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 Mavin Records (also known as the Supreme Mavin Dynasty) is a Nigerian Music industry, music corporation record label founded by record producer and recording artist Don Jazzy on 8 May 2012. The label's inception came to fruition following the clo ...

. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct

Mo' Hits Records Mo'Hits Records (popularly called Mo'Hits) was a Nigeria-based music record label owned by D'banj and Don Jazzy. According to Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mo'Hits Records Limited was founded in 2006, signing D'banj as its first ...

record label with

D'banj Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian singer and rapper and the founder of Mo' Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has won several music awards, including the awards for ''Best Af ...

Early life and education

Don Jazzy was born Micheal Collins Ajereh in

Umuahia Umuahia () is the capital city of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the rail road that lies between Port Harcourt to its south,and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia has a population of 359,230 according to the 2006 Nig ...

Abia State Abia State ( ig, Ȯha Abia) is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, it is bordered to the north and northeast by the states of Enugu, and Ebonyi, Imo State to the west, Cross River State to the east, Akwa Ibom State to the ...

, 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 Igbo may refer to: * Igbo people, an ethnic group of Nigeria * Igbo language, their language * anything related to Igboland, a cultural region in Nigeria See also * Ibo (disambiguation) * Igbo mythology * Igbo music * Igbo art * * Igbo-Ukwu, a ...

princess from Abia state and his father is a member of the

Isoko people Isoko people are an ethnolinguistic group who inhabit the Isoko region of Delta State and Bayelsa State, Nigeria. They are people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger delta. Delta State and Bayelsa State are part of the 36 state ...

. Ajereh's family moved to

Ajegunle Ajegunle, popularly known as "AJ City" or simply "AJ", is a neighbourhood located in the heart of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government area of Lagos. Ajegunle in the Yoruba language means "A plac ...

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

, where Don Jazzy was raised. He was educated at the

co-educational Mixed-sex education, also known as mixed-gender education, co-education, or coeducation (abbreviated to co-ed or coed), is a system of education where males and females are educated together. Whereas single-sex education was more common up to t ...

high school,

Federal Government College Lagos The Federal Government College, Ijanikin is a co-educational secondary school in Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republ ...

. Don Jazzy found an interest in music early in life and at age 12, began to play the bass guitar and piano. He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments. Don Jazzy enrolled in business management and studied at the

Ambrose Alli University Ambrose Alli University (AAU) is a state-owned university in Edo State, Nigeria. It was established in 1981 by the governor of Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States), Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. Initially known as Bendel State University, sub ...

Ekpoma Ekpoma is a town in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the administrative headquarters of the Esan West Local Government Area. Ekpoma lies on the geographical coordinate of latitude . The town has an official Post Office, and it is home to the Ambrose A ...

Edo state Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controversy ...

. 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. Don Jazzy gained employment at

McDonald's McDonald's Corporation is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain, founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, United States. They rechri ...

as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek, JJC Skillz, Kas,

Jesse Jagz Jesse Garba Abaga (born 10 August 1984), known professionally as Jesse Jagz, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Chocolate City in 2010 and released his debut studio album ''Jag of All Tradez'' that ...

, The 419 Squad and

D'Banj Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian singer and rapper and the founder of Mo' Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has won several music awards, including the awards for ''Best Af ...

Career

Don Jazzy at MTV Africa Music Awards 2014-Durban-20140607

Mo' Hits records and GOOD music

In 2004, Don Jazzy collaborated with

to form

. In the next two years, Don Jazzy produced the albums ''

No Long Thing ''No Long Thing'' is the debut album by Nigerian recording artist D'banj Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian singer and rapper and the founder of Mo' Hits Records with producer Don ...

'' and ''Rundown/Funk You Up''. Around this time, Don Jazzy developed a recognisable introduction, "It's Don Jazzy Again!". In 2008, Don Jazzy was credited in the production of ''The Entertainer'' by D'Banj. He also contributed to the production of

Wande Coal Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe (born 18 October 1985), popularly known as Wande Coal, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Early life Wande Coal was born on 18 October 1985 in Lagos Island, Lagos state, Nigeria, to Chief Ibukun Olufunto and Omolara ...

's ''Mushin 2 MoHits'', an album that was described as one of the best albums to ever come out of Nigeria. In 2011, Don Jazzy was employed by

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...

as a producer at Very Good Beatz. Don Jazzy worked with

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...

and

on the production of '' Lift Off'', featuring

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...

on the album ''

Watch The Throne ''Watch the Throne'' is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, collectively known as The Throne. It was released on August 8, 2011, through Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation, and Def Jam Recordings. Prior to the re ...

'' which was released on 8 August 2011. In March 2012, Don Jazzy and D'Banj confirmed their breakup citing artistic differences.

Mavin Records

On 7 May 2012, Don Jazzy announced a new record label,

. He said, "I see Mavin Records being the power house of music in Africa in the shortest possible time." 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 Tiwa Savage (born 5 February 1980) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performing artist. Born in Isale Eko, she relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. Five years later, she began her music career doing backup voc ...

. Don Jazzy built a social network platform called "Marvin League" to complement and market his label. On 5 November 2013, Ajereh had conflict with an artist, Wande Coal who left the label two days later. In September 2014, Ajereh produced a Nigerian social activist song with

Reekado Banks Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon (born 6 December 1993), better known by his stage name Reekado Banks, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He signed with Mavin Records in 2014 and left the label in 2018. He went by the stage name Spicy before his recor ...

and

Di'Ja Hadiza Blell, now Hadiza Blell-Olo, better known by her stage name Di'Ja, is a Nigerian singer. She is currently signed to Mavin Records. In 2009, she released her first single "Rock Steady", which was nominated for Best Urban/R&B Single at th ...

called "Arise". At the Headies Awards 2015, Ajereh argued with

Olamide Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. Widely regarded as one of the biggest and most influential artists in Africa, he has been instrumental to the launching of the careers ...

. 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. After

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. In 2019, he signed

Rema Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest contine ...

and later went on in 2020 to sign

Ayra Starr Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe (born 14 June 2002), known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer. She was born in Cotonou, Benin. Ayra Starr began a fashion career at the age of 16 with Quove Model Management before deciding to pursue ...

into Mavins Record Label. In 2021, he announced a new artist, Magixx. On 7 April 2021, he revealed why he never signed

Davido David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), popularly known by his stage name Davido, is an American-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. His music blends traditional African elements with global mainstream pop. Davido is widel ...

Film appearance

In 2012, Don Jazzy appeared in Moses Inwang's movie ''The Last 3 Digits'' in

Nollywood Nollywood is a sobriquet that originally referred to the Nigerian film industry. The origin of the term dates back to the early 2000s, traced to an article in ''The New York Times''. Due to the history of evolving meanings and contexts, there ...

. Inwang also cast Ali Baba, A.Y.,

Nonso Diobi Nonso Diobi (born July 17, 1976) is a multiple award winning Nigerian actor and film director. While studying Theatre Art at the University of Nigeria, He made his debut on-screen appearance in a 2001 film titled ''Border Line'' followed by an ...

and

Dr SID Sidney Onoriode Esiri (born 1 May 1980), commonly known as Dr SID, is a Nigerian singer. Early life Dr SID is from Delta State, he was born and raised in Lagos. His mother is a fashion designer and his father, Justus Esiri, is an actor.

Awards

* Nigerian Music Awards (2006) – Producer of the Year. * Nigerian Entertainment Awards (2007) – Music Producer of the Year. *

The Headies 2011 The Headies 2011 was the 6th edition of the Hip Hop World Awards. The award's name was officially changed to "The Headies". The ceremony was hosted by Rita Dominic and eLDee. It was held on October 22, 2011, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victo ...

– Producer of the Year for ''Over The Moon'', ''

Mr Endowed "Mr Endowed" is a song by Nigerian singer D'banj, released on May 23, 2010. Produced by Don Jazzy, it was included in the track listing for ''Mr. Endowed'', an album that was never released due to D'banj's exit from Mo' Hits Records. The song w ...

'' and ''Pop Something'' *

The Headies 2014 The Headies 2014 was the ninth edition of The Headies. It took place on 14 December 2014, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. Themed "Feel the Passion", the show was hosted by Toke Makinwa and Basketmouth. It was initially sch ...

– Producer of the Year for ''

Dorobucci "Dorobucci" is a song by Mavin Records, The Mavins, a collective composed of Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di'Ja and D'Prince. Released on May 1, 2014, it received generally positive reviews from music critics. Posi ...

'' * City People Entertainment Award (2015) – special recognition award. * The Beatz Award TM (2019) – New Discovery Producer.

Production discography

Albums

* D'banj – ''

'' (2005) * D'banj – '' RunDown Funk U Up'' (2006) * D'banj – ''

The Entertainer An entertainer is a person who entertains (singer, actor, comedian, etc.) The Entertainer may refer to: Music Songs * "The Entertainer" (rag), a 1902 classic piano rag written by Scott Joplin *"The Entertainer", rearrangement of the Joplin rag by ...

'' (2008) * Mo' Hits All Stars – ''

Curriculum Vitae In English, a curriculum vitae (,

'' (2007) # Anaconda 3:34 # Booty Call 5:13 # Close To You 3:43 # Hey Girl 5:08 # Igbe Mi 5:40 # Masquerade 4:02 # No Long Thing 3:15 # Ololufe (Club Mix) 4:21 # Stop The Violence 6:37 # Why Me (Remix) 5:16 # Jasi 2:50 * Wande Coal – ''Mushin2Mohits'' (2008) # I Know U Like It 3:10 # You Bad 4:05 # Se Na Like This 4:12 # Kiss Ur Hands 3:54 # Confused 4:20 # Se Ope 3:22 # Now It's All Gone 4:24 # Bumper 2 Bumper 3:44 # Who Born The Maga 3:04 # That's Wots Up 4:42 # Bananas 3:59 # Taboo 4:24 # Jehovah 4:02 # Ololufe 4:56 # Ten Ten 3:47 # My Grind 4:48 # Been long you saw me # Private trips # Go low 3:50 # The kick 3:10 # Rotate 3:20 * Dr SID

Turning Point A turning point, or climax, is the point of highest tension in a narrative work. Turning Point or Turning Points may refer to: Film * ''The Turning Point'', a 1914 silent film starring Caroline Cooke * ''The Turning Point'' (1920 film), an Ame ...

(2010) # When This Song Comes On # Over the Moon (feat. K-Switch) # Something About You # Winchi Winchi (feat.

) # Pop something (feat.

) # a Mi Jo (feat. Ikechukwu, M.I & eLDee) # Baby # E Je Ka Jo (feat.

) # Pillow # Something About You (Silva Stone Remix) # Winchi Winchi (feat.

Sway DaSafo Derek Andrew Safo (born 5 September 1982), better known by his stage name Sway or Sway DaSafo, is a British rapper of Ghanaian descent. He is also a producer, having established Dcypha Productions, signed to Island/Universal (label founder). ...

& Dotstar) * MAVINS – ''

Solar Plexus The celiac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers, is a complex network of nerves located in the abdomen, near where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdomin ...

'' "MAVIN Records" (2012) # Intro by MAVINS (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri) # I'm A MAVIN by MAVINS (Michael Ajereh, Tiwatope Savage, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojosipe, Charles Enebeli) # Oma Ga by Tiwa Savage (Michael Ajereh, Tiwatope Savage, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojosipe) # YOLO by Dr SID (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri) # See Me Ri by Wande Coal (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojisipe, Towa Ojosipe) # Take Banana by D'PRINCE (Michael Ajereh, Charles Enebeli) # CPR by Dr SID (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri) # Forever by Wande Coal (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri, Wande Ojosipe, Towa Ojosipe) # Why You Over There by D'PRINCE (Michael Ajereh, Charles Enebeli) # Chocolate by Dr SID (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri, Charles Enebeli) # Pretty Girls by Wande Coal (Michael Ajereh, Wande Ojosipe) # Amarachi by D'PRINCE (Michael Ajereh, Charles Enebeli) # Outro by MAVINS (Michael Ajereh, Sidney Esiri)

Singles with Mo' Hits artists

* D'Prince # Omoba # I like What I See (feat.

) # Ooze (feat.

) # Give It To me (feat.

) * D'banj # Tongolo (2005) # Soko (2005) # Mobolowowon (2005) # Why Me (2006) # Run Down (2006) # Kimon (2008) # Olorun Maje (2008) # Gbono Feli (2008) # Entertainer (2008) # Suddenly (2008) # Fall in Love (2008) # Igwe (2008) #

(2010) # I do This # Scape Goat (2010) # ashanti (2010) # Mr Endowed (Remix) (feat.

Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion), is an American rapper. His fame dates back to 1992 when he featured on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, " ...

) (2010) #

Oliver Twist ''Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress'', Charles Dickens's second novel, was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839, and as a three-volume book in 1838. Born in a workhouse, the orphan Oliver Twist is bound into apprenticeship with ...

(2011) * Wande Coal # Bumper 2 Bumper # You Bad # Kiss Your Hand # Who Born the Maga # Been Long You Saw Me (feat. Don Jazzy) (2011) # Go Low (2011) *Dr SID # Something About You (2009) # Winchi winchi (2009) # Pop Something(feat.

) # Over The Moon (2010) # Chocolate # Y.O.L.O # C.P.R # Afefe # Chocolate West African Remix (feat.

Ice Prince Panshak Henry Zamani (born 30 October 1984) better known as Ice Prince Zamani or just Ice Prince, is a Nigerian rapper, hip hop recording artist and actor. He rose to fame after releasing " Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed songs of all t ...

Sarkodie

Elom Adablah Elom Adablah (born 28 June 1989), better known by his stage name E.L, is a Ghanaian Afrobeats musician, rapper, singer and producer. E.L's singles include "Obuu Mo", "Kaalu", "One Ghana", "Auntie Martha", "Shelele", "Mi Naa Bo Po", "Koko" an ...

Lynxxx Chukie Edozien (born November 24, 1983), better known by his stage name Lynxxx, is a Nigerian hip-hop recording artist and entrepreneur. In 2010 he released his debut studio album ''This is Lynxxx'' and went on to become the first Nigerian arti ...

) # Chocolate East African Remix (feat. Musik Maestro) # Lady Don Dada # Love Mine # Talented # Baby Tornado # Baby Tornado Remix (feat.

Alexandra burke Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke (born 25 August 1988) is a British singer, songwriter and actress. She won the fifth series of the British television series ''The X Factor'' in 2008, and has been signed to Epic Records, RCA Records and Syc ...

) # Surulere (feat. Don Jazzy) *Mo'Hits Allstars # Ten Ten

Singles with other artists

* Darey – Escalade part 2 * Darey – Stroke Me * Shank – Never Felt * Naeto C – Asewo * Ikechukwu – Like You (feat.

) * Ikechukwu – Wind am well (feat. Don Jazzy and

) * Ikechukwu – Do (feat.

) * Ikechukwu – All on Me * Ikechukwu – Critical (feat.

) *

Ikechukwu Ikechukwu Onunaku, known professionally as Ikechukwu and Killz is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and actor. He was a cast member in '' The Wedding Party'' and '' The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai''. Onunaku was born in Manassas, Virginia to Ni ...

– Now is the time (feat. Don Jazzy) * Sauce Kid – Under G *

– Lift Off (feat.

) *

Weird MC Weird MC (born Adesola Adesimbo Idowu on 9 July 1970) is a Nigerian-British rapper, songwriter, and producer. Known for her English/ Yoruba lyrics, Weird MC, who is also known as Shola Idowu and The Rappatainer, is one of Africa’s most popul ...

– Ijoya
Burna Boy – Question (2021)
* Jahborne - Wayo

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. Ajereh has a younger brother,

D'Prince Charles Enebeli (born 23 October 1986), better known by his stage name D'Prince, is a Nigerian Afropop singer. He is the founder and the CEO of Jonzing World, an entertainment company he founded in 2019. Early life Charles Enebeli was born i ...

. In July 2022, he announced the death of his mother via his Instagram page. 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 hav
lost their mother
to

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

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 ''Inspector Morse'' is a British television crime drama, starring John Thaw and Kevin Whately Kevin Whately (born 6 February 1951) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Neville "Nev" Hope in the British comedy drama '' Auf Wi ...

’. 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 ot Cele’

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jazzy, Don 1982 births Living people Ambrose Alli University alumni English-language singers from Nigeria Nigerian hip hop record producers Nigerian hip hop singers Nigerian music industry executives Nigerian singer-songwriters The Headies winners Yoruba-language singers 21st-century Nigerian singers Nigerian TikTokers Musicians from Umuahia