JJC
JJC | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Abdul Rasheed Bello |
Also known as | Skillz |
Origin | Kano, Nigeria |
Genres |
Afro hip hop hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, record producer, DJ, songwriter |
Instruments | Rapping |
Years active | 2002–present |
Labels | Backbone Music |
Associated acts |
Big Brovaz The 419 Squad |
JJC (short for Johnny Just Come; Nigerian slang for a recent arrival, especially naïve newcomers) is the stage name for Abdul Rasheed Bello, a Nigerian rapper and record producer. He was born on 4 April 1977 in Kano, Nigeria, but has been based in London since 1991.
He has produced singles for UK pop acts such as Liberty X, Lemar and Big Brovaz. He is currently setting up his own production company, Backbone Music, and working with a number of developing new artists.
Early Life and Music Career
JJC was born and raised in the Northern part of Nigeria. He spent the first fourteen years of his life in Kano state. His father played a lot of country music, and JJC also got himself acquainted with different genres of music, ranging from Afrobeat by Fela Ransom Kuti to African Juju by Dr. Shina Peters, and later on Pop music by the legendary Michael Jackson. After he relocated to England in 1991, whilst he was at Dick Shepard School in Brixton he began to familiarize himself with the art of producing music records. Along with his friend, they founded the then known Big Brovaz music group. Big brovaz were MOBO award winners. In 2006, the popular band decided to split; due to poor album sales and three of the members initially leaving the group.
JJC founded another group known as the 419 squad, a Nigerian group of singers and rappers, (419 is the chapter of Fraud in the Nigerian Criminal code and also the streetname for the infamous Nigerian advance fee fraud. The group released their first album "Atide" meaning we have arrived. The group was composed of S.O. Simple, M.P. and Smokey, who were the three official acts . JJC has performed with the 419 Squad at numerous events, including WOMAD and the RESPECT festival. In 2004 they together won a KORA All African Music Award as best artists Westafrica. Their aim was to change the perception of fraudulent activities that has already been tagged ‘419’ in Nigeria. The group was known for their different style and flavour; their songs were both in English and Yoruba. The group was affiliated with other acts such as Dapo Oyebanjo,Dbanj, and Sidney Esiri A.K.A Dr Sid. JJC married Funke Akindele in 2016.[1]
JJC has released an album in 2015 titled SKILLZ SKILLZ ALBUM ft collaboration with Nigerian artist such as OLAMIDE, VECTOR, SKALES, VICTORIA KIMANI, ICE PRINCE, JUSTINA to name a few. The Skillz album has produced hit singles MY LIFE, SAVE THE LAST DANCE SOMEBODY LOVES YOU MOTIWA FT OLAMIDE married to Funke Akindele who is a Nigerian Actor, producer and Director. Funke Akindele introduced JJC into acting when JJC played the role of Marcus in her TV hit series "jenifa's diary".
References
- ↑ Marriage.., SunNewsOnline, Retrieved 21 September 2016
1.^"419 Squad" www.discodogs.com Retrieved 4 April 2014
2.^"Don Jazzy betrayed me – Dbanj" www.punchng.com Retrieved 4 April 2004
3.^"JJC" www.africanmusiciansprofiles.com/ Retrieved 4 April 2014
4.^"JJC & 419 Squad" www.womad.org Retrieved 4 April
External links
- Official website
- Profile on BBC site for Africa on your Street
- "Nigerians rap against fraud", BBC News, 15 August 2003