Veteran singer, producer and filmmaker Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz, has accused music executives Don Jazzy and D’banj of betraying him during their formative years in the United Kingdom.
JJC Skillz made the allegations during a recent interview on Echo Room, where he revisited his early collaborations with the duo and other associates. According to him, the relationship soured despite the support he claimed to have provided them at the time.
He alleged that Don Jazzy, D’banj, Ayo and DJ Abass conspired against him while he was accommodating and mentoring them. JJC Skillz said he was introduced to Don Jazzy through a mutual contact identified as Taz, while Ayo came through DJ Abass, noting that they were all involved in running a television station in the UK.
The filmmaker explained that tensions escalated when he sought their help to gain access to key players in Nigeria’s music industry, as he was not fully familiar with the local scene. He said although they eventually linked him up with industry figure Bankulli, he later sensed that there were underlying motives.
JJC Skillz further claimed that rapper Ruggedman informed him of plans by Don Jazzy and D’banj to leave his group, alongside allegations that he had cheated them financially during their time working together in the UK.
Reacting to the accusation, JJC Skillz dismissed the claims as unfounded, insisting that the artists had not earned any income at the time. He maintained that he was responsible for their welfare, promotion and exposure, including feeding, clothing and accommodating them while taking them to shows.
He questioned how he could have cheated them financially when, according to him, they had yet to generate any earnings during that period.