Nigerian artist Skales is experiencing a remarkable revival in his music career, propelled by the viral resurgence of his decade-old single Shake Body on TikTok. 

Now, riding the wave of renewed popularity, he’s set to release a new single that pays homage to one of the unlikely figures behind his comeback—Barcelona's teenage football sensation, Lamine Yamal.

The upcoming track, titled Dance Like Lamine Yamal, is both a tribute and a strategic follow-up to Shake Body's renewed success. 

The original song has found a fresh audience through TikTok, where it recently exploded in popularity, pushing Skales to cross the milestone of one million monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time in his career.

At the center of this viral phenomenon is Lamine Yamal himself. The 16-year-old forward has become a TikTok icon, with over 26 million followers and individual videos racking up hundreds of millions of views. 

One such video, featuring Yamal dancing to Shake Body, is credited with launching the track back into the global spotlight—garnering an impressive 126 million views.

Skales’ decision to title his new song after the footballer highlights the growing interplay between sports, social media, and music in shaping modern pop culture. It's a recognition of Yamal’s indirect yet pivotal role in resurrecting Shake Body and offering Skales a fresh shot at global recognition.

This trend isn’t new to Nigerian music. In recent years, TikTok has proven to be a powerful engine for rediscovering and reviving old hits. 

A notable example is highlife legend Mike Ejeagha, whose 1983 track Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo enjoyed a viral run in 2024 after comedian Brain Jotter incorporated it into his skits. 

Similarly, CKay’s Love Nwantiti gained massive international traction years after its initial release, largely due to its popularity on the platform.

By channeling the momentum of his newfound virality into Dance Like Lamine Yamal, Skales not only celebrates the teenage athlete who helped breathe new life into his career, but also stakes a claim in the evolving space where music and social media meet. 

The move could mark the beginning of a sustained comeback—fueled by nostalgia, digital virality, and savvy cultural alignment.