Nigerian music star Skales is experiencing an extraordinary comeback, and it’s all thanks to the viral power of TikTok. His decade-old Afrobeats banger Shake Body has not only resurfaced but also smashed records, earning the singer new global recognition.
Originally released in 2014, Shake Body has become an unexpected viral sensation, trending across social media, particularly TikTok, where it’s fueled a wave of dance challenges and celebrity endorsements. The momentum has translated into staggering success on streaming platforms, most notably Spotify.
In April 2025, Skales reached 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time in his career. Just a month later, he doubled that figure, hitting the 2 million milestone in May. Now, Shake Body has officially debuted at #98 on the Spotify Global Viral Songs Chart, making it one of the most streamed and shared songs worldwide.
The song is currently trending on the Spotify viral charts in over 30 countries, including Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France.
“Wow!!! This is mind blowing for an independent artiste with full ownership… thank you Jesus,” Skales shared in an emotional post on X.
The Lamine Yamal Effect
The resurgence of Shake Body can be traced to March 2025 when 17-year-old FC Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal posted a TikTok video dancing to the track alongside Spanish teammates Nico Williams and Samu Omorodion following Spain’s victory over the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League.
@lamine.yamal Shake body
♬ Shake Body – Skales
The video exploded, amassing over 180 million views and 16 million likes, thanks in part to Yamal’s enormous follower base of 31 million fans.
Soon after, another viral video surfaced featuring Yamal, Barcelona legend Gerard Piqué, and Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos, all vibing to the hit, further cementing its viral status.
From Viral Hit to Global Stage
The ripple effect has been enormous for Skales. The Kaduna-born artist has since met Lamine Yamal and Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde, even performing Shake Body live at one of their celebration parties.
Riding the wave of his unexpected comeback, Skales has teased a follow-up track titled “Dance Like Lamine Yamal”, a musical tribute to the young footballer who helped reintroduce Shake Body to the world.
