Don Jazzy also said he enjoys giving young artistes opportunities because they need guidance to excel
By Kehinde Okeowo
Popular Nigerian record producer, Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy, has disclosed why his now-defunct record label, Mo’hits did not sign ace Afrobeats singers, Wizkid and Davido.
The founder and CEO of Mavin Records, gave these reasons while featuring as a guest on the latest episode of the Leaderboard podcast hosted by Fisayo Fosudo.
According to Don Jazzy, he was unable to sing Wizkid to the label because EME boss, Banky W approached the “Ojuelegba” crooner before him.
On why he missed out on Davido, he said he did not sign him because he figured out that he has all the support he needed to excel without a record label’s support.
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Don Jazzy also admitted that he regretted not signing Simi and Teni before adding that a communication breakdown stopped him from signing famous rapper, Falz The Bahd Guy.
Speaking during the chat, he said: “I like Simi, I didn’t sign her. I wish I did. I like Teni, but I didn’t sign her. I wish I did.
“I had the opportunity of signing Davido but I didn’t because I kind of figured that he would be fine. Wizkid, obviously, I couldn’t because Banky W got to him first. That would have been amazing.
“Falz, I love his work. We almost had a deal.”
He went on to say he enjoys discovering talents and giving opportunities to upcoming artistes because they are unlikely to attain their full potential without proper guidance.
“In our early stage when we started [as musicians], we were kind of lost for a while before we got our balance. So, if I see young artists now, I’m like, ‘if this person doesn’t have like guidance before they get to a certain level, they might just be lost as well. It would be nice if we could speed up the process. It would be nice if somebody that has been down the road before… You know where the potholes dey dey, you can just tell the person say, I don pass this road before. Avoid this road, follow here.’ he further said.