Don Jazzy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Jazzy
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Don Jazzy in 2018
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Michael Collins Ajereh
26 November 1982 isoko, Delta State, Nigeria
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| Citizenship | Nigerian |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Michelle Jackson
(m. 2003; div. 2005) |
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| Musical career | |
| Origin | Lagos, Nigeria |
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Michael Collins Ajereh (born November 26, 1982), known as Don Jazzy, is a famous Nigerian music producer, singer, and businessman. He is also a songwriter and helps others. He started a big music company called Mavin Records in 2012. Through Mavin Records, he has signed many popular artists like Rema and Ayra Starr. Before that, he helped start Mo' Hits Records with D'banj in 2004. He also worked as a producer for Kanye West's GOOD Music from 2011 to 2013.
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Don Jazzy's Early Life and School
Don Jazzy was born Michael Collins Ajereh in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. This was on November 26, 1982. His father is from Isoko in Delta State. His mother is an Igbo princess from Abia State.
His family later moved to Ajegunle, Lagos, where he grew up. He went to Federal Government College Lagos for high school. Don Jazzy loved music from a young age. When he was 12, he started playing the bass guitar and piano. He also learned about traditional drums. He studied business management at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo state.
In 2000, Don Jazzy's uncle asked him to play drums for a church in London. This was his first trip to London. He also worked at McDonald's as a security guard. He kept working on his music and met other musicians like Solek and D'Banj.
Don Jazzy's Music Career
Starting Mo' Hits Records
In 2004, Don Jazzy and D'Banj created Mo' Hits Records. Over the next two years, Don Jazzy produced albums like No Long Thing and Rundown/Funk You Up. He became known for his special producer tag, "It's Don Jazzy Again!".
In 2008, Don Jazzy helped produce D'Banj's album The Entertainer. He also worked on Wande Coal's album Mushin 2 MoHits. This album was called one of the best from Nigeria.
In 2011, Kanye West hired Don Jazzy as a producer for Very Good Beatz. Don Jazzy worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West on a song called Lift Off. This song featured Beyoncé and was on the album Watch The Throne, released in August 2011. In March 2012, Don Jazzy and D'Banj announced they were no longer working together. They said it was because of different ideas about music.
Launching Mavin Records
On May 7, 2012, Don Jazzy started his new music company, Mavin Records. He wanted Mavin Records to become a very powerful music company in Africa. The next day, he released an album with songs from artists signed to his new label. This album included songs like "Amarachi" and "I'm a MAVIN". Mavin Records also signed the singer Tiwa Savage. Don Jazzy even created a social network called "Marvin League" to help promote his label.
In November 2013, an artist named Wande Coal left the label. In September 2014, Don Jazzy produced a song called "Arise". This song was about social activism in Nigeria. He made it with Reekado Banks and Di'Ja.
At the Headies Awards in 2015, Don Jazzy had a disagreement with another artist, Olamide. They disagreed about who should win the "Next Rated" award. Reekado Banks, Don Jazzy's artist, won the award and a car. Both artists later apologized.
When Reekado Banks left Mavin Records, Don Jazzy said he was still part of the family. He wished him success and thanked him for his time with the label.
In 2019, he signed Rema. Then in 2020, he signed Ayra Starr to Mavin Records. In 2021, he announced a new artist named Magixx.
Don Jazzy in Movies
In 2012, Don Jazzy acted in a Nollywood movie called The Last 3 Digits. The movie also featured actors like Ali Baba and A.Y.. In April 2023, Don Jazzy joined the cast for the next movie in the 'Introducing The Kujus' series.
Jazzy Burger
In 2022, Don Jazzy started a burger business called Jazzy Burger. He teamed up with Nigerian businessman Richard Chinedu Nnadi for this project.
Wande Coal and Don Jazzy: Music Pioneers
Wande Coal is a well-known Nigerian singer. He said in an interview that he and Don Jazzy helped create the "syllabus of music" in Nigeria. This means they set a standard and inspired many other artists. Many musicians have learned from their work and used it to create their own sounds.
When Wande Coal worked with Don Jazzy at Mo'hits Record and Mavin, they made amazing music together. Wande Coal said their teamwork was very strong. They created a musical foundation that helped new artists find their own styles. He is happy that younger artists use their teachings to make great music.
The work of Wande Coal and Don Jazzy has had a big impact on Nigerian music. Their partnership has inspired many new artists to try new things and push boundaries.
Awards and Recognition
Don Jazzy has won several awards for his music production:
- 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 songs like Over The Moon and Mr Endowed.
- The Headies 2014 – Producer of the Year for Dorobucci.
- City People Entertainment Award (2015) – Special recognition award.
- The Beatz Award TM (2019) – New Discovery Producer.
Don Jazzy's Personal Life
Don Jazzy married Michelle Jackson in 2003. He shared that they divorced about two years later. He said his strong focus on music caused problems in their marriage. He has mentioned that he does not plan to marry again soon. He fears his dedication to music might hurt someone else's feelings.
Don Jazzy has a younger brother named D'Prince. In July 2022, Don Jazzy announced on Instagram that his mother had passed away. She had been battling cancer.
Don Jazzy and the Cherubim and Seraphim Church
Don Jazzy has confirmed that he is still a member of the 'Cherubim and Seraphim' church. This is a white garment church in Nigeria. In the past, he was honored by the church. Pictures of him as a child wearing the church's special clothes also appeared online. Many people were surprised because they didn't know he was a member. Don Jazzy confirmed he still attends the church.
