Don Jazzy
Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer, audio engineer,record executive,singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records[1].Don Jazzy was co-owner of the defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with Dbanj.
Don Jazzy | |
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Don Jazzy at AMVCA 2020 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Collins Ajereh |
Born | Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria | 26 November 1972
Genres | Pop, R&B, Afro pop, African hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, record producer, song writer entrepreneur |
Years active | 2002—present |
Labels | Mo' Hits Records, Mavin Records |
Associated acts | D'Banj, Dr SID, D'Prince, Wande Coal, Mo' Hits AllStars, Ikechukwu, Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Di'Ja, Rema, Johnny Drille, Ladipoe |
Website | www.mavinrecords.com |
Background
Don Jazzy was born Micheal Collins Ajereh in Umuahia, Abia State on November 26, 1972, 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.[2] Don jazzy's younger brother is D'prince (Charles Enebeli) .Don jazzy's family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos where Don Jazzy was raised.[3]
Early life and education
Ajereh's family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos where Don Jazzy was raised.[4] 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 studies 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.[5] Don Jazzy gained employment at McDonald's as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek, JJC, 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.thunder fire you had also been started. 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's Mushin 2 MoHits, an album that was described as one of the best albums to ever come out of Nigeria.[6]
Although Don Jazzy did not take credit as a singer, he performed background vocals for artists he produced. These performances include vocals for D'Banj, Sauce Kid, Dr SID, Ikechukwu, Kween, D'Prince, Jay-Z. Don Jazzy provided vocal performance for Kanye West's song Lift Off with Beyoncé on the Watch The Throne album.
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.[7]
Mavin records
On 7 May 2012, Don jazzy announceded 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."[8] 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 "Marvin League" to complement and market his label.[9]
On 5 November 2013, Ajereh had conflict with an artist, Wande Coal who left the label two days later.[10]
In September 2014, Ajereh produced a Nigerian social activist song with Reekado Banks and Di'Ja called Arise.[11]
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.[12][13]
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.[14][15][16][17]
Awards
- 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 Something[18]
- The Headies 2014 - Producer of the Year for Dorobucci[19]
- City People Entertainment Award (2015) - special recognition award.[20]
- The Beatz Award TM (2019) - New Discovery Producer.[21]
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 3:44
- 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 (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 (ft Ice Prince Sarkodie Elom Adablah Lynxxx)
- Chocolate East African Remix (ft Musik Maestro)
- Lady Don Dada
- Love Mine
- Talented
- Baby Tornado
- Baby Tornado Remix (ft Alexandra burke)
- Surulere (ft 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
References
- "The Don Jazzy Story". Vanguard. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- "Don Jazzy blasts Ladies who mocked Banky W's car". Information Nigeria. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018. - https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/08/unveiling-the-secrets-of-don-jazzy/
- https://www.naija.ng/1162539-where-don-jazzy.html
- "Don Jazzy – Age, Hometown, Biography". dakingsman.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- Amoo T. Point Blank Don Jazzy Archived 31 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hip Hop World Magazine 1 February 2010.
- Wande Coal, Wizkid. Ynaija website.
- Breaking news, it's over, Don Jazzy confirms Mohits Break Up TheNETng 7 November 2013. Accessed 22 April 2015
- Naija B.From Mo’Hits to Mavin Records! The New Music PowerHouse Label Bellanaija company 7 June 2012. Accessed 22 April 2015.
- don Jazzy changes random boys life View Nigeria newspaper.27 March 2015. Accessed 22 April 2015.
- Marvin Records released official statement over Wandel Coal Gist Yinka 7 November 2013. Accessed 22 April 2015.
- The Mavins – Arise View Nigeria newspaper. 21 September 2014 Accessed 21 September 2014.
- 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.
- The Last 3 Digits You tube promotion. Accessed 27 October 2014
- The last 3 digits 9 Aija books and movies blog. 12 November 2012. Accessed 12 November 2012
- Audu 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.
- Headies prize giving event Archived 14 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hip Hop World magazine 11 June 2012.
- Headies 2014 winners Archived 15 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Hip Hop World magazine 2014.
- Adunni A. List of Winners Naij.com 14 September 2015. Accessed 14 September 2015
- Opeloyeru A. Sunnewsonline.com 08 December 2019. Accessed November 2019