JJC Skillz finally reveals reason behind career transition

Nigerian singer and record producer Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz has spoken on the reason behind his transition from making music to exploring film.

In an interview with Channels TV, JJC revealed that he started feeling too old for the music scene. He said that this realization made him start his filmmaking journey.

“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. 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 said.

JJC also spoke on being treated like a newbie while venturing into the movie industry. He opened up on experiencing gatekeeping, and some support he received from notable Nigerian filmmakers.

“I wouldn’t say normal life when you’re starting again. I was a JJC (newbie) and 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. 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,” he said.