When Don Jazzy looks back on his journey, it’s easy to see the triumphs: the hit records, the global stars, and the Mavin empire. But few know how close he came to walking away from it all.
In a heartfelt conversation with Rolling Stone, the Nigerian music mogul, whose real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, opened up about one of the darkest moments of his career: the 2012 collapse of Mo’Hits Records, the legendary label he co-founded with D’banj.
“When Mo’Hits ended, I thought that was it. I almost packed up to move abroad,” he confessed. “But friends encouraged me to stay and start again, and Mavin Records was born. Since then, I’ve learned not to let anything break me.”
It’s hard to overstate what Mo’Hits meant to Afrobeats. The duo had dominated the 2000s with an unbroken string of classics: Tongolo, Why Me, Fall in Love songs that defined an era and soundtracked the genre’s early global recognition.
So when internal tensions caused the partnership to fall apart, it wasn’t just a breakup; it was an earthquake in the Nigerian music industry.
“When Mo’Hits ended, I thought that was it. I almost packed up to move abroad. But friends encouraged me to stay and start again, and Mavin Records was born”
Don Jazzy on the moment that tested him the most in his career (Via interview with RollingStone Africa) pic.twitter.com/wezcyvz6KG
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For Don Jazzy, the split was more than professional; it was personal. He had poured his identity into Mo’Hits, crafting beats that shaped a generation’s sound. When it all unraveled, he admits he was ready to leave Nigeria altogether.
But instead of running, he rebuilt. Out of the ashes of Mo’Hits came Mavin Records, founded in May 2012, a bold new beginning driven by sheer faith and resilience. He brought along familiar faces like Wande Coal, Dr SID, and D’Prince, while introducing fresh voices including Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Di’Ja.
That decision to stay changed everything. Under Don Jazzy’s visionary leadership, Mavin didn’t just survive; it redefined what an African record label could be.
Over the years, Mavin evolved from a local hit machine into an international powerhouse, birthing a new wave of Afrobeats stars.
Artists like Rema, whose 2022 smash Calm Down became the most-streamed African song on Spotify, and Ayra Starr, whose Rush earned a Grammy nomination in 2023, turned Mavin into a global brand. The label’s roster today—including Ladipoe, Crayon, Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, Johnny Drille, and DJ Big N, reflects a multi-genre ecosystem built on innovation and mentorship.
Then came the ultimate validation. In 2024, Universal Music Group (UMG) announced a majority investment in Mavin Global, cementing Don Jazzy’s legacy as not just a hitmaker but a builder of empires.
From almost giving up to building one of Africa’s most influential labels, Don Jazzy’s story is one of quiet resilience proof that even after the biggest fallouts, greatness can be reborn.
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