Don Jazzy
Biography
Producer, background vocalist, bussinessman and music entrepreneur Don Jazzy was born Michael Collins Ajereh on 26 November 1982 in Umuahia, Abia state. He moved with his family to Ajegunle, Lagos state where he was raised and studied Business Administration in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. A prodigious drummer, Don Jazzy was invited by an uncle to the United Kingdom to play for a local church.
While in the UK, in between working the occasional odd job, he steadily built on his craft and put his talents to effective use when he met a then struggling artiste known as D’banj.
Don Jazzy produced D’banj’s breakout single Tongolo as well as his subsequent albums. The duo set up Mo’Hits records and Don Jazzy began to insert himself into the culture through appearances in music videos of songs he produced. His larger than life persona became a hit with audiences everywhere and he amassed a following that would prove even more influential than the artistes he was promoting. He ultimately earned production credits on Lift off a track from Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative project.
When Don Jazzy’s relationship with D’banj went sour and their business union Mo’Hits crumbled, he rebounded shortly after with Mavin records. The original Mavin line up consisted of Jazzy himself, Wande Coal, D’Prnce, Dr Sid and Tiwa Savage. When Wande Coal left due to irreconcilable differences, Mavin signed up a new generation of artistes including Korede Bello, Reekado Banks and Di’ja.
Selected discography
Albums
No Long Thing- D’banj (2005)
RunDown Funk U Up- D'banj (2006)
Mo' Hits All Stars Curriculum Vitae 2007
The Entertainer- D'banj (2008)
Mushin 2 Mo’Hits- Wande Coal (2008)
Turning point- Dr Sid (2010)
Solar plexus- Mavin All stars (2012)
Frenzy- D’Prince (2012)
Siduction- Dr Sid (2013)
Once Upon a time- Tiwa Savage (2013)
Awards
Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2006 - Producer of the Year
Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2007- Music Producer of the Year
The Headies 2011 Producer of the Year for the songs Over The Moon, Mr Endowed and Pop Something
The Headies 2014 Producer of the Year for the song Dorobucci
City People Entertainment Award 2015- Special Recognition Award