Man of the Year (album)
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| Man of the Year | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 18 May 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2014–2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 77:38 | |||
| Label | Baseline | |||
| Producer |
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| Skales chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Man of the Year | ||||
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Man of the Year is the debut studio album by Nigerian recording artist Skales. It was released on 18 May 2015, through Baseline Music. The album features a blend of Afrobeats, hip hop, and R&B, with guest appearances from Davido, Olamide, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Phyno, Reekado Banks, Victoria Kimani, Rotimi, Attitude, Kenny Wonder, and Capital FEMI. Man of the Year was preceded by six singles.
Background and promotion
[edit]According to NET, Skales originally set a date for the album's release to be 1 April 2015.[1] The album's track list was revealed on 11 May 2015.[2] Man of the Year features six singles including the main hit, "Shake Body", released on 6 May 2014.[3][4] The second and third singles, "I Am For Real" and "Je Kan Mo", were both released on 21 January 2015.[5] The fourth single, "Always", was released on 13 May 2015, and followed by the fifth single, "Ijo Ayo", released on 15 May 2015.
Critical reception
[edit]Man of the Year received mixed reviews from critics. Ayomide Tayo's review of Man of the Year for Pulse Nigeria described the album as "bland and ordinary," falling short of expectations despite glimpses of potential. Tayo criticized the album’s lack of direction, thematic coherence, and compelling hits, stating, "Man of the Year was meant to be the final proof that Skales is a man who should be at the very top." The album received a rating of 2.5 out of 5, indicating an average effort.[6] Music critic Emmanuel Daraloye reviewing for Nigerian magazine, The Lagos Review, he lamented the album's lack of standout tracks that could have elevated it beyond mediocrity.[7] tooXclusive's Jim Donnett's review of Man of the Year praised Skales' resilience and musical versatility but noted the album felt "tiring and draggy" at points, relying heavily on production and guest features. While highlighting tracks like "Fa Ra We Mi" and "I Forget" for their depth and inspiration, he concluded that despite its flaws, the album showcased Skales as "musically savvy, lyrically skilled, [and a] badass rapper." The album received a rating of 3 out of 5.[8] Dayo Showemimo of Nigerian Entertainment Today noted that Skales delivered a strong and diverse debut with Man of the Year, showcasing his growth as a singer while experimenting across genres. Despite minor shortcomings like missing features from label mates, the album stood out with several standout tracks and solid production. He concluded, “This album is a sure contender for the ‘Album of the Year’ crown,” and gave it a 3.5 out of 5 rating.[9] Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs reviewed Skales' Man of the Year as a formulaic and inconsistent album, showing fleeting promise but lacking personality and depth. While the first half offered enjoyable tracks like "I’m a Winner" and "Lo Le," the album quickly disintegrated into generic, uninspired material. He concluded, "At best, he can only hope for a more modest and fleeting title. Perhaps a man of the moment."[10]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" (featuring Do2DTUN) | Oladotun Kayode | — | 0:55 |
| 2. | "I'm a Winner" (featuring Burna Boy) |
| 3:51 | |
| 3. | "Lo Le" | Njeng-Njeng | Uhuru | 3:30 |
| 4. | "Always" (featuring Davido) |
| Spellz | 4:00 |
| 5. | "Wonder" (featuring Reekado Banks) |
| Jay Pizzle | 3:39 |
| 6. | "Ijo Ayo" (featuring Olamide) |
| Spellz | 4:30 |
| 7. | "Koyewon" | Njeng-Njeng | 3:38 | |
| 8. | "What's Up" | Njeng-Njeng | DJ Coublon | 3:16 |
| 9. | "I Am for Real" | Njeng-Njeng | Orbeat | 3:27 |
| 10. | "OMG!" (featuring Victoria Kimani) |
| Bobby Combz | 3:38 |
| 11. | "Swagger Man" (featuring Ice Prince, Phyno) |
| Jay Pizzle | 4:03 |
| 12. | "No Condition" | Njeng-Njeng | Drey Beatz | 4:03 |
| 13. | "Fa Ra We Mi" (featuring Kenny Wonder) |
|
| 3:31 |
| 14. | "Happy" | Njeng-Njeng | Drey Beatz | 3:50 |
| 15. | "Your Body Hot" (featuring Attitude) |
| Fliptyce | 3:49 |
| 16. | "Naughty" | Njeng-Njeng | 2:50 | |
| 17. | "Je Kan Mo" | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:15 |
| 18. | "Another Round" | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:26 |
| 19. | "Turn You On" (featuring Capital FEMI, Rotimi) |
| DJ Coublon | 3:34 |
| 20. | "I Forget (Outro)" | Njeng-Njeng | 3:57 | |
| Total length: | 77:38 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21. | "Shake Body" | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:28 |
| 22. | "Shake Body (French Version)" (featuring Numerica) | Njeng-Njeng | Jay Pizzle | 3:28 |
Notes
- "—" denotes a skit
Samples
- "OMG!" samples "Someone Out of Town" by Yuna
Personnel
[edit]- Skales – primary artist
- Davido – featured artist
- Burna Boy – featured artist
- Ice Prince – featured artist
- Reekado Banks – featured artist
- Phyno – featured artist
- Capital FEMI – featured artist
- Rotimi – featured artist
- Olamide – featured artist
- Kenny Wonder – featured artist
- Olamide – featured artist
- Victoria Kimani – featured artist
- Numerica – featured artist
- Jay Pizzle – producer
- Drey Beatz – producer
- Kenny Wonder – producer
- Bobby Combz – producer
- Echo – producer
- TK – producer
- Spellz – producer
- Ganja Beatz – producer
- DJ Coublon – producer
- Orbeat – producer
- Uhuru – producer
References
[edit]- ^ Dayo Showemimo (18 February 2016). "NET Exclusive: Skales announces April 1 date for debut album". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "Skales – Man Of The Year (Album Tracklist)". Notjustok. 11 May 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Oluwafemi Adebanjo (6 May 2014). "Skales – Shake Body". Not just ok. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Skales Drops Music Video For His Single 'Shake Body'". Channels Television. 26 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Dayo Showemimo (20 January 2015). "Skales starts 2015 with two new singles". The Netng. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ Ayomide Tayo (10 June 2015). "Man of the Year is tiring and unimaginative". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Emmanuel Daraloye (18 June 2019). "Skales Is Not Man of The Year". The Lagos Review. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Jim Donnett (8 June 2015). "ALBUM REVIEW: Skales – Man of the Year". tooXclusive. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Dayo Showemimo (20 May 2015). "Album Review: Skales is NOT the 'Man of the Year'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ Wilfred Okiche (11 August 2015). "Album Review: Skales' "Man Of The Year"". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2025.