Afrobeats star Skales is wearing his heart on his sleeve — and the world is watching. As his wife, Shaunetanique Burns, turned 26, the singer celebrated her with a cascade of words that read like a love song and a poem stitched together.
Shaunetanique Burns and Skales
“Happy birthday to the most amazing, ever-blazing, sensational, incredible… Stylish queen, your light’s divine, in every way you shine so bright… My heart, my muse, my greatest friend…” Skales gushed, praising her beauty, grace, and spirit in a lyrical tribute that carried the same cadence as his music.
But behind the romance lies a story of two worlds colliding: Afrobeats stardom and entrepreneurial vision. Shaunetanique, once a model and now the founder of LuxeLook, is more than just the singer’s muse. In 2024, she co-founded International CNNCT alongside Oyeyemi Efunkoya, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting international students in the U.S. Through art, fashion, music, and storytelling, the duo has created a platform where cultural identity is not just celebrated but amplified.
Shaunetanique Burns
Shaunetanique Burns
Their mission mirrors Skales’ own path. Born Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, Skales has lived the long road of hustle, heartbreak, and triumph in the Nigerian music scene. His breakout anthem “Shake Body”, released in 2014, remains a cultural touchstone. The track dominates dance floors across Africa and has also found new life globally from viral dance challenges to celebratory clips by international footballers, including Barcelona’s stars. “Shake Body” cemented Skales as one of Afrobeats’ architects during the genre’s global breakout.
Now, a decade later, as Afrobeats pulses through the veins of the world’s music charts, Skales is charting a softer rhythm — one that celebrates love, family, and legacy. His words to Shaunetanique echo intimacy that reflects a man whose artistry has matured from club anthems to life anthems.
For Shaunetanique, turning 26 marks another chapter of impact. With CNNCT, she’s nurturing a new generation of international and first-generation students, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and celebrated. For Skales, it’s about harmonizing his global influence with the intimacy of family life.
Together, they embody the modern Afrobeats fairytale: where beats meet business, and love becomes a stage bigger than music.
