Afrobeats artist Skales has taken to social media to publicly defend Burna Boy amid rising online criticism targeted at the Grammy-winning star.
In a strongly worded post on his X account, Skales made it clear that he has nothing but respect for Burna Boy, especially regarding their past collaboration on the “Temper” remix.
Addressing the ongoing online discourse, Skales firmly stated, “Please and please, 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.” His message was a direct response to fans who misinterpreted Burna’s decision to perform the song as a slight or an attempt to capitalize on Skales’ recent wave of success.
The controversy ignited after Burna Boy performed his verse on the “Temper” remix during his headlining set at the prestigious Jazz Fest in New Orleans.
The performance, which many fans welcomed with nostalgia and excitement, was oddly met with backlash by a few online critics.
Some accused Burna of being opportunistic, suggesting he only chose to revisit the track because of Skales’ recent popularity surge, especially following the revival of his 2014 hit “Shake Body.”
These accusations quickly spread across social media, prompting Skales to step in and shut down the negative narrative.
Skales emphasized that Burna Boy has consistently kept “Temper” remix in his live performances long before any viral resurgence of his own catalog.
He dismissed claims that Burna’s choice to perform the track was based on trend-chasing or rivalry. “Let’s be guided,” Skales added in a follow-up tweet, reinforcing the idea that their musical connection remains rooted in mutual respect and genuine collaboration.
The artist also called out the tendency of fans and blogs to stoke unnecessary drama between artists who share history and success.
The current buzz around Skales is largely due to the unexpected viral revival of “Shake Body,” which was originally released over a decade ago.
Thanks to a viral TikTok trend sparked by Barcelona football star Yamine Yamal, who posted multiple dance clips using the track, the song has found new life among Gen Z and younger music lovers.
This sudden resurgence has not only boosted Skales’ visibility but also sparked renewed interest in his earlier discography, including collaborations like the “Temper” remix with Burna Boy.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy continues to break international records and represent African music on the global stage. In 2025 alone, he has made history by selling out the UK’s largest indoor arena and the 80,000-capacity Stade de France in Paris.
Despite their individual paths, both artists are enjoying significant commercial success this year.
Skales’ public statement serves as both a defense of Burna Boy and a reminder that not all viral moments need to be weaponized into fan wars.
“Much respect to Odg,” Skales reiterated, making it clear that unity and respect remain his priorities in an industry often plagued by rivalry.
