Why I Transitioned From Music To Filmmaking — JJC Skillz

Filmmaker and former musician JJC Skillz, alias Abdulrasheed Bello, has explained why he left the music scene for Nollywood.

JJC, who made a guest appearance on Sunday’s Rubbin’ Minds programme on Channels Television, revealed that he felt “too old” for the youthful energy of the 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.

“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.

On the challenges of breaking into film, JJC, who delved into filmmaking in the early 2010s, explained that he had to start afresh in Nigeria and experience gatekeeping, despite his earlier success in the UK.

“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 credited actor Deyemi Okanlawon and filmmaker Funke Akindele for supporting his journey, saying they believed in his talent and encouraged him when others were hesitant.

Turning to the challenges of cinema ticketing in Nigeria, he stressed that filmmakers must give audiences value for money. He lamented the poor revenue share filmmakers receive, describing it as “horrible.”

“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.

“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.

The 48-year-old filmmaker noted that while the arrival of streaming platforms once offered hope, their gradual exit from Nigeria has left filmmakers uncertain about recouping investments.

“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.”

JJC Skillz first made his mark in the UK music scene, co-founding Big Brovaz and later JJC & the 419 Squad, with hits like We Are Africans. He won the KORA Award for Best African Group and the NEA Best International Artist before transitioning into Nollywood.

He has since co-created Industreet, directed episodes of Jenifa’s Diary, co-directed the blockbuster Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and most recently helmed Amazon Prime’s She Must Be Obeyed. In early August, he released Hakeem: Seeking Justice, which is credited for its action scale with Hollywood-level stunts.