Don Jazzy is a Nigerian musician, entrepreneur, influencer, and comedian. He is also a record producer, brand ambassador, audio engineer, and record executive. Don Jazzy and D’banj were co-owners of defunct Mo’ Hits Records.
He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Mavin Records, one of Nigeria’s most popular and powerful record labels, and is also one of the country’s richest musicians.
Biography
Michael Collins Ajere, popularly known as Don Jazzy, was born on November 26 1982, in Umuahia, Abia State. His father is from Isoko in Delta State, while his mother is a princess from Abia State. His family moved from Abia to Ajegunle, Lagos.
Don Jazzy is the first child of four children. He had his secondary education at the Federal Government College, Lagos. He has a business management degree from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
Don Jazzy developed an early interest in music and began playing the bass guitar and piano at 12. In addition, he learned traditional and percussion instruments.
In 2000, Don Jazzy’s uncle encouraged him to play the drums for a local church in London, United Kingdom. It was his first trip to the city. Don Jazzy got a job as a security guard at McDonald’s. He still kept his passion for music alive by hanging out with Solek, JJC Skillz, Kas, Jesse Jagz, The 419 Squad, and D’Banj.
Career
When Don Jazzy returned to Nigeria with D’banj, his desire to advance in the music industry was satisfied. They teamed up in 2004 to form Mo’ Hits Records, which proved so successful that he had completed two albums in two years and was working on the third.
Don Jazzy was credited with the production of D’Banj’s album titled The Entertainer in 2008. He also helped produce Wande Coal’s Mushin 2 MoHits, dubbed “one of the best albums to ever come out of Nigeria.”
Don Jazzy did not claim to be a vocalist, but he would provide backing vocals for musicians he produced. D’Banj, Sauce Kid, Dr SID, Ikechukwu, Kween, D’Prince, and Jay-Z all have vocals in these performances. On Kanye West’s Watch The Throne album, Don Jazzy provided vocals for the song Lift Off with Beyoncé.
As the record label evolved, he added more artists – D’Prince, Wande Coal, Dr SID, and Kay Switch.
Kanye West hired Don Jazzy as a producer at Very Good Beatz in 2011. Lift Off, starring Beyoncé, was produced by Don Jazzy in collaboration with Jay-Z and Kanye West for the album Watch The Throne, which was released on August 8, 2011.
Don Jazzy and D’Banj announced their breakup in March 2012, claiming artistic disagreements as the reason.
He announced the launch of Mavin Records on May 7, 2012.
“I envisage Mavin Records being the powerhouse of African music in the shortest possible time,” he stated.
He released an album including musicians signed to his label on May 8, 2012. Amarachi, Forever, Oma Ga, Take Banana and Chocolate, YOLO, and the anthem I’m a MAVIN were among the album’s songs. Tiwa Savage was also signed to Mavin Records. Don Jazzy created the “Mavin League” social networking platform to support and sell his label.
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Mavin Records is arguably one of the best record companies in the country. It has a global following and is home to some of Africa’s most gifted performers. The artists have received several awards, hit singles, brand endorsements, and other honours. Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, D’Prince, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Di’ja, Poe, Jonny Drille, and the DNA twins are among the talented artists that this record boosts.
In 2019, he signed fast-rising musician Rema to the label. He later went on to sign Ayra Starr in 2020.
Don Jazzy is already a success and a force in the music industry, and he has expanded his business portfolio as a smart businessperson. In 2013, he founded Mavin Energy Limited with his younger brother to venture into the oil business. The company specializes in delivering petroleum goods to homes and businesses, including diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and cooking gas.
Everything we do is influenced by technology. As a brilliant individual, he joined Dele Odufuye, a Nigerian technological expert, to establish Flobyt Wifi in 2017. Flobyt Wifi is a free wifi service that would allow Mavin music fans to stream their favourite songs at partnering venues around Lagos State.
Music
Don Jazzy has recorded many smash hits. He is one of the best producers in the country at the moment. Some of the music he has produced are:
- D’banj- No Long Thing.
- D’banj- Rundown Funk U Up.
- Mo’Hits All Stars Curriculum Vitae.
- Yo Bad ft Wande Coal.
- Eminado ft Tiwa Savage.
- Dorobucci ft Marvin’s record.
- Omooba ft D’prince.
- Bumper to Bumper by Wande Coal and Don Jazzy.
- Mr Endowed by D’banj and Don Jazzy.
- Question by Burna Boy and Don Jazzy.
Net worth
His net worth is currently predicted to be N8.3 billion ($20m) for 2022. He is one of the wealthiest and most influential musicians in Nigeria.
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Family
Don Jazzy is the first child of four children. He is not the only one of his siblings who is a musician; his brother Charles Enebeli popularly known as D’Prince, is also a musician who is signed under his record label.
In 2003, he married Michelle Jackson when he was 20 years old. He claims they had problems because of his ambitious nature, and they divorced two years after they married. However, according to him, he has no plans to marry again anytime soon since he is afraid that his passion for music would once again harm someone’s feelings.
Don Jazzy and Rihanna
Don Jazzy and Rihanna are not in a relationship. However, the singer had quite a massive crush on Rihanna, and he vowed on social media that he was going to marry her someday.
He was very heartbroken at the news of her pregnancy.
Philanthropy
Don Jazzy is one of the celebrities who help people financially through various social media platforms.
He is possibly the only star who does regular giveaways on social media. He has taken it a step further by collaborating with a friend to develop a social enterprise project platform that allows people to receive funding from others.
Conclusion
Don Jazzy is considered a music industry legend for his significant contributions to the industry’s growth and the lives of Nigeria’s rising stars.
