Johnny Drille also claimed that several record labels rejected him because of his music style.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigerian singer and songwriter, John Ighodaro, popularly known as Johnny Drille, has said that Mavin Records CEO, Michael Collins Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy, took a huge gamble when he signed him.
He made this known while featuring as a guest on the latest episode of the ‘CreativTea’ podcast.
According to the ‘Wait For Me’ crooner, Don Jazzy signed him primarily because he was a fan of his music and not for profit, at least initially.
He further disclosed that he initially struggled to secure a recording deal because of his musical style.
He added that he was pressured by two major labels who were interested in signing him to change his sound but he chose to remain authentic.
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Speaking during the interview, Johnny Drille said, “People could never have imagined that Mavin Records under Don Jazzy would sign an alternative artist like myself. It was weird for a lot of people.
“There were two other major labels in Nigeria that wanted to sign me, but the conversation was always around, ‘How do we change your sound? How do we make it faster? How do we make it danceable?’
“However, when I met Don Jazzy, there were no conversations like that. He was just really a fan of the music… that was a big risk to take, but he pulled it off.”
Johnny Drille gained prominence after participating in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013.
He released his debut album, Before We Fall Asleep in 2021 and joined Mavin Records in 2017.
