Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian music executive, record producer, singer, songwriter, businessman, and philanthropist. He founded the record label Mavin Records in 2012, as a subsidiary of Mavin Global Holdings, through which he has signed artists including Rema, Ayra Starr, Magixx, Bayanni, Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, Lifesize Teddy, DJ Big N, and Boy Spyce.- He co-founded Mo' Hits Records with D'banj in 2004, and was an in-house producer for Kanye West's GOOD Music from 2011 to 2013.
Early life and education Don Jazzy was born Michael 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.
Ajereh's family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos, where Don Jazzy was raised. 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. 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.
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.Amoo T. Point Blank Don Jazzy Hip Hop World Magazine 1 February 2010. 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
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 recognizable producer/artist tags, "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'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 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. In March 2012, Don Jazzy and D'Banj confirmed their breakup citing artistic differences.Breaking news, it's over, Don Jazzy confirms Mohits Break Up TheNETng 7 November 2013. Accessed 22 April 2015
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."Naija B.From Mo'Hits to Mavin Records! The New Music PowerHouse Label Bellanaija company 7 June 2012. Accessed 22 April 2015. 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 "Mavin League" to complement and market his label.don Jazzy changes random boys life View Nigeria newspaper.27 March 2015. Accessed 22 April 2015.
On 5 November 2013, Don Jazzy publicly accused Mavin Records artist Wande Coal of intellectual property theft following the release of the single "Baby Face", which Wande Coal said was produced by Shizzi. The accusation followed reports that Wande Coal had earlier released and promoted the single "Kilaju" without the label's support. Jazzy shared a studio demo of "Baby Face" online, which he said had been recorded the previous year, while Wande Coal denied the claim and shared what he described as the original version of the song. Mavin Records formally announced Wande Coal's departure on 7 November 2013, shortly after the public exchange.
In September 2014, Ajereh produced a Nigerian social activist song with Reekado Banks and Di'Ja called "Arise".The Mavins – Arise View Nigeria newspaper. 21 September 2014 Accessed 21 September 2014.
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.Olamide apologises over fight with Don Jazzy, swearing on live TV DailyPost Nigeria 2 January 2016. Accessed 25 January 2016.Don Jazzy, Olamide settle rift, apologise over Headies 'wahala' Vanguard News January 2016. Accessed 25 January 2016.
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.
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.
On 7 April 2021, he revealed why he never signed Davido. He stated that he didn't need to because he "knew he was going to be big."
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.The Last 3 Digits YouTube promotion. Accessed 27 October 2014The last 3 digits 9 Aija books and movies blog. 12 November 2012. Accessed 12 November 2012Audu J. New trailer alert: Moses Inwang's The last 3 Digits Judith Audu Blog 2014. Accessed 29 October 2014.Izuzu C. The Last 3 Digits Moses Inwang's movie wins Best International film award Pulse Nigeria Accessed 4 June 2015.
Jazzy Burger In 2022, Don Jazzy teamed up with Nigerian entrepreneur Richard Chinedu Nnadi to launch Jazzy Burger.
Awards and recognition Nigerian Music Awards (2006) – Producer of the Year. Nigerian Entertainment Awards (2007) – Music Producer of the Year. The Headies 2011 – Producer of the Year for Over The Moon, Mr Endowed and Pop SomethingHeadies prize giving event Hip Hop World magazine 11 June 2012. The Headies 2014 – Producer of the Year for DorobucciHeadies 2014 winners Hip Hop World magazine 2014. City People Entertainment Award (2015) – special recognition award.Adunni A. List of Winners Naij.com 14 September 2015. Accessed 14 September 2015 The Beatz Award TM (2019) – New Discovery Producer.
Production discography Albums D'banj – No Long Thing (2005) D'banj – RunDown Funk U Up (2006) D'banj – The Entertainer (2008) Mo' Hits All Stars – 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 3:51 Who Born The Maga (featuring Kay Switch) 4:37 That's Wots Up 4:42 Bananas 3:59 Taboo 4:24 Jehovah 4:02 Ololufe 4:56 Ten Ten 3:50 My Grind 4:48 Been long you saw me Private trips Go low 3:50 The kick 4:12 Rotate 3:51
Dr SID Turning Point (2010) When This Song Comes On Over the Moon (feat. K-Switch) Something About You Winchi Winchi (feat. Wande Coal) Pop something (feat. D'Banj) a Mi Jo (feat. Ikechukwu, M.I & eLDee) Baby E Je Ka Jo (feat. D'Banj) Pillow Something About You (Silva Stone Remix) Winchi Winchi (feat. Wande Coal, Sway DaSafo & Dotstar)
MAVINS – Solar Plexus "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. Wande Coal) Ooze (feat. D'Banj) Give It To me (feat. D'Banj)
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) Mr Endowed (2010) I do This Scape Goat (2010) ashanti (2010) Mr Endowed (Remix) (feat. Snoop Dogg) (2010) Oliver Twist (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. D'Banj) Over The Moon (2010) Chocolate Y.O.L.O C.P.R Afefe Chocolate West African Remix (feat. Ice Prince Sarkodie Elom Adablah Lynxxx) Chocolate East African Remix (feat. Musik Maestro) Lady Don Dada Love Mine Talented Baby Tornado Baby Tornado Remix (feat. Alexandra burke) 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. Wande Coal) Ikechukwu – Wind am well (feat. Don Jazzy and D'Banj) Ikechukwu – Do (feat. D'Banj) Ikechukwu – All on Me Ikechukwu – Critical (feat. D'Banj) Ikechukwu – Now is the time (feat. Don Jazzy) Sauce Kid – Under G Kanye West & Jay-Z – Lift Off (feat. Beyoncé) Weird MC – 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.
In July 2022, he announced that his mother had died to cancer via his Instagram page.
Membership of Cherubim and Seraphim Church Don Jazzy has confirmed he is still a committed member of the white garment church called ‘Cherubim and Seraphim’. The music producer was honoured by the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim & Seraphim church worldwide. Before this announcement, it was not widely known that the beat maker was a member of the church.
References
External links
Why I did not sign Davido – Don Jazzy finally reveals.