Man of the Year is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer and rapper Skales. Released on 18 May 2015 by Baseline Music, the album blends Afropop, hip-hop, and R&B, and features 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 supported by the singles "I Am for Real", "Je Kan Mo", "Always", "Ijo Ayo", and "Lo Le". His 2014 single, "Shake Body", appears as a bonus track, alongside its French version.
Born Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, Skales began his music career after meeting M.I Abaga and Jesse Jagz in 2007. After releasing his debut single "Must Shine" and appearing on the talent show Zain Tru Search, he moved to Lagos and signed with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), a label founded by Banky W. and Tunde Demuren. On 24 November 2011, he released his debut singles under the label: "Mukulu" and "Keresimesi" featuring Wizkid, both produced by Sarz. He was one of the main artists on the E.M.E compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind (2012), appearing on singles such as "Baddest Boy", "Ko Mo Le", "Sun Mo Mi", and "My Baby", among others.
After his contract with Empire Mates Entertainment expired in February 2014, Skales founded his label OHK Entertainment in May and subsequently signed with Baseline Music in July of that year. On 6 May 2014, Skales released "Shake Body" as his first single under OHK Entertainment. "Shake Body" appears on Man of the Year as a bonus track, along with its French version. The album version features Numerica, while the single version is performed solo by Skales. According to Nigerian Entertainment Today, Skales initially scheduled the album for release on 1 April 2015. The track list was revealed on 11 May 2015.
The album's lead singles, "I Am For Real" and "Je Kan Mo", were both released on 21 January 2015. "Always" featuring Davido, was released as the second single on 13 May 2015. The Olamide-assisted "Ijo Ayo" featuring Olamide was released on 15 May 2015 as the album's third single. The Uhuru-produced "Lo Le" was by Baseline Music and Universal Music South Africa released as the album's fourth single on 11 September 2015, and his debut single in South Africa.
Man of the Year garnered mixed reception from critics. Ayomide Tayo, in a review for Pulse Nigeria, called Man of the Year "bland and ordinary", saying that the 21-track project lacks "a proper sense of direction" and "floats out of one's consciousness before you get to the last song", and adding that it "was meant to be the final proof that Skales is a man who should be at the very top". He rated the album 2.5 out of 5. Writing for The Lagos Review, Emmanuel Daraloye criticized Man of the Year for lacking originality, writing that it "curiously begins in copycat mode" and largely "aggregat[es] sounds of potential hits" without a distinct identity. He noted that while Skales is "a competent singer" with "melodious" music, the album "will not leave a dance floor unattended but neither will it leave a lasting impression", placing it within the "mediocrity that is the rule with contemporary Nigerian songs".
TooXclusive Jim Donnett characterized the album as "kick ass material", despite being "tiring and draggy", with much of its impact resting on "production and vocal features". He concluded that Skales remains âÂÂmusically savvy, lyrically skilled, [and a] badass rapper", rating the album 3 out of 5. In a more positive perspective, Dayo Showemimo of Nigerian Entertainment Today said that the album's âÂÂsteady progressionâ across genres shows Skales' "impressive diversity" from rapper to singer. He acknowledged the absence of features from Skales' label mates, but said the project contains several standout songs and concluded that it "is a sure contender for the 'Album of the Year' crown", rating it 3.5 out of 5. Wilfred Okiche, writing for 360nobs criticized the album for its "blatant lack of personality" and said that Skales is "more man of the moment than Man of the year".
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