Rapper Abdulrasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skillz, has reacted to critics who claimed his estranged wife Funke Akindele made him popular.
The speculations started spreading after JJC Skillz left a shocking message for his Instagram followers on the platform on Thursday, June 30 where he announced his separation from the actress.
According to the rapper, the last two years have been difficult for them and he tried his best to make things work. He added that Funke asked him to leave the house three months ago.
Speaking further, the father of twins stated that he tried his best to fix things but he believes it is beyond repair.
As the news circulated on the internet, some social media users took to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, claiming that JJC became popular after his marriage to Funke.
Reacting to the widely spread speculations in an Instagram story on Monday, the rapper-turned filmmaker reposted a video clip from the Afrobeats: The Backstory documentary with filmmaker Ayo Shonaiya describing him as the ‘Afrobeat pioneer’.
“JJC was the first Nigerian that I ever saw that was doing big things in England as far back as 2000, early 2000 like 2003, 2004, like JJC had a song on the UK charts. He was the first millionaire UK person,” Ayo said in the video.
An Instagram user identified as Funmi Obadeyi, who also posted the video, could be heard saying, “This is a legend. He made an impact on himself and a lot of people don’t know him.”
JJC Skillz earned recognition in Nigeria after the release of his single ‘We Are Africans’, an afrobeat anthem. Prior to the success of the single, Skillz was a producer for the British hip-hop record company and musical group Big Brovaz.
In December 2002, he released his debut album, Aside, an experimental album with lyrics in English and Nigerian languages and influenced by hip hop, African and salsa musical styles.
During an interview with Nigezie in April 2012, Bello said he was the brain behind pop star D’banj and music manager Don Jazzy’s career.
JJC and Funke got married in a private ceremony in London on August 23, 2016, the eve of her 39th birthday.
The couple welcomed their twins in 2018.
