In a candid and emotionally charged interview on the Echo Room podcast, veteran Nigerian rapper and singer JJC Skillz has leveled serious accusations against some of the biggest names in Nigerian music, alleging that Don Jazzy, D’banj, and other members of the defunct Mo’Hits collective conspired against him during what should have been a collaborative period in the mid-2000s.
The UK-based Nigerian entertainer, whose real name is Abdul Rasheed-Bello, painted a picture of generosity met with betrayal as he recounted his early interactions with the group that would go on to become one of the most influential forces in Afrobeats.
According to JJC’s account, the relationship began through mutual industry connections. He claims it was artist Cass who first introduced him to Don Jazzy, while producer Ayo brought DJ Abbas into the fold. The initial meeting occurred through their involvement with a television station, where JJC says he was transparent about his intentions from the start.
“I openly told them I needed help getting introduced to the right people in Nigeria,” JJC explained during the podcast, suggesting he was seeking to establish stronger connections within the domestic music scene after building his career primarily in the UK.
What followed, by his account, was a period of collaboration that included recording sessions with Don Jazzy and D’banj. However, JJC alleges that beneath the surface of this apparent partnership, the group was orchestrating something entirely different.
The situation allegedly took a dark turn when JJC received word through fellow rapper Ruggedman that the Mo’Hits members had been making damaging statements about him behind his back. According to JJC, they accused him of financial impropriety—specifically, that he was cheating them out of money and refusing to pay them for their work.
JJC’s response to these allegations was one of genuine shock and indignation. He vehemently denied the claims, pointing out what he describes as the substantial support he provided to the group during their time together.
“I housed them, fed them, clothed them, and took them to shows,” JJC stated emphatically, painting himself as a mentor figure who provided crucial infrastructure and opportunities to artists who were still establishing themselves.
Perhaps the most pointed moment in JJC’s rebuttal came when he addressed the financial accusations directly. “How can I be cheating you when you haven’t made any money?” he asked, suggesting that at the time of their collaboration, the group had not yet achieved the commercial success that would later define their careers.
JJC positioned himself as the established artist in the relationship, claiming he was the one doing the introducing and “putting them out there” in the industry. This framing suggests he viewed himself not as an exploiter but as a facilitator whose resources and connections were being leveraged for the group’s benefit.
The allegations come years after the Mo’Hits crew disbanded in 2012 following a highly publicized split between Don Jazzy and D’banj. The label was home to some of Nigeria’s biggest stars and helped define the sound of Afrobeats in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
JJC Skillz himself has had a storied career in the entertainment industry, spanning music production, acting, and reality television. He was previously married to Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, though the couple separated in 2022.
As of now, neither Don Jazzy, D’banj, nor any of the other parties mentioned have responded publicly to JJC’s claims. Given the stature of all involved and the seriousness of the allegations, the entertainment industry will be watching closely to see if any of the accused parties choose to address these decades-old grievances.
The interview serves as a reminder that behind the glitz and glamour of the music industry often lie complex relationships, competing narratives, and unresolved tensions that can simmer for years before being brought to light.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Veteran rapper JJC Skillz has publicly accused Don Jazzy, D’banj, and other Mo’Hits members of betrayal, claiming that after he housed, fed, and helped introduce them to Nigeria’s music industry in the mid-2000s, they allegedly conspired against him and falsely accused him of cheating them financially.
JJC maintains he was supporting them when they had yet to achieve commercial success, making the accusations of financial exploitation baseless. The allegations remain unaddressed by the accused parties, leaving a decades-old dispute now thrust into public view.
