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D’banj shared the reason behind Don Jazzy’s mysterious personality
Nigerian music icon D’banj has opened up about the deliberate strategy behind Don Jazzy’s mysterious public image during their time as Mo’Hits Records co-founders.
Speaking in a new interview on The Afrobeats Podcast with Adesope Olajide, D’banj revealed that the calculated branding was designed to earn respect and fear from an industry that initially failed to recognize them as serious musicians due to their dual roles as artists and executives.
“After an award in 2006, they didn’t nominate Mo’Hits, and we had great success that year,” D’banj recalled. “Jazzy and I spoke, and we figured out that it’s because we were the only executives that were active [as musicians].”
To change the narrative, D’banj explained that they devised a plan for Don Jazzy to embody the archetype of a silent but powerful executive.
While D’banj took the spotlight as the charismatic performer, Don Jazzy transitioned into a more enigmatic figure, speaking sparingly and exuding the aura of a business mogul.
“We decided that we had to do something so the industry will fear and respect Don Jazzy.”
The strategy worked. Don Jazzy’s quiet confidence, paired with his remarkable production skills, earned him a reputation as one of the most respected figures in Nigerian music.
Their partnership laid the foundation for a Mo’Hits era defined by an unbroken streak of hit singles, including classics like Oliver Twist, Suddenly, and Why Me.
Though the iconic duo eventually went their separate ways, they’ve maintained a strong friendship. D’banj’s legacy as a trailblazer was recently recognized by Rema, who praised him during his sold-out concert at the O2 Arena for being instrumental in Afrobeats’ global rise.
Together, D’banj and Don Jazzy’s calculated moves and musical brilliance created one of the most transformative partnerships in African music history.