By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
Nigerian singer and rapper Skales is back in global conversations after his 2014 hit single Shake Body made a surprise return in a brand-new Adidas commercial starring Spanish football wonderkid, Lamine Yamal.
The upbeat Afro-dance track, which once dominated clubs and airwaves across Africa, is enjoying fresh attention nearly a decade after its release.
Shake Body was originally released as the lead single off Skales’ debut album, Man of the Year. The song, produced by Jay Pizzle, quickly became a continental anthem, praised for its infectious beat, catchy hook, and danceable rhythm.
It not only cemented Skales’ place as one of Nigeria’s hitmakers of the 2010s but also influenced the Afropop sound that continues to thrive today.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the track has crossed into global brand campaigns. In 2017, South African telecom giant Vodacom used Shake Body in a commercial, showing its wide appeal beyond Nigeria’s borders. But the Adidas placement is set to push the record even further, especially with Lamine Yamal’s star power attached.
Yamal, just 17 years old, is already regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, starring for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
His appearance in the Adidas ad—backed by Shake Body—has sparked new conversations online, with many fans of both music and football celebrating the perfect blend of Afrobeat energy and youthful sporting brilliance.
For Skales, this moment highlights the longevity and global reach of Afrobeats. While many songs fade with time, Shake Body has proven to be timeless, finding new life through cultural moments that connect music, sports, and branding.
Fans are now rediscovering the song on streaming platforms, with searches spiking since the Adidas campaign dropped.
It can be recalled that Skales has visited FC Barcelona in Spain and flew with players after winning the Copa Del Rey last season. The serial has however described this as “grace” and not “race” via a X tweet shortly after the ad became viral.
