In the latest, jaw-dropping entertainment revelation to rock the Nigerian music scene, veteran singer and producer Abdulrasheed Bello, widely known as JJC Skillz, has reignited a long-standing controversy involving two of Afrobeat’s superstars — Don Jazzy and D’banj. In a deeply personal interview on the Echo Room podcast, JJC Skillz laid bare a story of mentorship, betrayal, and unresolved grievances dating back to the early days of modern Nigerian music. The allegations — simple in wording but seismic in implication — have once again thrust the complex dynamics of Nigeria’s creative industry into the spotlight.
From UK Beginnings to Nigerian Music Dreams: How It All Started
To truly understand this controversy, we must travel back to the formative years of JJC Skillz’s career — to the United Kingdom, where he established himself as an artist long before Afrobeat became a global phenomenon.
JJC Skillz was a pioneering presence in the UK music circuit, known for his work with groups like JJC & the 419 Squad and collaborations with UK hip-hop acts. By the early 2000s, he had built a reputation as an artist capable of blending Nigerian rhythms with international influences — a sound that laid the foundation for what Afrobeat would eventually become.
It was during this period that JJC claimed fate brought him into contact with a group of aspiring artists who would later go on to become household names in Nigeria. Among them were Don Jazzy — then a relatively unknown keyboardist and budding producer — and D’banj, whose charismatic presence hinted at future stardom.
According to JJC Skillz, these early relationships were rooted in collaboration and mutual ambition. He says Cass (another industry figure) introduced him to Don Jazzy, while Ayo brought in DJ Abass and others. They weren’t just colleagues — they were part of a shared struggle to break into the industry, to find their footing in a business that was, at the time, much smaller and far less structured than it is today.
‘Under Me Then’: The Mentorship That Sparked Success — and Bitterness
JJC Skillz’s interview suggests he provided more than just creative collaboration — he says he sheltered, fed, clothed, and showcased these future stars before they were famous. He recounts taking them to shows, integrating them into projects, and believing wholeheartedly that they would help him penetrate the Nigerian music industry with the same drive that had built his UK presence.
“I was the one taking them to shows, accommodating, feeding and clothing them… They were under me then.” — JJC Skillz, Echo Room Interview
This narrative aligns with broader industry lore: many rising Nigerian artists often started in diaspora scenes, pooling resources, learning the craft, and building networks long before any major label deals. But for JJC Skillz, the stakes were personal — and the fallout would become lifelong.
He admitted that when he decided to return to Nigeria and sought to reconnect with major industry players, he counted on Don Jazzy, D’banj, Ayo, and DJ Abass to open doors. He believed they had the connections and the networks necessary to introduce him back into Nigeria’s rapidly evolving music market.
Allegations of Conspiracy & ‘Cheating’ — The Rift Widens
Where mentorship once existed, JJC Skillz says he found conspiracy and distortion of his intentions. During the Echo Room discussion, he claimed that while he thought everyone was working toward mutual success, behind the scenes others were crafting a different narrative — one that ultimately undermined his career.
According to him, he was later informed — via fellow musician Ruggedman — that D’banj had been spreading rumors that JJC had “cheated” those he supported financially and professionally during their UK days. This allegation, JJC argues, makes little sense given that none of the artists had made substantial money at that time.
“How can I be cheating you when you haven’t made any money?” — JJC Skillz
The claim of conspiracy goes deeper. JJC suggested that the same group that promised to help him integrate into the Nigerian music scene instead worked against him, isolating him and ultimately abandoning their original pact. The allegation is not merely professional but deeply personal — a sense of betrayal that echoes the recurring theme of unacknowledged contributions by pioneers in creative industries.
The Silence From Don Jazzy & D’banj — And Industry Reaction
At the time of writing, neither Don Jazzy nor D’banj has publicly responded to JJC Skillz’s latest claims. Silence in such high-profile situations often sparks its own narratives. Fans, commentators, and industry watchers have taken to social media, debating the implications and dissecting the history of Mo’Hits Records, the duo’s legendary 2000s label that launched multiple careers and defined an era of Nigerian pop music.
It’s worth noting that Don Jazzy and D’banj’s journey is well documented: Mo’Hits Records was co-founded by the pair and became one of the most influential labels in Nigerian music before splitting amid disagreements in 2012. After the dissolution, Don Jazzy went on to establish Mavin Records, signing artists like Reekado Banks and Ayra Starr, while D’banj continued as a solo act with multiple hits.
The lack of immediate comment has left room for speculation, but it also underscores an important aspect of public disputes: those who have already cemented legendary status sometimes choose silence to avoid fueling controversy, while others let narratives unfold without legal escalation.
Industry Veterans Speak: A Pattern, Not an Isolated Incident?
JJC Skillz’s accusations resonate with long-standing discussions about recognition, legacy, and credit in the Nigerian music industry. Countless artists have, over the years, shared stories about feeling overlooked, undervalued, or mis-credited for foundational work in collaborative relationships.
The idea of mentorship turning sour is not unique to JJC’s story. In many creative ecosystems — globally and in Nigeria — early collaborators often find themselves at odds once fame, influence, and economic stakes rise. Yet JJC’s claims carry extra weight because they re-center the narrative on contributions that pre-date the Afrobeat explosion of the last decade.
That said, these allegations remain uncorroborated in the absence of mutual testimony or legal documentation. What does emerge — however — is a poignant conversation about how stories are written, histories are told, and contributions are remembered.
Legacy, Recognition & What Comes Next
JJC Skillz’s statements do more than stir controversy — they offer a reflective lens on how legacies in music are formed, contested, and sometimes forgotten. Whether or not history ultimately vindicates his version of events, the interview has already fueled renewed interest in the early days of modern Nigerian music and the artists who helped shape its rise.
For fans and industry watchers, this story raises crucial questions:
How should contributions be credited in collaborative creative industries?
Do rising stars owe acknowledgment to early mentors and facilitators?
What is the role of narrative control in shaping modern music history?
As the conversation unfolds, one thing is clear: JJC Skillz’s allegations have reopened a chapter of Nigeria’s music legacy that many assumed was closed. Whether further responses emerge, whether rebuttals are issued, or whether legal action follows, the story has already left an indelible mark on how we remember the rise of Afrobeat and the complex web of relationships behind it.
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