Michael Collins Enebeli, widely known as Don Jazzy, is unarguably
Nigeria’s most high profile music producer.
Nigeria’s most high profile music producer.
Beyond his dexterity in the
area of music production however, Don Jazzy has shown he is also good
when it comes to the discovery and nurturing of raw talents.
The Supreme
Mavin Dysnasty boss, who worked with D’banj for several years before
they parted ways, discovered Wande Coal while running one of Nigeria’s
biggest music labels, Mo Hits Records (co owned by himself and D’banj).
Discovering Wande Coal, famously called the Black Diamond on the streets
of Mushin, one of Nigeria’s most notorious slums, Don Jazzy turned him
into a fine blend before they parted ways a few years ago.
area of music production however, Don Jazzy has shown he is also good
when it comes to the discovery and nurturing of raw talents.
The Supreme
Mavin Dysnasty boss, who worked with D’banj for several years before
they parted ways, discovered Wande Coal while running one of Nigeria’s
biggest music labels, Mo Hits Records (co owned by himself and D’banj).
Discovering Wande Coal, famously called the Black Diamond on the streets
of Mushin, one of Nigeria’s most notorious slums, Don Jazzy turned him
into a fine blend before they parted ways a few years ago.
He is also
credited with the conversion of former Trybe Records rapper, Dr Sid to a
singer with one of the best songs in the land in the last 5 years. So
soothing is the transition for the ‘Surulere’ singer that his days of
struggling as a rap act is now almost entirely forgotten. One would
think his Supreme Mavin Dynasty was already loaded enough with notable
stars like Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid and D’Prince but that streak of nurturing
raw talents propelled Don Jazzy into signing Korede Bello, Reekado
Banks and Di’ja in February last year.
credited with the conversion of former Trybe Records rapper, Dr Sid to a
singer with one of the best songs in the land in the last 5 years. So
soothing is the transition for the ‘Surulere’ singer that his days of
struggling as a rap act is now almost entirely forgotten. One would
think his Supreme Mavin Dynasty was already loaded enough with notable
stars like Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid and D’Prince but that streak of nurturing
raw talents propelled Don Jazzy into signing Korede Bello, Reekado
Banks and Di’ja in February last year.
When
the three young artistes, fondly called the Mavin 2.0, were unveiled
early last year, many criticised the decision, saying it could derail
the ambitions of the label. For many of the critics, Don Jazzy should
have concentrated more on Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid and D’Prince and was
biting more than he could chew by bringing on board 3 acts at a time
none of them had released any popular song. Fast forward to just a year
later, these young artistes have proved all doubters wrong, buy churning
out hit songs in quick succession and becoming music sensations in
Nigeria and beyond.
the three young artistes, fondly called the Mavin 2.0, were unveiled
early last year, many criticised the decision, saying it could derail
the ambitions of the label. For many of the critics, Don Jazzy should
have concentrated more on Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid and D’Prince and was
biting more than he could chew by bringing on board 3 acts at a time
none of them had released any popular song. Fast forward to just a year
later, these young artistes have proved all doubters wrong, buy churning
out hit songs in quick succession and becoming music sensations in
Nigeria and beyond.
This achievement has once again underlined the
status of Don Jazzy as a master of the game, whose mastery of
production, technical know-how have combined well with the vocal ability
of the three to turn them into stars in their own right. What’s
responsible for his successes is his understanding of consumer
psychology, his ability to listen and connect with music tastes and his
relentless passion for making good music. Of course, the A&R exec in
him, and the smart kids he’s surrounded himself with, have made sure he
picked three kids who are exactly what the fans need at this time.
Looking at the Nigerian music terrain, the feat becomes even more
incredible considering how long it takes to nurture young talents before
they blossom into established acts.
status of Don Jazzy as a master of the game, whose mastery of
production, technical know-how have combined well with the vocal ability
of the three to turn them into stars in their own right. What’s
responsible for his successes is his understanding of consumer
psychology, his ability to listen and connect with music tastes and his
relentless passion for making good music. Of course, the A&R exec in
him, and the smart kids he’s surrounded himself with, have made sure he
picked three kids who are exactly what the fans need at this time.
Looking at the Nigerian music terrain, the feat becomes even more
incredible considering how long it takes to nurture young talents before
they blossom into established acts.
It is safe to say no label in
recent history has achieved this feat. EME’s Shady and TrippleMG’s
Tekno, who many of us thought would give the likes of Davido and Wizkid a
big run for their money are still struggling to cement their status but
Don Jazzy has succeeded in turning three fresh talents into stars in
one year. These Mavins youngsters’ appeared on the scene last year but
today, they are rubbing shoulders with the heavyweights in the game.
They have been headlining shows across the country and even outside
Nigeria. They have been on all major shows in the last one year and even
performed at Ghana’s biggest annual musical event, Tigo Ghana Meets
Naija where they thrilled the audience to no end.
recent history has achieved this feat. EME’s Shady and TrippleMG’s
Tekno, who many of us thought would give the likes of Davido and Wizkid a
big run for their money are still struggling to cement their status but
Don Jazzy has succeeded in turning three fresh talents into stars in
one year. These Mavins youngsters’ appeared on the scene last year but
today, they are rubbing shoulders with the heavyweights in the game.
They have been headlining shows across the country and even outside
Nigeria. They have been on all major shows in the last one year and even
performed at Ghana’s biggest annual musical event, Tigo Ghana Meets
Naija where they thrilled the audience to no end.
The monster hit,
‘Dorobucci’ is the song that launched them into the music scene but they
each of the have gone on to prove their individual skills by releasing
their own hit songs. With their solo efforts, they have shown that they
are ready to deliver even more. Korede Bello released his first single,
‘African Princess featuring Don Jazzy on February 28, 2014. The industry
soon took notice following his performance in ‘Dorobucci.’ Upon the
release of his hit single, Godwin, his fan base has tripled and
suddenly, it is almost impossible for anyone to ask: ‘Who is Korede
Bello?’ no matter the part of the country you reside. He has won the
admiration of many ladies especially with his sweet sounding voice and
the wink that gets ladies crazy.
‘Dorobucci’ is the song that launched them into the music scene but they
each of the have gone on to prove their individual skills by releasing
their own hit songs. With their solo efforts, they have shown that they
are ready to deliver even more. Korede Bello released his first single,
‘African Princess featuring Don Jazzy on February 28, 2014. The industry
soon took notice following his performance in ‘Dorobucci.’ Upon the
release of his hit single, Godwin, his fan base has tripled and
suddenly, it is almost impossible for anyone to ask: ‘Who is Korede
Bello?’ no matter the part of the country you reside. He has won the
admiration of many ladies especially with his sweet sounding voice and
the wink that gets ladies crazy.
Even female celebrities are not left
out and some have gone as far as kissing him after watching him perform
on stage on more than one occasion. He
made headlines when Nigeria’s new President, Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter
took the viral picture with him after he had entertained the audience
during the new President’s inauguration dinner at the Villa. Reekado
Banks, who went by the stage name Spicy prior to his record deal with
SMD, was declared the Rookie of the Year at the 2014 edition of the
Headies. Reekado Banks premiered his first single, ‘Turn It Up’ on
February 21, 2014 which happens to be the same day he got signed to
Mavin Records.
out and some have gone as far as kissing him after watching him perform
on stage on more than one occasion. He
made headlines when Nigeria’s new President, Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter
took the viral picture with him after he had entertained the audience
during the new President’s inauguration dinner at the Villa. Reekado
Banks, who went by the stage name Spicy prior to his record deal with
SMD, was declared the Rookie of the Year at the 2014 edition of the
Headies. Reekado Banks premiered his first single, ‘Turn It Up’ on
February 21, 2014 which happens to be the same day he got signed to
Mavin Records.
The song features Tiwa Savage and was released as his
first official single under Mavin Records. His other songs, ‘Chop Am’
and ‘Katapot’ are popular hits. Di’ja started her career in 2008. In
2012, she released a number of singles including ‘Dan’Iska (Rudebwoy)’,
‘Hold On’ (Ba Damuwa)’ and ‘How Can We Be Friends’.
first official single under Mavin Records. His other songs, ‘Chop Am’
and ‘Katapot’ are popular hits. Di’ja started her career in 2008. In
2012, she released a number of singles including ‘Dan’Iska (Rudebwoy)’,
‘Hold On’ (Ba Damuwa)’ and ‘How Can We Be Friends’.
On February 14,
2015, Don Jazzy announced the addition of the young woman to Mavin
Records with her first official single under the label titled Yaro’ an
up-tempo celebration of love and commitment against all odds. Her
single, ‘Awww’ is one of the buzzing songs at the moment. While the
winning formula adopted by Don Jazzy might not be so difficult to figure
out; it is surely not all that easy to replicate.
2015, Don Jazzy announced the addition of the young woman to Mavin
Records with her first official single under the label titled Yaro’ an
up-tempo celebration of love and commitment against all odds. Her
single, ‘Awww’ is one of the buzzing songs at the moment. While the
winning formula adopted by Don Jazzy might not be so difficult to figure
out; it is surely not all that easy to replicate.
This is even more so
for record labels that only feast on the star power of established acts
without the real desire to invest in the future by recruiting and
nurturing talents. With his managing the established acts on one hand
and his infinite sense of aligning with the wishes of music lovers on
the other, labels with similar ambitions must be ready to become more
aware of what the people, especially the young ones, like in this age of
social media. And for Don Jazzy, you can hardly rule out a long winning
streak ahead. It is not for nothing that the label is officially named
the Supreme Mavin Dynasty….
for record labels that only feast on the star power of established acts
without the real desire to invest in the future by recruiting and
nurturing talents. With his managing the established acts on one hand
and his infinite sense of aligning with the wishes of music lovers on
the other, labels with similar ambitions must be ready to become more
aware of what the people, especially the young ones, like in this age of
social media. And for Don Jazzy, you can hardly rule out a long winning
streak ahead. It is not for nothing that the label is officially named
the Supreme Mavin Dynasty….
Source: Net Ng