In a revealing interview on the Echoo Room’s “LINKUP” series, veteran music producer and artist JJC Skillz leveled serious allegations against industry giants Don Jazzy and D’Banj. The pioneer, born Abdulrasheed Bello, claimed the duo conspired to undermine his career and isolate him from the Nigerian music scene they once built together.
Skillz detailed a pivotal moment in 2009 when he attempted to collaborate with the Mo’ Hits stars on a remix of his hit “We Are Africans.” Despite his history of housing, feeding, and mentoring both artists in London, he alleged they ignored his calls. He later learned through a mutual associate that the pair explicitly told others to avoid working with him to prevent him from “riding on their shine.”
The question I keep asking is, for what?
JJC Skillz
The producer further alleged that D’Banj eventually admitted to “stealing” Don Jazzy from him and threatened to do the same with other talents Skillz was developing at the time. JJC Skillz described the situation as a deliberate attempt to erase his contributions to Afrobeats history.
While Don Jazzy and D’Banj have not released official responses to these specific claims, the allegations highlight long-standing tensions regarding the origins of the modern Nigerian music industry. This report matters because JJC Skillz is widely credited with providing the platform that launched many careers, and these claims suggest a deep-seated rift among the genre’s founding fathers.
Africentra is goint to monitor official social media channels for potential statements from Don Jazzy or D’Banj.
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