Veteran music producer and rapper, JJC Skillz, has accused Nigerian music stars D’banj and Don Jazzy, alongside music executive Ayo Sonaiya, of conspiring to undermine him and abandon his record label.
JJC made the allegation during a recent interview on the Echoroom podcast, where he reflected on the early days of his relationship with the Mo’Hits founders and how it eventually broke down.
According to JJC, his connection with Don Jazzy was first facilitated by Ayo Sonaiya at a time when he was well-established in the United Kingdom music scene. He said he later brought Don Jazzy under his wing and mentored him in music production.
“I brought Don Jazzy in and taught him how to make music,” JJC said, adding that he deliberately relied on Don Jazzy’s familiarity with Nigeria to penetrate the local music market.
He explained that the strategy paid off during a major Nigerian tour in 2004, which he described as a turning point for the careers of Don Jazzy and D’banj. JJC said he recruited media personality Bankuli to help promote his artistes, including the then-emerging duo.
“The tour was a success. That was what really introduced them to the industry,” he said.
However, JJC noted that tensions soon emerged. He claimed rapper Ruggedman later informed him of rumours that D’banj and Don Jazzy were planning to leave Backbone Records, accusing him of financial misconduct.
The situation reportedly reached a breaking point when JJC presented his artistes with a formal contract proposing an equal 50/50 revenue-sharing arrangement.
“As soon as I gave them the contract, they all started running around,” he alleged. “None of them signed. D’banj didn’t sign. Don Jazzy didn’t sign. Even my own boys, 419 Squad, did not sign.”
JJC dismissed claims that he exploited the artistes, listing what he described as his personal investments in their careers.
“I’m the one who took them to shows. I bought their clothes. They lived in my house. I carried them everywhere,” he said.
The estrangement, he added, deepened years later. JJC recalled that in 2009, while working on a remix of his hit song We Are Africans, he approached the now-successful Mo’Hits Records for a collaboration but was turned down.
Reflecting on the experience, JJC alleged a coordinated effort against him involving several industry figures.
“Don Jazzy, D’banj, Ayo, DJ Abass, they all conspired against me. They knew exactly what they were doing,” he said.
Despite the setback, JJC said he moved on and rebuilt momentum by collaborating with other artistes, including Da Grin, DJ Zeez, and Femi Kuti, which resulted in a successful release and subsequent shows in London.
The accused parties have not publicly responded to JJC Skillz’s claims at the time of filing this report.
