Don Jazzy: « I almost gave it all up after Mo’Hits »
Shaken by the collapse of Mo’Hits in 2012, Don Jazzy says he thought about giving it all up before being reborn with the founding of Mavin Records, now an empire of Nigerian music.
The famous Nigerian producer Don Jazzy reflected on one of the darkest moments of his career: the dissolution of the Mo’Hits Records label in 2012. Co-founded with artist D’banj, the label, then at the top of the afrobeat scene, split abruptly following deep disagreements between the two men.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Don Jazzy said he had thought about quitting music for good and moving abroad. “When Mo’Hits closed its doors, I thought it was the end. I nearly walked away and moved abroad. 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,” he said.
This difficult period ultimately became the starting point for a new creative drive. A few months later, Don Jazzy launched Mavin Records, today one of Africa’s largest labels. The venture brought together several former members of Mo’Hits — Wande Coal, Dr SID and D’Prince — and helped launch a new generation of successful artists such as Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello and Di’ja.
The label now counts among its headliners Rema, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Crayon, Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, Johnny Drille and DJ Big N. In 2024, Universal Music Group acquired a majority stake in Mavin Global, marking a new stage in the international expansion of the Nigerian urban music giant.