‘God is not done with me yet’ -DON JAZZY

Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982, Umuahia, Abia State), known as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer, singer-songwriter and musician. He has been the chief executive officer of Mo' Hits Records and is the current chief executive officer of Mavin Records.^[1] Ajereh has also produced tracks for Dr SID, Wande Coal, Emeka Infiniti, D'Prince, Darey, Naeto C, Olakunle Excel et Zanga, Sauce Kid, Ikechukwu and Tiwa Savage.

Personal life and education

Ajereh was born in Umuahia. His family moved to Ajegunle, Lagos where Ajereh was raised. He was educated at the co-educational high school, Federal Government College Lagos. Ajereh found an interest in music early in life and at age 12, began to play the bass guitar. He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments. Ajareh enrolled in business management studies at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state.

In 2000, Ajereh visited London. His uncle had invited him to play the drums for the local church.^[2] In London, Ajereh gained employment at McDonalds and as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek, JJC, Kas, The 419 Squad and D'Banj. Ajereh learnt producing skills from Emeka Infiniti at O-Town record company.

Ajereh uses Twitter to interact with his followers. He has an appreciation of African fabrics and male Indian gowns and other individualistic fashions.^[3]

Career

Mo' Hits records and GOOD music

In 2004, Ajereh collaborated with D'Banj to found Mo' Hits Records. In the next two years, Ajereh produced the albums No Long Thing and Rundown/Funk You Up. A third album, Curriculum Vitae, had also been started. Around this time, Ajereh developed a recognisable introduction, "It's Don Jazzy Again!"

In 2008, Ajereh 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.^[4]

Although Ajereh did not take credit as a singer, he performed background vocals for artists he produced. These performances include vocals for D'Banj, Sauce Kid, Dr SID, Ikechukwu, Kween, D'Prince, Jay-Z. Ajereh provided vocal performance for Kanye West's song Lift Off with Beyoncé on the Watch The Throne album.

In 2011, Ajereh was employed by Kanye West as a producer at GOOD Music. Kanye West made a surprise appearance at the Koko Concert in London. He showed support to D'Banj by giving him his chain. Ajereh 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 abandoned their partnership citing artistic differences.^[5]

SOURCE;From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia