These are the top 10 Nigerian musicians that Don Jazzy has helped
Michael Collins Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy, aka Don Baba J, is currently the owner and CEO of Mavins Record and here are the top 10 Nigerian musicians that Don Jazzy has helped
Don Jazzy was a part owner of the no longer existing Mo’ Hits records. With both labels, the talented producer has brought up many top Nigerian artists to spotlight.
Fact is, a lot of top Nigerian singers owe their success to Don Jazzy. In this article, we’ll look at top artists Don Jazzy has helped reach the top.
Top 10 Nigerian musicians that Don Jazzy has helped
1. Rema
Rema got into the Nigerian music scene in 2019. He was signed to Jonzing World which is a record label under Don Jazzy’s Mavins.
To announce his signing, Rema put out a self-titled EP which contained all hits, most particularly Dumebi and Iron Man which was acknowledged by Barack Obama.
Rema has since put out two more EPs, the Rema Freestyle EP and the Bad Commando EP. In 2019 when he was signed, he won the Headies next rated award.
The next year, he won a Soundcity MVP award.
2. Wande Coal
Wande Coal is referred to by many as the most talented Nigerian artist. Well, if not for Don Jazzy, maybe we wouldn’t have known about this music maestro.
Wande Coal, aka Black Diamond was with Don Jazzy in Mo’Hits before the split and also with Mavins at the beginning days.
He was signed to Mo Hits in 2006 and he featured in the ÇV album where he did the solo Ololufe track. WC went on to drop his debut album Mushin To Mo’Hits.
3. Tiwa Savage
Arguably the greatest Nigerian female singer, Tiwa Savage was under Don Jazzy’s Mavins Record from 2012 to 2019.
Under Mavins, she released two studio albums, Once Upon A Time and R.E.D, and an EP, Sugarcane. She also put out several solo hits like Eminado in which she featured Don Jazzy.
Notably, Don Jazzy was the primary producer of her second studio album R.E.D. Tiwa Savage left Mavins after signing with Universal Music Group in 2019.
She didn’t leave without a message of gratitude to Don Jazzy.
4. D’Banj
While D’Banj was one part of Mo Hits, Don Jazzy was the other. In 2005, D’Banj released his debut album No Long Thing and the album was produced by Don Jazzy.
More specifically, Don Jazzy produced the album’s lead singles Tongolo and Socor.
In the international scene, D’Banj is very popular for his hit song Oliver Twist in 2012 which was produced by Don Jazzy.
However, Don Jazzy and D’Banj split in 2012 and that saw the end of Mo Hits. Years later, they’re cool with each other.
5. Reekado Banks
Reekado Banks is a new age artist discovered by Don Jazzy’s Mavins. In 2015, just a year after he signed, he won the Headies next rated award.
Reekado Banks laid the hook on Mavins Records big hit “Dorobucci” and he also featured in songs like Looku Looku and Adaobi.
He released singles like Turn it Up, Chop Am, Katapot which was produced by Don Jazzy. While under Don Jazzy’s Mavins, the singer released his debut studio album in 2016.
In 2018, Reekado Banks left Mavins and launched his own record, Banks Music.
6. Korede Bello
In 2015, the whole Nigeria was dancing to Godwin. Take Don Jazzy out of the Nigerian music industry and it may have been a different story.
Korede Bello was signed by Don Jazzy’s Mavins in 2014 along with Reekado Banks and Di’Ja.
Aside from Godwin, Korede Bello got other hit songs like Romantic and Do Like That. He was featured in Dorobucci, Looku Looku, Adaobi, and other Mavins hits.
Korede Bello is still signed to Mavins and he dropped his debut album in 2017.
7. Dr Sid
Dr Sid had somewhat of a head start in the Nigerian music industry during his time with Trybe Records and Da Trybe.
However, his major push came in 2007 after he joined Don Jazzy at Mo Hits, he made the hits Close to You and Booty Call with other label mates.
He released his debut album under Mo Hits and when Mavins split in 2012, he followed Don Jazzy to Mavins Records. Under Mavins, he released his sophomore album.
8. Crayon
Crayon was announced as a Mavins artist under Blowtime Entertainment in May 2019.
Just like Rema, he released an EP with hit tracks like So Fine, Gock Am, and Bamiloke.
In no time, Crayon was controlling the Nigerian airwaves.
Don Jazzy first introduced Crayon in the group song “All is in Order”. This was just after artists like Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks left the label.
Don Baba J wasted no time in discovering the next hot talent. Crayon dropped his second EP, Twelve AM, in 2021.
9. Ayra Starr
As at the time of writing, Ayra Starr is the latest artist to join Don Jazzy Mavins. She’s riding on the new wave like the likes of Tems.
Thanks to Don Jazzy’s influence, her debut EP topped major charts in Nigeria, most especially the Away track.
It’s been less than a year, less than 6 months even that Ayra Starr signed with Don Jazzy’s Mavins. However, she’s already rated as one of the hottest new artists in Nigeria.
10. Johnny Drille
Johnny Drille’s popularity in the Nigerian music industry is an ideal example of how influential Don Jazzy.
The artist sings folk and alternative rock which are not mainstream genres in Nigeria.
However, he’s made hits with songs like Wait For Me, Romeo and Juliet, Halleluya, and Awa Love to name a few.
Johnny Drille has gotten 7 nominations at the Headies out of which he won one in 2019.