Breaking News:
DON JAZZY, Nigeria’s Famous Music Beatmaker wins Africa’s Most Creative Music Producer of the Year Award 2024 in America
…Former Kanya West’s Music Director defeats Ghana’s Shatta Wale, Liberia’s Sundaygar Dearboy, Zimbabwe’s Dakari; Tanzania’s S2KIZZY, Uganda’s Nessim, Kenya’s Vicky Pon Dis & South Africa’s Anatti with 80,000 votes
*Mercy Chinwo, soul-lifting singer emerges Africa’s Gospel Musician of the Year Award Winner
*DAVIDO defeats Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema; Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade; Teni to win ‘Nigeria’s Afrobeat Artist of the Year Award’
*Historic Award Presentation to hold in Lagos State before the end of First Quarter
*”We are pleased to inform the general public that in celebrating Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA 13th Year Media Anniversary in the United States, some outstanding Africans have written their names in gold as winners and will be officially inducted into the prestigious Halls of Fame in Nigeria on or before the end of the First Quarter in 2025″-Academy of Awards’ Committee/Board of Directors, Naija Standard Newspaper Management
*BY FEMI ADEREMI/ENTERTAINMENT Reporter, Naija Standard Newspaper, Lagos State, NEWTON IRABOR, SPECIAL ARTS & SOCIETY Editor, Abuja, Naija Standard Newspaper
AGAINST ALL ODDS, Kanya West’s former music producer, and one of Nigeria’s famous music beatmaker, MICHAEL COLLINS AJERE, fondly called ‘DON JAZZY’ in the global entertainment industry has risen shoulder high, stood tall, and written his name in the ink of history having defeated other top music producers in the African continent to win Africa’s Most Creative Music Producer of the Year Award 2024 in celebrating the 13th Year Media Anniversary of Naija Standard Newspaper Inc in the United States of America.
In a keenly contested competition by votes turned-in from millions of Africans across the continent under the guide of Academy of Awards’ Committee/Board of Directors, Naija Standard Newspaper Management, Don Jazzy defeats Ghana’s Shatta Wale, Liberia’s Sundaygar Dearboy, Zimbabwe’s Dakari; Tanzania’s S2KIZZY, Uganda’s Nessim, Kenya’s Vicky Pon Dis & South Africa’s Anatti with 80,000 votes.
Wale had 400,000 votes, Dearboy received 600,000 votes, Dakari was voted 250,000. S2KIZZY had 340,000 votes, Nessim received 360,000 votes, Vicky Pon Dis had 579,000 votes; Anatti received 390,000 votes and Don jazzy of Nigeria scored 680,000 votes.
Going by the press statement issued by the Academy of Awards’ Committee/Board of Directors, Naija Standard Newspaper Management at the end of its deliberation, ace musician, soul-lifting singer, Mercy Chinwo emerges Africa’s Gospel Musician of the Year Award winner.
In the Afrobeat category, David Adedeji Adeleke, a.k.a., DAVIDO defeats Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema; Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade; Teni to win ‘Nigeria’s Afrobeat Artist of the Year Award’.
Based on the on-going plans for the historic award presentation set to hold in Lagos State before the end of First Quarter, the Academy of Awards’ Committee/Board of Directors, Naija Standard Newspaper Management, explained: “We are pleased to inform the general public that in celebrating Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA 13th Year Media Anniversary in the United States, some outstanding Africans have written their names in gold as winners and will be officially inducted into the prestigious Halls of Fame in Nigeria on or before the end of the First Quarter in 2025.”
DON JAZZY, a monika in the entertainment industry, is famous for his ingenuity in music production from Africa to Europe, Asia to United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America. Don Jazzy has become a familiar, global household name in the music circle.
This legendary Nigerian born beatmaker, humble Billionaire is the face behind the unimaginable, rising success of most Nigerian artists around the world.
Certainly, this music icon has consistently featured Nigeria positively in the eyes of the world.
Under him, Mavin Records takes over music scene in Africa. He signed Rema, Ayra Starr, D’Prince, Tiwa Savage, Magixx, others on the label. He worked with Grammy Award Winners, Jay Z, Beyonce, others in Hollywood, co-founded Mo’ Hits Records with D’banj.
*Other African Music Producers, Nominees:
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., is a Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist. He is known by his stage name Shatta Wale, formerly Bandana. Shatta Wale changed his name to “Bandana” after senior high school and released the hit track “Bandana from Ghana.
Michael Davies, who is better known as Sundaygar Dearboy, is a Liberian singer, songwriter and record producer from Grand Bassa County.
Dakarai Gwitira, known professionally as Dakari, is a Zimbabwe-born record producer, audio engineer, and DJ. He is best known for his work with American rapper G-Eazy, having contributed to each of his studio albums since When It’s Dark Out (2015).
S2KIZZY is a Tanzanian record producer and songwriter. He is best known for producing Bongo Flava songs “Amaboko” and “Tetema” by Rayvanny featuring Diamond
Nessim cemented his reputation as one of Uganda’s finest producers by crafting chart-topping songs such as Tabbu by Ava Peace and Dax Vibes, and Mateeka by Jarcoda.
Vicky Pon Dis: A well-known producer behind many hits and with the recording label Simba Sound Records
Anatii: Anathi Bhongo Mnyango, known professionally as Anatii, is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
Not only has Don Jazzy championed the astronomical accomplishments of these Nigerian musicians, but was hired by top Grammy Award American musician, Kanye West to produce a few of his music hits. Don Jazzy also worked with Jay Z, Beyonce, multiple American award-winning musicians. He has freely given to several orphanage homes, non-governmental establishments just to help the needy and less priviledge in the society as a humanitarian philanthropist.
This 41-year-old Nigerian record producer and singer founded Mavin Records label in 2012, where he signed artists including D’Prince, Rema, and Ayra Starr. Prior, he co-founded Mo’ Hits Records with D’banj in 2004, and was an in-house producer for American rapper Kanye West’s GOOD Music from 2011 to 2013.
A native of Umuahia, Abia State, Don Jazzy is the son of Collins Enebeli Ajereh and Mrs Ajereh. His father is from Isoko in Delta State, while the mother is an Igbo princess from Abia State.
Ajereh’s family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos State, where Don Jazzy was raised. He was educated at the co-educational high school, Federal Government College Lagos.
At an early age of 12, Don Jazzy found an interest in music, where he began to play the bass guitar and piano. He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments. To gain more academic knowledge and plan gradually for the future, he enrolled in business management and studied at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state.
In 2000, Jazzy’s uncle invited him to play the drums for a local church in London. That was his first visit to London. Don Jazzy gained employment at McDonald’s as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek, JJC Skillz, Kas, Jesse Jagz, The 419 Squad and D’Banj.
Mo’ Hits records and GOOD music:
In 2004, Don Jazzy collaborated with D’Banj to form Mo’ Hits Records. In the next two years after then, Don Jazzy produced the albums ‘No Long Thing’ and ‘Rundown/Funk You Up’. Around this time, Don Jazzy developed a recognizable introduction, “It’s Don Jazzy Again!”.
In 2008, Don Jazzy was credited in the production of The Entertainer by D’Banj. He also contributed to the production of Wande Coal’s ‘Mushin 2 MoHits’, an album that was described as one of the best albums to ever come out of Nigeria.
In 2011, Don Jazzy was employed by Kanye West as a producer at ‘Very Good Beatz’. Don Jazzy worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West on the production of ‘Lift Off’, featuring Beyoncé on the album ‘Watch The Throne’ which was released on 8 August 2011. In March 2012, Don Jazzy and D’Banj confirmed their breakup citing artistic differences.
Mavin Records:
On 7 May 2012, Don Jazzy announced a new record label, Mavin Records. He said, “I see Mavin Records being the power house of music in Africa in the shortest possible time.”
On 8 May 2012, he released an album featuring the artists signed to his label. The songs on the album included: “Amarachi”, “Forever”, “Oma Ga”, “Take Banana and Chocolate”, “YOLO” and the anthem “I’m a MAVIN”. Mavin records signed the vocalist, Tiwa Savage. Don Jazzy built a social network platform called “Marvin League” to complement and market his label.
On 5 November 2013, Ajereh had conflict with an artist, Wande Coal who left the label two days later.
In September 2014, Ajereh produced a Nigerian social activist song with Reekado Banks and Di’Ja called “Arise”.
After Reekado Banks departure from the Mavin Records label, Don Jazzy said he is still part of the family and wished him nothing but success in his career as he thanked him for the time spent with Mavin Records.
In 2019, he signed Rema and later went on in 2020 to sign Ayra Starr into Mavins Record Label. In 2021, he announced a new artist, Magixx.
Film Appearance:
In 2012, Don Jazzy appeared in Moses Inwang’s movie titled ‘The Last 3 Digits in Nollywood’. Inwang also cast Ali Baba, A.Y., Nonso Diobi and Dr SID. in April 2023, Don Jazzy joined the cast of ‘Introducing The Kujus’ for its sequel.
Awards:
*Nigerian Music Awards (2006)-Producer of the Year.
*Nigerian Entertainment Awards (2007)-Music Producer of the Year.
*The Headies 2011-Producer of the Year for Over The Moon, Mr Endowed and Pop Something
*The Headies 2014-Producer of the Year for Dorobucci
*City People Entertainment Award (2015)-special recognition award.
*The Beatz Award TM (2019)-New Discovery Producer
Persoal Life:
Don Jazzy married Michelle Jackson in 2003, claimed they both had issues as a result of his ambitious nature and subsequently divorced about two years after they wed.
However, he has no intention of marrying again soon because he fears his love and dedication to music will hurt someone’s feelings again.
Ajereh has a younger brother, D’Prince.
In July 2022, he announced the death of his mother via his Instagram page.
In what will come across as a really heart-breaking development, the legendary Nigerian Icon, Don Jazzy and his brother, D’Prince, a popular Nigerian singer lost their mother to cancer.
Membership of Cherubim and Seraphim Church:
Don Jazzy reportedly confirmed he is still a committed member of the white garment church called ‘Cherubim and Seraphim’. The respected music producer was honoured by the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim & Seraphim church worldwide and later, pictures of his childhood cladded in the church’s garment hit the internet.
Before now, not many knew the multiple award-winning beat maker was a member of the church and this was why many were surprised. A surprised fan of Don Jazzy asked him, ‘So you have been attending Cele (a name commonly used for white garment churches in Nigeria)? and the Mavin boss responded: “and then? I still attend the church till now. But get it right, it’s Cherubim & Seraphim (not Cele)”.
*MERCY CHINWO:
Mercy Nnenda Chinwo now known as Mercy Chinwo-Blessed was born on the 5th of September 1991, in Rivers State, southern Nigeria. Mercy Chinwo gained recognition through her participation in the Nigerian music talent show, “Nigerian Idol.”
She was a contestant on the second season of the show in 2012 and emerged as the winner, which significantly boosted her career in the music industry. Her victory on Nigerian Idol provided a platform for her to launch her music career, particularly in the gospel music genre.
Several years after, she was signed to EeZee Conceptz in 2017 where she made releases of several successful gospel songs and albums, becoming a prominent figure in the Nigerian gospel music scene. She got her first school leaving certificate at the Goodwill International School and her secondary school education at Paradise International School.
She is an alumna of the International Business Management Institute (IBMI) where she bagged a degree in Human Resources Management. She started singing at age 6 in her church’s children’s choir.
Mercy is a Gospel Music Minister. She released her first single, “Testimony” in 2015, and “Igwe”. Two years later, she was signed to a gospel record label named EeZee Conceptz led by EeZee Tee.
Chinwo’s single ‘Excess Love’ was released in the year 2018. Since breaking into the gospel scene, she has been featured on a number of gospel music projects, working with the likes of JJ Hairson, Nathaniel Bassey, Chioma Jesus, Banky W, Joe Praize, Samsong, Moses Bliss, Oluwadunsin Oyekan, Judikay, Preye Odede and a host of others.
In 2023, she alongside her husband began the MercyisBlessed Foundation, an NGO focused on donations to the less privileged as well as youth development.
She got married in the year 2022 on the 13th of August in Port Harcourt to Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa; they currently live in Lagos, Nigeria. They had their first child together in the year 2023
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