Mavin Records (also known as the Supreme Mavin Dynasty) is a Nigerian
music corporation record label founded by record producer and recording artist
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. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'b ...
on 8 May 2012. The label's inception came to fruition following the closure of
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 ...
, a record label owned by the aforementioned producer 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 ...
.
The label is home to recording artists such as
Korede Bello
Oluwakorede Bello (born 29 February 1996) is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Mavin Records in 2014. Bello is best known for his hit single " Godwin", a semi-gospel and pop song which became a national anthem and t ...
,
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. ,
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 ...
,
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 ...
,
Johnny Drille
John Ighodaro (born July 5, 1990), professionally known as Johnny Drille, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. His career came into the spotlight when he released a cover of "Awww" by Di'Ja. He is currently signed to Mavin Records.
Early life ...
,
Ladipoe
Ladipo Eso popularly known as Ladipoe or Poe is a Nigerian Rapper & musician. On 28 February 2017, Ladipoe signed a record deal with Mavin Records. He rose to prominence with the song "Feel Alright" where he got featured by SDC "Show Dem Camp". H ...
, DNA Twins,
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 ...
, Crayon,
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 ...
,
MagixxBoy Spyceand Bayanni. It also houses producers such as Jazzy himself, Altims, London, Baby Fresh, and Andre Vibez. In 2014,
DJ Big N Nonso Temisan Ajufo known professionally as DJ Big N is a Nigerian DJ. As part of Mavin Records, DJ Big N has supported several of the label's top-billed acts, including supporting Tiwa Savage on her first American tour. He has released several Mav ...
became the label's official disc jockey.
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 ...
,
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 ...
,
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
Iyanya
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born 31 October 1986), known by his stage name Iyanya, is a Nigerian Afropop recording artist.
Career
He rose to fame after winning the first season of ''Project Fame West Africa'' and is best known for his hit single "Kuk ...
were all formerly signed to the label. On 8 May 2012, the label released its compilation album ''
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 ...
''.
In January 2019, Mavin Records secured a multi-million dollar investment from Kupanda Holdings, a subsidiary of Kupanda Capital and TPG Growth.
History
Signings, website launch, endorsements, and musical releases
Mavin Records started as a result of
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 ...
's departure from
Mo' Hits. Prior to commenting on D'banj's exit from Mo' Hits, there were allegations that D'banj signed over Mo' Hits to
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. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'b ...
. In an interview with ''Sunday Punch'', Don Jazzy addressed D'banj's departure from Mo Hits, saying, "We were working together, and all was going well." It got to a point where I looked at the situation and we both decided that it was not working, and we had to move on. Don Jazzy alluded to being hesitant about a name change. According to ''
BellaNaija
''BellaNaija'' is a lifestyle, entertainment and fashion website in Africa. headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
History
BellaNaija was founded by Uche Eze in 2006 as a media startup which later metamorphosed into BellaNaija.com while studying for ...
'', the term "Mavin" describes someone who is gifted and skilled in any field.
Upon establishing the rebranded record label, Don Jazzy said he sees Mavin Records as the powerhouse of music in Africa in the shortest possible time.
After rebranding Mo' Hits to Mavin, Don Jazzy signed Nigerian singer
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 ...
. Pulse Nigeria reported that Jazzy admires the singer's work ethic and drive. Pulse Nigeria also reported that Mavin Records signed producers Aluko "Altims" Timothy and Sunday "BabyFresh" Enejere.
On May 7, 2012, the record label launched its official website and the Mavin league, a social networking site designed to cater to their fans worldwide.
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. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'b ...
signed endorsement deals with Samsung and Loya Milk after establishing the label, and Tiwa Savage also signed an endorsement deal with Pepsi. Within a year of becoming a revamped brand, the record label released "Take Banana" and "Oma Ga" as singles from its debut compilation album, ''
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 ...
''.
In February 2014, Don Jazzy signed
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 ...
,
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
Korede Bello
Oluwakorede Bello (born 29 February 1996) is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Mavin Records in 2014. Bello is best known for his hit single " Godwin", a semi-gospel and pop song which became a national anthem and t ...
to Mavin Records a week after each other.
[*
*
*] On May 1, 2014, Mavin Records released the hit single "
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 ...
" to critical acclaim. On February 25, 2015, Don Jazzy and Tiwa Savage both signed endorsement deals with
Konga.com
Konga.com is a Nigerian e-commerce company founded in July 2012 with headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos State. It offers a third-party online marketplace, as well as first-party direct retail spanning various categories including consumer electronics ...
.
On October 31, 2016, several media outlets in Nigeria reported that
Iyanya
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born 31 October 1986), known by his stage name Iyanya, is a Nigerian Afropop recording artist.
Career
He rose to fame after winning the first season of ''Project Fame West Africa'' and is best known for his hit single "Kuk ...
signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Both Iyanya and Don Jazzy confirmed the report on Instagram. On February 28, 2017, Don Jazzy announced the signings of
Johnny Drille
John Ighodaro (born July 5, 1990), professionally known as Johnny Drille, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. His career came into the spotlight when he released a cover of "Awww" by Di'Ja. He is currently signed to Mavin Records.
Early life ...
,
Ladipoe
Ladipo Eso popularly known as Ladipoe or Poe is a Nigerian Rapper & musician. On 28 February 2017, Ladipoe signed a record deal with Mavin Records. He rose to prominence with the song "Feel Alright" where he got featured by SDC "Show Dem Camp". H ...
and DNA to Mavin Records. In March 2019, he also announced the signing of
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 ...
to Mavin. On May 31, Mavin unveiled the signing of Crayon. The next day, the record label released the collaborative single "All is in Order." On January 21, 2021, the label unveiled the signing of Ayra Starr, an 18-year-old female Afropop singer.
Departures
Wande Coal and IP theft controversy
Reports about Wande Coal's departure surfaced after he released and promoted the single "Kilaju" without the support of Mavin Records. On 5 November 2013, Wande Coal released a song titled "Baby Face" and said
Shizzi
Oluwaseyi Akerele, popularly known as Shizzi, is a Nigerian platinum record producer, disk jockey and songwriter.
Music career 2009–2015: Early life and career
Shizzi started out as a drummer in church. He achieved recognition for his work on ...
produced it for him. Subsequently, Don Jazzy went on Twitter and accused Coal of intellectual property theft.
He uploaded a studio demo of "Baby Face," which was supposedly recorded the previous year. Wande Coal tweeted several times, debunking Jazzy's allegations.
He also tweeted a link to the "original" studio version of the song.
Entertainment lawyer Demilade Olaosun spoke to ''
Premium Times
''Premium Times'' is a Nigerian online newspaper based in Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory. It was launched in 2011. The online medium is notable for investigative journalism and Reports among other fields.
Awards and nominations
In 2013 ...
'' newspaper about intellectual property (IP). He said the song is a property of Mavin Records since it was produced, arranged and voiced by an official of the label.
The lawyer also stated that since Wande Coal's recording contract was not made available to the public, speculations cannot be made about the IP of the recording sound.
On 7 November 2013, Mavin Records sent out a press release officially announcing Wande Coal's departure. The press release came shortly after the Twitter feud between Don Jazzy and Wande Coal.
Iyanya, Reekado Banks and Tiwa Savage
In a radio interview with Beat FM in February 2018, Iyanya announced his exit from Mavin Records, saying, "I'm now signed to Temple Music, but I'm a Mavin for life. It was not a beef. I was there, and it was time to move on". On 7 December 2018, Reekado Banks announced his departure from Mavin Records after 5 years and launching of his independent outfit banks music on Instagram. In May 2019, Universal Music Group announced the signing of Tiwa Savage.
During said announcement, it was revealed that Savage left Mavin Records.
Don Jazzy congratulated Savage on her UMG signing and said she will forever be remembered at Mavin.
Accolades
Mavin Records was nominated for Best Record Label of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards. The label won the aforementioned category at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards.
Artists
Current acts
Former acts
Producers
Current producers
*
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. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'b ...
* Altims
*
Babyfresh
DJ's
*
DJ Big N Nonso Temisan Ajufo known professionally as DJ Big N is a Nigerian DJ. As part of Mavin Records, DJ Big N has supported several of the label's top-billed acts, including supporting Tiwa Savage on her first American tour. He has released several Mav ...
Discography
Albums
Singles
Labels
Mavin Records owns, or has a joint share in, many of the record labels listed here.
*
Jonzing World
Jonzing World is a Nigerian record label and management company which was founded by a recording artist D'Prince on 22 March 2019. The label is currently distributed through Mavin Records unit Mavin Global. Jonzing services includes, music record ...
*Blowtime Entertainment
Notes
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Nigerian record labels
Record labels established in 2012
Contemporary R&B record labels
Pop record labels