midst of it all, Skales is urging fans and trolls alike to remember one thing: when it comes to Burna Boy, the respect is non-negotiable.
