Wednesday, May 8, 2013, marks exactly one year that
Michael Collins Ajereh publicly decided to chart a new course for himself with
the birth of Mavin Records-home to the Mavin League. It also marks his
birthday.
The last 12 months have been clouded with several
can he get it right alone? Would he pull it through all by himself?
When news circulated that Don Jazzy and Dbanj had
split last year it was also said that he left with all Don Jazzy’s catalogue.
Of course everyone thought that would be the end of him.
And considering the obvious fact that the last one
year has become symbolic as one of the most trying periods for the Nigerian
entertainment industry, it has also become a symbolic year in the life of the
man who is now known and well referred to as Don Jazzy.
Not many had given him the slightest opportunity to
prove his worth-accusations were flying around-but Don Jazzy remained resolute,
determined and undeterred in his decision to break even with the MAVINS. Don
Jazzy has successfully remained relevant, steadfastly cooking up beats-as much
as he can, churning out productions that has left the music industry in a state
of frenzy. He has bounced back from scratch!
Has he succeeded? That varies largely on your
definition of success but with over a dozen hit productions this year-Take
Banana, Oma Ga, Amarachi, Goody Bag, Kick, Without my heart, Rotate, Lady Don
Dada- in the last one year, one can only pat the beefy producer on the back for
daring to dare and standout! He has bounced back from scratch!
From Tiwa Savage to Wande Coal, D’Prince and Dr.
Sid, it’s obvious that Don Jazzy has structured a way out for himself and his
league of Mavins.
However, only few people want to understand the
obvious fact that the 31 year old music producer, whose wizardry has become one
of the most talked about revolutions in the Nigerian music industry, remains
the regular man who can be caught tweeting on popular micro-blogging network
site, Twitter, as Don Jazzy, or the young man that has decided to give back to
that major society that has consistently supported him. Without attracting
undue possession, the term, IDJA (It’s Don Jazzy Again) became one of Nigeria’s
most trending and popular 4-letter word on Twitter.
Although mystery remains his strongest point, Don
Jazzy, has left Nigerians-in Nigeria and its diaspora- wondering who and where
he hails from.
Michael Collins Ajereh was born on November 26,
1982.A Nigerian Multi award-winning record producer, singer-songwriter,
musician, former CEO of Nigerian record label Mo' Hits Records founded in 2004
and current CEO of the Mavin Records label which he founded in May 2012.
In his kitty, Don Jazzy prides himself as a Voice,
Fashion and Social Networking guru, Mo'Hits/ G.O.O.D. Music producer, Samsung
Deal, Mavin Records, Mavin League, Loya milk endorsement and an awesome production
discography record.
Michael had always had a flair for music, singing
and playing the drums from the age of 4. He developed a passion for the bass
guitar at the age of 12, He went on to study Business Management at the Ambrose
Alli University Ekpoma in Edo stat before he moved to London in the United
Kingdom in 2000 after his uncle invited him to come play the drums for the
neighborhood Church.
Various odd jobs followed including working at
McDonalds and as a security guard. Already imbued with an intimate knowledge of
traditional and percussion instruments, Don Jazzy further built on his musical
knowledge during his UK stint. Finding fellow kindred spirits in the likes of
Solek, JJC, The 419 squad and D’Banj, the gang would spend unrelenting hours
practicing, recording and performing different types of music.
Jazzy’s appetite for a full-time career in music
could no longer be satiated when, in 2004, he partnered with D’Banj to set up
the Mo' Hits label. Within two years, the prolific producer had wrapped up two
albums (No Long Thing and Rundown/Funk You Up) with his former Mo' Hits partner
and was working on a third, Curriculum Vitae. By this time, he had already
started becoming a household name with the trademark intro – It’s Don Jazzy
Again!
In 2008 there were further production credits for
the best selling album of that year; The Entertainer Don Jazzy repeated the
trick with Wande Coal’s Mushin 2 MoHits, an album that was described as one of
the best albums to ever come out of Nigeria.
Although not acknowledging himself as a recording
artist, he is responsible for doing most Background Vocals for Artists he
produces for and sometimes does complete verses. His musical dexterity can be
heard through his beats and well calculated vocals he assists to the likes of
D'Banj, Sauce Kid, Dr SID, Ikechukwu, Kween, D'Prince and even Jay-Z and Kanye
West on their Watch The Throne track Lift Off, featuring Beyoncé.
In 2011 his talents got him noticed by Kanye West
who signed him up as a producer on his GOOD Music label.With over a 100
production tracks to his name, the understated genius has worked with a host of
local and international celebrities. In spite of his whirlwind superstardom,
Don Jazzy has never forgotten his humble beginnings.
On the wake of the split up of Mohits, Samsung
unveiled their "Built for Africa" products and Don Jazzy was signed
on as their spokes person.
On May 8 2012, Don Jazzy said, “The way forward now
is to make sure I keep bringing you guys more of the beautiful music you all
love to dance to,” He kept his promise of a new beginning, as he announced the
birth of Mavin Records.
The multiple award winning producer and
philanthropist has activated several fans with several music productions and
hit songs leaving It’s Don Jazzy Again, IDJA on the lips of every one that
matters. It’s a year now and needless to say Don Jazzy the internationally
acclaimed producer,Nigerian multi award winning producer,singer,song
writer,CEO Mavins record label,
endorsements from Samsung and Loya, philanthropist is in it to win it and he is
here to stay!
Happy Birthday IDJA!
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