Why JJC Skillz Swapped Music for Nollywood
Abdulrasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skillz, has opened up on why he traded the mic for the camera, shifting from music to filmmaking.
Speaking on Rubbin’ Minds on Sunday, the entertainer explained that he began to feel out of place in the youthful energy of the music industry.
“I’ve been shooting videos for years—even my own We Are Africans video. But after African Gang in 2011, I realised I was getting too old for that scene. It was time to evolve, so I moved fully into Nollywood. Storytelling became my passion,” he said.
Breaking into Nollywood
Despite his earlier success in the UK, JJC admitted that starting afresh in Nigeria wasn’t easy. He described himself as a JJC—a complete newcomer—facing closed doors and industry gatekeepers.
Fortunately, he found encouragement from colleagues like Funke Akindele and Deyemi Okanlawon, who believed in his talent and supported him at a time when others were hesitant.
The Money Struggle in Filmmaking
Turning to the business side of cinema, JJC was candid about the financial hurdles filmmakers face. He criticized the revenue split between cinemas and producers, calling it “horrible.”
“Sometimes cinemas take as much as 70 percent. After taxes, there’s barely anything left. We make the film, we market it, but distribution isn’t backing us. It feels like monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” he lamented.
To prove his commitment to giving viewers value, JJC even went as far as promising refunds for anyone unsatisfied with his film.
The Streaming Setback
The filmmaker also reflected on the short-lived hope streaming platforms once offered. Their gradual pullout from Nigeria, he said, has left many creators wondering if investing in films is still worth it.
“At the end of the day, it’s business. If you can’t recover your money, creativity suffers,” he noted.
From Hits to the Big Screen
Before Nollywood, JJC was already a force in the UK music scene. He co-founded Big Brovaz and JJC & the 419 Squad, winning awards like the KORA for Best African Group and the NEA for Best International Artist.
Since switching paths, he has left his mark in Nollywood—co-creating Industreet, directing episodes of Jenifa’s Diary, co-directing the record-breaking Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and most recently leading Amazon Prime’s She Must Be Obeyed.
This year, he added another milestone with Hakeem: Seeking Justice, praised for its Hollywood-style action sequences.
