Don Jazzy

Real Name: Michael Collins Ajereh

Don Jazzy

Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He co-founded the now defunct record label Mo' Hits Records in 2004. Following the closure of the aforementioned record label, Don Jazzy set up Mavin Records on May 8, 2012.

Early life and education

Ajereh was born in Lagos State. His family lived in Ajegunle, Lagos where Ajereh was raised. He was educated at the co-educational high school, Federal Government College Lagos. Ajereh found an interest in music early in life and at age 12, began to play the bass guitar. He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments. Ajareh enrolled in business management studies at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state.
In 2000, Ajereh visited London. His uncle had invited him to play the drums for the local church. In London, Ajereh gained employment at McDonald's and as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek, JJC, Kas, The 419 Squad and D'Banj. Ajereh learnt producing skills from Emeka Infiniti at O-Town record company.

Career

Mo' Hits records and GOOD music

In 2004, Ajereh collaborated with D'Banj to found Mo' Hits Records. In the next two years, Ajereh produced the albums No Long Thing and Rundown/Funk You Up. A third album, Curriculum Vitae, had also been started. Around this time, Ajereh developed a recognisable introduction, "It's Don Jazzy Again!"

In 2008, Ajereh 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.

Although Ajereh 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. Ajereh provided vocal performance for Kanye West's song Lift Off with Beyoncé on the Watch The Throne album.

In 2011, Ajereh was employed by Kanye West as a producer at Very Good Beatz. Kanye West made a surprise appearance at the Koko Concert in London. He showed support to D'Banj by giving him his chain. Ajereh 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 abandoned their partnership citing artistic differences.

Mavin records

On 7 May 2012, Ajereh announced a new record label, Mavin Records. Ajereh said, "I see Mavin Records being the power house of Music in Africa in the shortest possible time." 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. Ajereh built a social network platform called "Marvin League" to complement and market his label.
On 5 November 2013, Ajereh had conflict with an artist, Wande Coal who left the label two days later.

In September 2014, Ajereh produced a Nigerian social activist song with Reekado Banks and Di'Ja called Arise.

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

Other ventures

Samsung endorsement

Soon after Ajereh's split from D'Banj, the Samsung company introduced to the market "Built for Africa" products including an Afro-Pop home theatre launched in Cape Town with Ajereh endorsing.

Film appearance

In 2012, Ajereh appeared in Moses Inwang's movie The Last 3 Digits in Nollywood. Inwang also cast Ali Baba, A.Y., Nonso Diobi and Dr. Sid


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
The Headies 2014 - Producer of the Year for Dorobucci
City People Entertainment Award (2015) - special recognition award

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

Don Jazzy

Birth name Michael Collins Ajereh
Born Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres Pop, R&B, Afro pop, African hip hop
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, 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, Korede Bello, Di'Ja, Reekado Banks
Website www.mavinrecords.com