Nigerian rapper and singer Skales, born Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, always makes a thunderous introduction—just take his 2014 smash "Shake Body", which begins with a cacophonous orchestral explosion. Skales first made waves in 2009 with hit "Mukulu", sending his honey-coated vocals rippling across Nigerian airwaves. Subsequent releases have moved toward a more global pop sound; tracks like "Temper" draw influence from Drake with shadowy keyboards, plaintive tones and sticky, understated hooks. But Skales never strays too far from his roots, collaborating with some of the biggest names in Afropop.