By Celebrating Don Jazzy ‘The Prime Mover’ as he turns 35
The music connoisseur turns 35 years today and it is nothing but excitement for his friends and fans. Don Jazy no doubt remains one of the biggest entertainment brands in the Nigerian and perhaps African music industry and it is with little surprise that he has become this big despite not being a performing musician like other pop stars.
Born Michael Ajereh Collins on November 26, 1982, Don Jazzy has over the years calved a niche for himself as an outstanding producer and music label boss. Names like D’banj, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage and Dr SID no doubt owe a huge chunk of their success to the Don who founded the Supreme Mavin Dynasty following his rift with D’banj in 2012.
Five years after the establishing Mavin, Don Jazzy remains on top and has gone on to gist multitalented acts like Reekado Banks and Korede Bello to the industry.
It has however not been a rosy ride for the Ajegunle bred entertainer who ventured to the UK in search of greener pastures in the early 2000s. On getting to the United Kingdom where he had gone to be the in-house drummer for a neighbourhood white garment church, Don Jazzy interest in entertainment got boosted professionally when he started drumming with a juju band led by Mr Solek while working as a security guard at MacDonald’s.
He later teamed up with Funke Akindele’s husband, JJC Skillz who was then the leader of the pop group, JJC & 419 Squad. This was how Don Jazzy production skill was honed. A couple of years later, Don Jazzy picked up interest in D’banj who was also in London hustling. The duo would later become partners following the disbandment of JJC & 419 Squad.
Circa 2004, Don Jazzy and D’banj founded Mo’Hits Records and returned home to promote the latter’s music. Ofcourse D’banj immediately became a superstar and the rest is history.
Don Jazzy has overtime been described as one of the most consistent producer and music entrepreneur in recent times and his legend continue to rise especially on social media where he was one of the first Nigerian celebs to garner huge followership.
As he turns 35 today, here is wishing him more hits and perhaps a birthday message from his forever crush, Rihanna.
