Mavin Records founder and veteran music producer Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has sparked wide discussion across the entertainment industry after sharing candid thoughts on the current state of Nigerian music.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the On The Grind podcast, the renowned record executive voiced concern over what he sees as a rising reluctance among Nigerian artists to collaborate on projects.
Don Jazzy Addresses Pride in the Music Industry
During the interview, Don Jazzy made it clear that raw talent alone is not enough to maintain long-term success in the competitive music industry. He encouraged artists across all genres to put personal pride aside and embrace creative partnerships as a vital foundation for career longevity.
While acknowledging that a few exceptionally gifted musicians can handle songwriting, production, and performance without external help, he maintained that joint efforts remain crucial regardless of an individual’s skill level.
Learning From Decades of Success
The music mogul cited his own legendary career as practical proof of the power of teamwork. From his early days co-founding Mo’ Hits Records to building Mavin Records into a dominant force in African music, collaboration has been central to his journey.
Don Jazzy stressed that music stakeholders need to have more frequent and honest conversations about creative partnerships, suggesting that many emerging and established acts still have important lessons to learn about working together.