Don Jazzy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Jazzy
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Don Jazzy in 2018
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| Born |
Michael Collins Ajereh
26 November 1982 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
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| Citizenship | Nigerian |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Michelle Jackson
(m. 2003; div. 2005) |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Lagos, Nigeria |
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Michael Collins Ajereh (born on November 26, 1982), known as Don Jazzy, is a famous Nigerian record producer, singer, and businessman. He started his own music company, Mavin Records, in 2012. Through Mavin Records, he has helped many talented artists become stars, like D'Prince, Rema, and Ayra Starr.
Before that, he also co-founded another successful music company called Mo' Hits Records with D'banj in 2004. From 2011 to 2013, Don Jazzy even worked as a producer for Kanye West's music label, GOOD Music.
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Don Jazzy's Early Life and School
Don Jazzy, whose real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, was born in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. This was on November 26, 1982. His father, Collins Enebeli Ajereh, is from Delta State. His mother is an Igbo princess from Abia State.
When Don Jazzy was young, his family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos. This is where he grew up. He went to Federal Government College Lagos, which is a high school for both boys and girls.
Don Jazzy loved music from a young age. By the time he was 12, he was already playing the bass guitar and piano. He also learned about traditional African drums and other percussion instruments. Later, he studied business management at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo state.
In 2000, Don Jazzy's uncle invited him to London. He went there to play drums for a local church. While in London, he also worked at McDonald's as a security guard. He kept pursuing his passion for music, meeting and working with other musicians like Solek, JJC Skillz, and D'Banj.
Don Jazzy's Music Career
Mo' Hits Records and GOOD Music
In 2004, Don Jazzy teamed up with D'Banj to create Mo' Hits Records. Over the next two years, Don Jazzy produced popular albums like No Long Thing and Rundown/Funk You Up. During this time, 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. Many people say this was one of the best albums ever from Nigeria.
In 2011, Don Jazzy got a big opportunity. He was hired by Kanye West to be a producer at Very Good Beatz. Don Jazzy even worked with music legends Jay-Z and Kanye West. He helped produce the song Lift Off, which featured Beyoncé. This song was on their album Watch The Throne, released in August 2011.
In March 2012, Don Jazzy and D'Banj announced that they were splitting up. They said it was because of different ideas about their music.
Mavin Records
On May 7, 2012, Don Jazzy announced his brand new music company, Mavin Records. He said he wanted Mavin Records to become the most powerful music company in Africa very quickly. The next day, he released an album featuring the artists he had signed to his new label. This album included songs like "Amarachi" and "I'm a MAVIN". One of the first big artists Mavin Records signed was the talented singer, Tiwa Savage. Don Jazzy even created a social network platform called "Marvin League" to help promote his new label and its artists.
In November 2013, there was a disagreement with artist Wande Coal, who then left the label.
In September 2014, Don Jazzy produced a song called "Arise". It was a social activist song for Nigeria, featuring Reekado Banks and Di'Ja.
At the Headies Awards in 2015, Don Jazzy had a public disagreement with fellow artist Olamide. They argued about who should win the "Next Rated" award. Lil Kesh, from Olamide's label, lost to Reekado Banks, who was Don Jazzy's artist. The winner of this award received a car. Both artists later apologized.
After Reekado Banks left Mavin Records, Don Jazzy said that Reekado was still part of the Mavin family. He wished him all the best in his music career and thanked him for his time with the label.
In 2019, Don Jazzy signed Rema. Then, in 2020, he signed Ayra Starr to Mavin Records. In 2021, he announced another new artist, Magixx.
Don Jazzy in Movies
In 2012, Don Jazzy appeared in a Nollywood movie called The Last 3 Digits. The movie also featured other famous actors like Ali Baba and A.Y.. In April 2023, Don Jazzy joined the cast for the sequel to the movie 'Introducing The Kujus'.
Wande Coal and Don Jazzy: Music Pioneers
Wande Coal is a well-known Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is famous for his unique music style. In a recent interview, Wande Coal said that he and Don Jazzy helped shape the Nigerian music industry. He called their work "the syllabus of music." This means that many artists have learned from their music 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 learn and grow their own styles. He is happy that younger artists are using their teachings in their 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 create exciting sounds.
Awards Don Jazzy Has Won
- 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.
- 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 Production Work
Don Jazzy has produced many albums and singles for various artists. Here are some of them:
Albums Produced
- 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
- Booty Call
- Close To You
- Hey Girl
- Igbe Mi
- Masquerade
- No Long Thing
- Ololufe (Club Mix)
- Stop The Violence
- Why Me (Remix)
- Jasi
- Wande Coal – Mushin2Mohits (2008)
- I Know U Like It
- You Bad
- Se Na Like This
- Kiss Ur Hands
- Confused
- Se Ope
- Now It's All Gone
- Bumper 2 Bumper
- Who Born The Maga (featuring Kay Switch)
- That's Wots Up
- Bananas
- Taboo
- Jehovah
- Ololufe
- Ten Ten
- My Grind
- Been long you saw me
- Private trips
- Go low
- The kick
- Rotate
- 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
- I'm A MAVIN by MAVINS
- Oma Ga by Tiwa Savage
- YOLO by Dr SID
- See Me Ri by Wande Coal
- Take Banana by D'PRINCE
- CPR by Dr SID
- Forever by Wande Coal
- Why You Over There by D'PRINCE
- Chocolate by Dr SID
- Pretty Girls by Wande Coal
- Amarachi by D'PRINCE
- Outro by MAVINS
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
Don Jazzy's Personal Life
Don Jazzy married Michelle Jackson in 2003. He has shared that they faced challenges because he was so focused on his music career. They divorced about two years after they got married. Don Jazzy has said he doesn't plan to marry again soon. He worries that his strong dedication to music might hurt someone else's feelings again.
Don Jazzy has a younger brother named D'Prince, who is also a popular singer.
In July 2022, Don Jazzy shared sad news on his Instagram page. He announced that his mother had passed away due to cancer.
Don Jazzy and His Church
Don Jazzy has confirmed that he is still a dedicated member of the 'Cherubim and Seraphim' church. This is a white garment church in Nigeria. He was honored by the church worldwide. 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 of this church. When a fan asked him about it, Don Jazzy replied, "I still attend the church till now. But get it right, it’s Cherubim & Seraphim (not Cele)."
