Abdul Rasheed Bello, otherwise known as JJC’s marriage to Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, is almost a year old. In this chat with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, the Nigerian musician and video director, speaks on how it has been working with his wife, Funke’s rumoured pregnancy, their new TV series and plans for the future.
How has it been working with your wife on that project?
She is a wonderful producer and scriptwriter. So, it has been an amazing experience.
For most people, working with your spouse could be difficult and there are always conflicting interests. Don’t you experience issues working together?
I would say we disagree to agree. She has years of experience, so I draw from that. If she decides to do something and I decide to do something, we come to a middle ground and agree. Since both of us are passionate about the project, it is easier for us to compromise. Though, we do not agree at all times, we’ve always found a common ground.
Who came up with the idea of ‘Industreet’?
It was an idea I came up with about 9 years ago. After working on Jenifa’s Dairy for a long time, we decided that we needed to do something that is different. So, I showed her the pilot for the television show, she fell in love with the idea and we started working on it. She loved it immediately she saw it and she said we should do it.
Some of the artistes from the ‘Industreet’ television show are now signed to our record label, SOP Records. We have songs coming out. Right now, we are busy pushing our music and video contents. So, expect lots more. We have many ideas that we are yet to tap into; the best is yet to come. Personally for me, I am writing some other TV shows and movies.
Did you discover signed musicians through the television show or you’ve known them before?
We got to know them when we started doing auditions for the television show. But I have known Mo Easy since my days in London.
Is seems ‘Industreet’ is your first major movie project?
I’ve been directing Jenifa’s Dairy for a long time and I have also been a music video director for long.
Don’t you think delving into movie production has affected your music career?
It comes to a certain stage in your life when you have to pass the baton to somebody else. I’ve always created artistes, though. When I am inspired and more importantly when I have time to go on the road and start promoting music, I will probably do music again. I’ve always done an album every four years. So, you could call it the Michael Jackson factor.
It is almost three years since I dropped my last album. However, to be honest, I am yet to get enough time to record. The new movie project is exciting and I really want to follow it through. Right now, the Season 1 is on television and we want to start writing and producing Season 2. Maybe after Season 2, I might consider recording an album.
So, you’ve not left music completely?
Music is a passion I have and I cannot say I am trying to do music to be a star. It is just on hold because I have not got the time for it right now.
Was there a time you got tired while producing ‘Industreet’?
I have a fantastic team I am working with. It is not my wife or me alone writing the script. We have a team of about four people; we sit together to come up with all the twists and turns. Majority of the characters are people I have had experience with through my career in the music and entertainment industry. I just tell them certain things that I remember and we turn them into story. I have 18 cumulative years of ideas.
Does that mean the series is all about your experience in the industry?
I will not say it is my experience alone. But I have experienced things that have been in the news and on blogs. These are things we generally know about our entertainment industry. With this, we can tell a certain factual story.
What other things do you run together with your wife?
We have a website, an app, SceneoneTV and it is also available on mobile devices. Through that, you get to watch ‘Industreet’ and ‘Jenifa’s Dairy.’ But you will have to subscribe.
We disagree to agree. She has years of experience, so I draw from that. If she decides to do something and I decide to do something, we come to a common ground and agree s ince both of us are passionate about the project
Do you both run a joint account too?
We have a business account that we run together, then we have separate accounts obviously.
Is your wife pregnant? There’ve been speculations.
It is the prophesy of Olowogbogboro’s convener (Nathaniel Bassey). To God be the glory, it will come to pass. He came on line and was saying it. If you saw my tweet, you would see what I wrote. I received the good news and I pray it comes
to pass.
Do you wish to have twins?
I am a lover of children.
Do you have the culture of twins in your family?
I have elder sisters who are twins. So, we have twins in the family.
Has any of your four children demonstrated signs of following your path?
My children are studying; one is already a director of music videos. My eldest sister is passionate about content creation. So, I came from a family of entertainment.
