Veteran entertainer Abdulrasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skillz, has opened up about his decision to leave music behind and fully embrace filmmaking.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds on Sunday, the former rapper and producer explained that he felt out of place in the youthful, fast-paced music industry.
“As far back as I can remember, I have been shooting music videos for years. Even my ‘We Are Africans’ video, I shot that myself,” he recalled.
“But after doing African Gang in 2011, I realised I was getting too old for the young scene, so I knew it was time to evolve. I packed my bags and moved into Nollywood. I was very passionate about telling stories,” he added.
The 48-year-old revealed that breaking into Nollywood wasn’t easy. Despite his earlier success in the UK, he had to start all over again when he returned to Nigeria.
“I wouldn’t say normal life when you’re starting again. I was a JJC (newbie). I didn’t grow up with most of the filmmakers in Nigeria, so it was like, ‘You want to enter our space?’ Some doors were closed. There are gatekeepers at all levels,” he explained.
JJC Skillz credited actor Deyemi Okanlawon and filmmaker Funke Akindele with giving him a push when others were hesitant, saying both believed in his potential and offered encouragement.
On the state of the Nigerian film industry, he criticized the distribution and ticketing system that leaves little reward for filmmakers.
“Nigerian filmmakers need to improve to give the people value. I’ve even had to market my film with a promise of refunds if viewers weren’t satisfied,” he revealed.
“It’s a situation of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop. We put in a lot of work. Sometimes, the cinemas take 70 per cent, other times 60 per cent, and after paying 22 per cent tax, we’re left with nothing. We have to make the film and also sell it because distribution companies aren’t out there selling. We are stuck in a horrible place,” JJC lamented.
He also expressed concern over the exit of major streaming platforms, which had once seemed like a lifeline for Nollywood.
“The hope for a better day was with streaming companies, but they’ve left. So now we’re back to asking, ‘if we put our money into it, will we get it back?’ At the end of the day, it’s a business, and creativity is getting killed.”
Before Nollywood, JJC Skillz was a household name in the UK music scene, co-founding Big Brovaz and later forming JJC & the 419 Squad. With hits such as We Are Africans, he went on to win the KORA Award for Best African Group and the NEA Best International Artist.
Since making the switch to film, he has co-created Industreet, directed episodes of Jenifa’s Diary, co-directed the blockbuster Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and recently helmed Amazon Prime’s She Must Be Obeyed. His latest release, Hakeem: Seeking Justice, has been praised for its ambitious action scenes and Hollywood-style stunts.
