Don Jazzy

Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records.[1] Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'banj.[2]

Don Jazzy
Background information
Birth nameMichael Collins Ajereh
Born (1982-11-26) 26 November 1982
Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • record executive
Years active2002–present
Labels
Spouse(s)
Michelle Jackson
​
​
(m. 2003; div. 2005)​
Websitemavinrecords.com

Early life and education

Don Jazzy was born Micheal Collins Ajereh in Umuahia, Abia State, on 26 November 1982, the son of Collins Enebeli Ajereh and Mrs Ajereh. His father is from Isoko in Delta State. His mother is an Igbo princess from Abia state and his father is a member of the Isoko people.[3]

Ajereh's family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos, where Don Jazzy was raised.[4] He was educated at the co-educational high school, Federal Government College Lagos. Don Jazzy found an interest in music early in life and at age 12, began to play the bass guitar and piano.[5] He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments. Don Jazzy enrolled in business management and studied at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state.[6]

In 2000, Jazzy's uncle invited him to play the drums for a local church in London and that was his first visit to London.[7] Don Jazzy gained employment at McDonald's as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek, JJC Skillz, Kas, Jesse Jagz, The 419 Squad and D'Banj.

Career
Don Jazzy performing in 2014

Mo' Hits records and GOOD music

In 2004, Don Jazzy collaborated with D'Banj to form Mo' Hits Records. In the next two years, Don Jazzy produced the albums No Long Thing and Rundown/Funk You Up. Around this time, Don Jazzy developed a recognisable introduction, "It's Don Jazzy Again!".[8]

In 2008, Don Jazzy was credited in the production of The Entertainer by D'Banj. He also contributed to the production of Wande Coal's Mushin 2 MoHits, an album that was described as one of the best albums to ever come out of Nigeria.[9]

In 2011, Don Jazzy was employed by Kanye West as a producer at Very Good Beatz. Don Jazzy worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West on the production of Lift Off, featuring Beyoncé on the album Watch The Throne which was released on 8 August 2011.[10] In March 2012, Don Jazzy and D'Banj confirmed their breakup citing artistic differences.[11]

Mavin Records

On 7 May 2012, Don Jazzy announced a new record label, Mavin Records. He said, "I see Mavin Records being the power house of music in Africa in the shortest possible time."[12] On 8 May 2012, he released an album featuring the artists signed to his label. The songs on the album included: "Amarachi", "Forever", "Oma Ga", "Take Banana and Chocolate", "YOLO" and the anthem "I'm a MAVIN". Mavin records signed the vocalist, Tiwa Savage. Don Jazzy built a social network platform called "Marvin League" to complement and market his label.[13]

On 5 November 2013, Ajereh had conflict with an artist, Wande Coal who left the label two days later.[14]

In September 2014, Ajereh produced a Nigerian social activist song with Reekado Banks and Di'Ja called "Arise".[15]

At the Headies Awards 2015, Ajereh argued with Olamide. The two disagreed about who should have won the "Next Rated" award. Lil Kesh of YBNL records lost to Reekado Banks, Ajereh's artist. The winner of the award received a car. Apologies on both sides were posted afterwards.[16][17]

After Reekado Banks departure from the Mavin Records label, Don Jazzy said he is still part of the family and wished him nothing but success in his career as he thanked him for the time spent with Mavin Records.[18]

In 2019, he signed Rema and later went on in 2020 to sign Ayra Starr into Mavins Record Label. In 2021, he announced a new artist, Magixx.[19]

On 7 April 2021, he revealed why he never signed Davido.[20]

Film appearance

In 2012, Don Jazzy appeared in Moses Inwang's movie The Last 3 Digits in Nollywood. Inwang also cast Ali Baba, A.Y., Nonso Diobi and Dr SID. in April 2023, Don Jazzy joined the cast of 'Introducing The Kujus' for its sequel.[21][22][23][24]

Wande Coal and Don Jazzy: Pioneers of the Nigerian Music Syllabus

Wande Coal a prominent Nigerian singer and songwriter known for his unique musical style. In a recent interview with Cool FM Lagos,[25][26] Wande Coal claimed that he and his former producer and record label boss, Don Jazzy, played a significant role in shaping the music industry by creating "the syllabus of music." He stated that many artistes have drawn inspiration from their work and built upon it to create their own sounds.

During his collaboration with Don Jazzy at the defunct Mo'hits Record and Mavin, Wande Coal brought his vibrant energy to the studio and together they produced exceptional music. According to Wande Coal, their synergy was undeniable, and they crafted a musical syllabus that served as a foundation for aspiring artists to explore and develop their own styles. He expressed appreciation for the younger generation's ability to incorporate their teachings into their music, stating that there is no issue as long as they continue to create remarkable sounds.

The influence of Wande Coal and Don Jazzy's partnership can be observed in the music landscape, as many artistes have taken cues from their innovative approach and incorporated it into their own creations. Their collaboration has left an indelible mark on the Nigerian music industry, inspiring new generations of artists to push boundaries and explore new horizons.

Awards

Production discography

Albums
  1. Anaconda 3:34
  2. Booty Call 5:13
  3. Close To You 3:43
  4. Hey Girl 5:08
  5. Igbe Mi 5:40
  6. Masquerade 4:02
  7. No Long Thing 3:15
  8. Ololufe (Club Mix) 4:21
  9. Stop The Violence 6:37
  10. Why Me (Remix) 5:16
  11. Jasi 2:50
  • Wande Coal – Mushin2Mohits (2008)
  1. I Know U Like It 3:10
  2. You Bad 4:05
  3. Se Na Like This 4:12
  4. Kiss Ur Hands 3:54
  5. Confused 4:20
  6. Se Ope 3:22
  7. Now It's All Gone 4:24
  8. Bumper 2 Bumper 3:51
  9. Who Born The Maga (featuring Kay Switch) 4:37
  10. That's Wots Up 4:42
  11. Bananas 3:59
  12. Taboo 4:24
  13. Jehovah 4:02
  14. Ololufe 4:56
  15. Ten Ten 3:50
  16. My Grind 4:48
  17. Been long you saw me
  18. Private trips
  19. Go low 3:50
  20. The kick 4:12
  21. Rotate 3:51
  1. When This Song Comes On
  2. Over the Moon (feat. K-Switch)
  3. Something About You
  4. Winchi Winchi (feat. Wande Coal)
  5. Pop something (feat. D'Banj)
  6. a Mi Jo (feat. Ikechukwu, M.I & eLDee)
  7. Baby
  8. E Je Ka Jo (feat. D'Banj)
  9. Pillow
  10. Something About You (Silva Stone Remix)
  11. Winchi Winchi (feat. Wande Coal, Sway DaSafo & Dotstar)
  1. Intro by MAVINS (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri)
  2. I'm A MAVIN by MAVINS (Michael Ajereh, Tiwatope Savage, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojosipe, Charles Enebeli)
  3. Oma Ga by Tiwa Savage (Michael Ajereh, Tiwatope Savage, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojosipe)
  4. YOLO by Dr SID (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri)
  5. See Me Ri by Wande Coal (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojisipe, Towa Ojosipe)
  6. Take Banana by D'PRINCE (Michael Ajereh, Charles Enebeli)
  7. CPR by Dr SID (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri)
  8. Forever by Wande Coal (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojosipe, Towa Ojosipe)
  9. Why You Over There by D'PRINCE (Michael Ajereh, Charles Enebeli)
  10. Chocolate by Dr SID (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri, Charles Enebeli)
  11. Pretty Girls by Wande Coal (Michael Ajereh, Wande Ojosipe)
  12. Amarachi by D'PRINCE (Michael Ajereh, Charles Enebeli)
  13. Outro by MAVINS (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri)

Singles with Mo' Hits artists
  • D'Prince
  1. Omoba
  2. I like What I See (feat. Wande Coal)
  3. Ooze (feat. D'Banj)
  4. Give It To me (feat. D'Banj)
  • D'banj
  1. Tongolo (2005)
  2. Soko (2005)
  3. Mobolowowon (2005)
  4. Why Me (2006)
  5. Run Down (2006)
  6. Kimon (2008)
  7. Olorun Maje (2008)
  8. Gbono Feli (2008)
  9. Entertainer (2008)
  10. Suddenly (2008)
  11. Fall in Love (2008)
  12. Igwe (2008)
  13. Mr Endowed (2010)
  14. I do This
  15. Scape Goat (2010)
  16. ashanti (2010)
  17. Mr Endowed (Remix) (feat. Snoop Dogg) (2010)
  18. Oliver Twist (2011)
  • Wande Coal
  1. Bumper 2 Bumper
  2. You Bad
  3. Kiss Your Hand
  4. Who Born the Maga
  5. Been Long You Saw Me (feat. Don Jazzy) (2011)
  6. Go Low (2011)
  • Dr SID
  1. Something About You (2009)
  2. Winchi winchi (2009)
  3. Pop Something(feat. D'Banj)
  4. Over The Moon (2010)
  5. Chocolate
  6. Y.O.L.O
  7. C.P.R
  8. Afefe
  9. Chocolate West African Remix (feat. Ice Prince Sarkodie Elom Adablah Lynxxx)
  10. Chocolate East African Remix (feat. Musik Maestro)
  11. Lady Don Dada
  12. Love Mine
  13. Talented
  14. Baby Tornado
  15. Baby Tornado Remix (feat. Alexandra burke)
  16. Surulere (feat. Don Jazzy)
  • Mo'Hits Allstars
  1. Ten Ten

Singles with other artists

Personal life

Don Jazzy married Michelle Jackson in 2003. He claims they both had issues as a result of his ambitious nature and subsequently divorced about two years after they wed. However, he doesn't plan to marry again soon because he fears his love and dedication to music will hurt someone's feelings again.[37][38]

Ajereh has a younger brother, D'Prince.

In July 2022, he announced the death of his mother via his Instagram page.[39]

In what will come across as a really heart-breaking development, the legendary Nigerian beatmaker, Don Jazzy and his brother, D’Prince, a popular Nigerian singer have lost their mother to cancer.

Membership of Cherubim and Seraphim Church

Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy has confirmed he is still a committed member of the white garment church called ‘Cherubim and Seraphim’. Over the weekend, the respected music producer was honoured by the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim & Seraphim church worldwide and later, pictures of his childhood cladded in the church’s garment hit the internet. Before now, not many knew the multiple award-winning beat maker was a member of the church and this was why many were surprised. A surprised fan of Don Jazzy asked him, ‘So you have been attending Cele (a name commonly used for white garment churches in Nigeria)? and the Mavin boss responded, ‘and then? I still attend the church till now. But get it right, it’s Cherubim & Seraphim [not Cele].’

References

Why I did not sign Davido – Don Jazzy finally reveals. Matter Arising Retrieved 25 January 2023

  1. "The Don Jazzy Story". Vanguard. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
    - "Don Jazzy blasts Ladies who mocked Banky W's car". Information Nigeria. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  2. "D'Banj And Don Jazzy Who Is Richer/Older?". constative.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  3. Amaechi, Stella (30 November 2020). "Don Jazzy's biography: How did he become famous?". Legit.ng – Nigeria news.
  4. "Don Jazzy Biography". nigerianfinder.com. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  5. "Don Jazzy: Nigeria's Finest Music Producer". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  6. "Don Jazzy, father share birth date as music producer clocks 39". Punch Newspapers. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  7. Amoo T. Point Blank Don Jazzy Archived 31 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hip Hop World Magazine 1 February 2010.
  8. D'Banj - No Long Thing Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 25 July 2022
  9. Abraham, Anthony Ada (10 June 2012). "Church! How music started for Psquare, Wande Coal, Wizkid & others". YNaija.
  10. "Jay Z Reveals He Co-produced Kanye West's Track "Lift Up"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  11. Breaking news, it's over, Don Jazzy confirms Mohits Break Up TheNETng 7 November 2013. Accessed 22 April 2015
  12. Naija B.From Mo'Hits to Mavin Records! The New Music PowerHouse Label Bellanaija company 7 June 2012. Accessed 22 April 2015.
  13. don Jazzy changes random boys life Archived 22 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine View Nigeria newspaper.27 March 2015. Accessed 22 April 2015.
  14. Marvin Records released official statement over Wandel Coal Gist Yinka 7 November 2013. Accessed 22 April 2015.
  15. The Mavins – Arise Archived 26 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine View Nigeria newspaper. 21 September 2014 Accessed 21 September 2014.
  16. Olamide apologises over fight with Don Jazzy, swearing on live TV DailyPost Nigeria 2 January 2016. Accessed 25 January 2016.
  17. Don Jazzy, Olamide settle rift, apologise over Headies 'wahala' Vanguard News January 2016. Accessed 25 January 2016.
  18. "Reekado Banks still part of Mavin Records – Don Jazzy". Vanguard News. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  19. "Mavin Records announces new artiste Magixx - P.M. News". Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  20. "'Why I Did Not Sign Davido'- Don Jazzy Finally Reveals". Matterarising.com. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  21. The Last 3 Digits YouTube promotion. Accessed 27 October 2014
  22. The last 3 digits 9 Aija books and movies blog. 12 November 2012. Accessed 12 November 2012
  23. Audu J. New trailer alert: Moses Inwang's The last 3 Digits Judith Audu Blog 2014. Accessed 29 October 2014.
  24. Izuzu C. The Last 3 Digits Moses Inwang's movie wins Best International film award Pulse Nigeria Accessed 4 June 2015.
  25. "I and Don Jazzy created the syllabus of music - Wande Coal". Daily Post. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  26. "It took me six months to record my verse on 'Kpe Paso' - Wande Coal". Cool FM. Retrieved [8 June 2023].
  27. Headies prize giving event Archived 14 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hip Hop World magazine 11 June 2012.
  28. Headies 2014 winners Archived 15 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Hip Hop World magazine 2014.
  29. Adunni A. List of Winners Naij.com 14 September 2015. Accessed 14 September 2015
  30. "Don Jazzy honoured with award". Sunnewsonline.com. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  31. D'Banj - No Long Thing Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 25 July 2022
  32. Cylist. "D'Banj: Run Down (Funk You Up) CD Track Listing at cyList". www.cylist.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  33. "D'banj - The Entertainer Album (Mp3 Download) –042jam". 042jam.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  34. Ohunyon, Ehis (7 August 2018). "How Mavin Records is finding it hard to live outside the shadows of Mo Hits". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  35. "Burna Boy, Don Jazzy in new single 'Question'". 24 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  36. Ugwu, Onyinye (6 February 2019). "Video: KAHA Enlists Eldee, General Pype, Jahborne & SeanTero In Reflective Socio-Conscious Record 'Wayo'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  37. "Don Jazzy Reveals Why he isn't Married". GYOnlineNG | All-Round News. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  38. "Fans of Don Jazzy thinks D'Banj and Wande Coal Deserves Respect for Keeping His Troubled Marriage Away from Public for 18 Years". Naijabeat. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  39. "'I Am Beyond Devastated': Don Jazzy Loses Mother To Cancer". Channels Television. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
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