WOMAD

JJC & 419 Squad

From Nigeria, United Kingdom

To the UK Urban/pop/mainstream music scene London-based JJC is better known as Skillz, a sought-after producer whose credits include Big Brovaz, Liberty X, Jamelia and Lemar. In fact, he is also the founder of Big Brovaz, recipients of two MOBO awards (Best UK Act and Best Newcomer), and was a one-time performing member with the group (check out the “Nu Flow” video).But 26-year old Nigerian-born JJC (real name Abdul Rasheed Bello) is also an artist in his own right whose music is an exciting, fresh fusion of hip-hop, African flavours and much more, defying categorisation. It is a prominent departure from the more mainstream sound of Big Brovaz. JJC’s unique rapping, half English and half Yoruba (his native Nigerian language) stems from his belief to be real to himself: "I find myself speaking half English, half Yoruba and if I write a song I'm gonna do it half English and half Yoruba. When I first started rapping that way, it was a joke – but friends suggested that I took it seriously seeing how real and different it was." His humorous and positive approach, as shown in his lyrics, adds to the universal appeal. JJC’s group, 419 Squad, is an all-Nigerian hip-hop/R’n’B outfit consisting of three full-time members S.O. Simple (18), M.P. (25) and Smokey (25), plus a number of guest vocalists. 419 Squad are named after section 419 of Nigeria's criminal code, which makes the infamous Nigerian advance fee fraud illegal (i.e. the emails promising X% of millions of dollars) and is also a play on the word ‘fraud squad’. And as for 'JJC', this stands for 'Johnny just come', a term used to describe naïve African newcomers to countries such as the UK. It's a playful insult that African people tease other Africans with.JJC arrived in South London’s inner-city neighbourhoods, aged 14, after having been raised in Kano, Nigeria's third biggest city in the North of the country. Music had been an important part in his upbringing and it helped him make sense of his new environment: "I grew up in Nigeria with my dad listening to country music, especially Don Williams, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Then I started getting into Nigerian music like [Afro-Juju by] Sir Shina Peters and [Afrobeat by] Fela Kuti, and later Michael Jackson and pop music." As a teenager he became consumed by hip-hop, and the music room at Dick Shepherd School in Brixton became his escape as well as the springboard that eventually led to the formation of Big Brovaz (initially a production company and collective).In 2003, JJC released his first album, entitled “Atide” (meaning “We have arrived” in Yoruba). The album is independently marketed, promoted and distributed by his production company Backbone Music. Despite the lack of backing by a major label or distributor, the strength of the music, its originality and determination, meant a lot has been achieved: The album has received critical acclaim from many different sources (see quotes below) and it is probably the only release ever to be reviewed in the World Music section of the BBC’s music web site as well as the Urban Music section (with no “EXPLICIT CONTENT/PARENTAL GUIDANCE’ sticker in sight). While tracks like “Jekalo” and the life-affirming “Majaye” contain traditional elements, the album goes far beyond what’s usually described as World music. The title track of “Atide” (feat. Cherise from Big Brovaz) is a Latin-flavoured Anglo-Yoruba feel-good anthem which has been featured in Stephen Frears’ Oscar-nominated film Dirty Pretty Things and will also be included on Wrasse Records’ Charlie Gillett 2004 compilation this summer. There are also elements of salsa (“Malemicita” – soon to be included on Union Square’s Afrobeat Sessions compilation). When asked about the dilemma of where to file his album JJC has the perfect response: “Under J of course!“While party tracks make up most of JJC's repertoire (e.g. “Ewajo” which has also just been included on Manteca/ Union Square Music’s Global Hip Hop compilation), even when the lyrics touch on more serious issues, such as the ethnic and language divides among Nigerians (i.e. Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo, etc), there is still a light-hearted, positive approach. JJC concentrates on the perspective of young Nigerians outside their native country, like the curious fact that a number of young UK-based Nigerians 'want to be Jamaicans' (“Gbao”) - "We are all Africans", JJC remarks. Whilst a lot of people may not understand all of the songs’ lyrics, the mix of Yoruba and English works very well because of the way the words are constructed and the energy behind the performance. For your first Yoruba language lesson, check out “Kilonshele” (meaning “What’s up?”), which is also the second video off the album, after the title track, and is currently on heavy rotation on BEN TV (Sky 184). JJC & 419 Squad are currently involved in a TV drama production for Channel 4 (working title “Who Are You”) which will be broadcast at a primetime slot in June or July. The group have got cameo appearances and their music will be used throughout the drama which is about the true story of London-based Nigerians being involved in identity fraud.In 2003, JJC was the host of the African Vibes radio on BBC 1Xtra where he showcasesd African hip-hop, Afrobeat, Raï, hip-life, kwaito, Juju and lots more, bringing modern African music to a wider (and young, urban) audience. This year, in his quest to become an ambassador for young African music in the UK, JJC is one of the on-line hosts of Africa On Your Street (www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/africaonyourstreet/jjc.shtml), a new BBC Radio 3 website celebrating the African music scene across the UK and beyond. JJC is mainly concentrating on the African hip-hop and R’n’B scene. He states: "As a host, I'm specifically hoping to reach younger people who may think that hip-hop needs to be American to sound heavy ... there's a lot of African hip-hop that's just as good - or even better! Many people will be surprised to hear some of the unique styles coming straight from the streets of Africa. Young Africans in the Diaspora will hopefully find things on the site that make them proud and teach them.” JJC is also the presenter of the fifth edition of Radio 3’s World On Your Street web radio show (www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/onyourstreet/woysradio.shtml) where he focuses on UK-based African acts (previous presenters of this show include Gilles Peterson and Charlie Gillett). On a recent trip to France, JJC hosted a one-off African hip-hop show on Radio Nova, Paris’ trend-setting radio station. JJC still works as a club DJ, using the name DJ Skillz for mainstream R’n’B/ hip-hop gigs (looked after by Xtreme Talent) or DJ JJC (managed by Backbone) for the African Vibes type gigs. Unsurprisingly, with all these different projects, JJC was asked to present the award in the Africa category to Daara J at the recent BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music event in Edinburgh.Towards the end of 2003 JJC set up his own production company, Backbone Music, and is currently developing a number of new artists. The current artist roster includes JJC/ Skillz and 419 Squad, as well as Tru Flex (Ragga duo), Danielle (R’n’B singer), Nova (rapper), J.U. (rapper), Blemish (rapper), Law (R’n’B singer/ producer), Loick (14 year old R’n’B/pop singer) and Don Jazzy (producer/ singer/ musician). The company recently released a promotional mix CD called Have You Got Skills? Vol. 1 which showcases work produced/ remixed/ written/ performed by the Backbone stable, as well as a selection of other hot tracks off the street, such as exclusives Big Brovaz, Jamelia, and many more. Have You Got Skills? is also title of a regular Backbone Music club night (every Wednesday @ The V.I.P. Lounge/ Meantime Club in Greenwich, South London) – a blend of live performances, DJing, MCing and open mic talent show.JJC & 419 Squad have performed at numerous events, including the main stage at the RESPECT festival at the Dome, Charlie Gillett’s stage at the WOMAD 2003 festival (broadcast on Sky’s AC-TV and live on BBC London, a) and The Shrine at Cargo. Alongside a number of other artists from the Backbone Music stable, they supported Joe Budden last December at the Manchester Academy. Whether he is playing to World Music fans, a Nigerian audience or at hip-hop shows with his other Backbone artists, JJC is equally at home. JJC & 419 Squad have just been confirmed for their second WOMAD appearance in a row (Rivermead Centre, 23 July 2004, 29 – 11pm). This time it will also include DJ slot by JJC spinning African Vibes, hip-hop and more. On 20 April 2004 JJC & 419 Squad will be performing at Africa On Your Street’s exclusive party in London’s West End (guest list requests welcome).Backbone Music are currently working on two projects: a Backbone Music compilation album featuring all their artists, plus a new version of the JJC & 419 Squad album “Atide” – both to be released this summer.