Nigerian singer and record producer Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz, has opened up on why he switched from making music to exploring Nollywood.
Speaking in a recent interview with Channels TV, the “We Are Africans” crooner revealed that he started to feel “too old” for the music industry and decided it was time to evolve. In his words:
“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.”
The singer-turned-filmmaker further revealed that his transition into Nollywood wasn’t easy. According to him, he faced gatekeeping from established industry players and struggled with unfair distribution systems. He revealed:
“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 monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.
Sometimes 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.”
Despite the challenges, JJC Skillz says his passion for storytelling keeps him pushing forward in Nollywood.
In other news, popular Nigerian music video director, ThankGod Omori Jesam, better known as TG Omori or Boy Director, has once again drawn attention to his health journey with an emotional post about the high cost of dialysis in Nigeria.
In a series of tweets, Omori revealed how overwhelming the expenses can be for the average Nigerian battling kidney failure.
The award-winning director also reflected on his own medical bills, saying:
“Saw my month’s health expenses, Omo 2 GLE and one small C300 bro! Health is wealth true true.”
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