Promoting my fatherland through music, my calling -Skillz

Popularly known as Johnny Just Come (JJC) or Skillz, Abdulrasheed Bello has been a major hit maker over the years, both in the Nigerian and European music industries. In this interview with DOYIN ADEOYE, the co-founder of the 419 Squad shared his passion for anything African, his style of music, among other things.

When exactly did music become your passion?

Music for me started at an early age, about when I was 12 years old. It was more of Apala back then. I remember I would go from door to door singing to people just to entertain them. I did that right until I went to the United Kingdom (UK) when I was 14. But professionally, I started music when I was 19.

How was the experience, starting music at that age?

I started out as JJC, but it was hard for me to get acceptance from a lot of people back then, because I spoke more of pidgin english. After I did my first song called ‘a ti de’, I realised I didn’t have a lot of followers around me. So I created my own group called Big Brothers. In 2000, I got signed to the MOBO and that was when everything changed.

How did you come about the name JJC?

My accent and approach to everything gave me the name. I would approach people and tell them that my name was Rashidi from Nigeria. So people started calling me JJC. It was insult upon insult that created the name. But the fact is, it doesn’t matter if you are a JJC or not if you can go anywhere and achieve. So being a JJC doesn’t mean that you are backward, it just means you are fresh. Obviously, going to England, I created the first black group that got signed to a major label doing hip hop and RnB in the UK.

What was the relationship between JJC and the 419 squad?

The 419 squad used to come to the studio when I was in UK and eventually we became a team, JJC and the 419 squad. But we’ve all gone our separate ways now doing our things, but we are still friends.

How did you develop the passion for African music?

My passion for music is influenced by life, the things that happen day to day. So that is why I started my music to promote Nigeria and Africa, because back then, people tried to put me down, telling me to go back to my country. But that only influenced me to create a stronger identifying personality in the UK, as a leader of the Afropean music as it was called then.

I’ve always had that mentality. I couldn’t take anyone saying anything negative about where I come from. Although as at that time, people were shy about being African, mainly because they were trying to hide from the law so that they don’t get deported, but it made me stand out, because as at then, I would climb the stage, screaming Nigeria is the best land, gba o!

Define your style of music?

I call it Afropean, a blend of African and European music, which fuses our traditional pattern of music with the European style of music.

Your produce energetic videos, what motivates that?

Personally, I like club music and I try to dance as much as possible to keep myself looking young and feeling fresh. Dancing is part of my day-to-day activities. My videos are reflections of my character. I like bringing people together and having fun, so that reflects in my work. I am the last of 13 children from the same parents, so all my life, it has always been a party scene, with people always around. So when I direct videos, I try to come up with new inventive ways to get people involved and have fun.

JJC over the years have become a brand both locally and abroad, how did you achieve that?

It took several years of hard work and not giving up. While in the UK, I had always been working with different African artistes, developing them, writing for them, producing or shooting videos for them, making sure that I keep some kind of profile alive. So, doing that over time, JJC become an international African brand.

What are the challenges you faced in the course of your career?

My first challenge was my accent. When I got to England, people told me I wasn’t speaking good English, but instead of fighting the power, I just started doing African rap. So instead of conforming to what the society wanted me to be, I just started doing Yoruba rap.

Your videos have the Nigerian street vibes in them. How do you achieve that?

It takes a lot of planning. I try to do something fresh that would captivate people’s imagination. For instance, when I did ‘we are Africans,’ Nigeria itself was in the video. I travelled down to Nigeria to shoot the video on Lagos streets and I got major players in the industry at that time involved in the remix. There were the likes of Femi Kuti, El dee, Dagrin and others in it.

Then I did roughly the same thing with the African Skank, I got Nollywood and music stars involved. It was a flash mob, where everyone came around to do the same dance routine.

What memorable moments do you have in your career?

There are quite a lot, but one that would stay on my mind for a long time was when I shot the African Skank video. I was standing on a bus and when I looked around, the street was filled. There were celebrities and dancers everywhere, it was overwhelming, because I felt after all these years, I was still able to get such support from people.

Which track brought you to limelight?

I would say New Flow brought me to limelight and up till now, it is still a song to reckon with. But personally, ‘We are Africans’ is a song that I’d always be proud that I made. We’ve had six remixes in six African countries and it would still continue. So even though it doesn’t seem like a major hit anymore in Nigeria, in another African country, the stars are coming together to make the song. I’m just overwhelmed.

Would you say the Nigerian entertainment industry is at its best?

I wouldn’t say it’s at its best, but it is definitely better and we would soon reach that threshold where we could say the industry is at its best. We are roughly the best in Africa though.

What was your family like and how was the experience of growing up with 12 siblings?

My father is from Ilorin, Kwara State, while my mother is from Urhobo in Delta State. Growing up with my siblings was fun, although I was bullied a lot. I was the last born, so I had to do most of the work, but at the same time, I was pampered. I had 12 people to run to anytime I needed something. My brother bought me my first DJ equipment, while my sister gave me the money to record my first single. So, it was fun.

Why is JJC still single?

I would have been married by now, but unfortunately, I messed up. My fiancée and I back then were happy together, but when the realisation came for me to return to Nigeria, she didn’t want to come home with me. That’s was when we broke up.

So is anyone in the picture now?

No, I’m single and I wouldn’t say I’m searching, because I’m so involved in my career. But I’m definitely hopeful for the right person.

What’s your educational background?

I attended the Gwagwaruwa Primary School and Stadium Secondary School in Kano State, where I did my junior secondary school education before travelling abroad. I attended the Shepherd Secondary School and Albert College in the UK, before I proceeded to a private polytechnic where I studied television and video production, also in the UK.

What can’t you do without at any moment?

My computer is my baby. The first thing I do when I enter a room is turn on my computer.

How do you relax?

I love watching movies and I love holidays, especially somewhere by the sea side.