By Olumide Iyanda
Michael Collins Ajereh could not have reacted better to the end of a business era with his friend and partner of many years, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo than he did last week with the launch of his new Mavin Records. It was sad to see what seems like a partnership made in heaven between the young men we easily identify as Don Jazzy and D’banj go sour, but, hey, life must go on. And the former was the first to give us concrete proof that he had indeed moved on, with a new record label and an album of brand new music.
Having known and interacted with both men in the past, I didn’t expect Don Jazzy to launch a verbal attack on his erstwhile partner in the media to justify his side of the breakup story. Tried as hard as many journalists did, the young man refused to grant any interview or leak emails of what he did right or wrong in the happy days if Mo’Hits. I remember a younger colleague telling me Mr Ajereh’s refusal to open a can of worm like his friend did was not good for the media who needed something to feast on to serve a delicious meal of exclusives, garnished with the right ingredients like scandals and backstabbing.
While D’banj spoke freely about his role, position, influence and material contribution to Mo’hits on platforms like Ebony Magazine, Sahara Reporters, BET and Nigerian Entertainment Today, Don Jazzy was locked up in the studio brewing a collection of songs that intoxicate. Save for occasional tweets to announce the end of an era and to ask people to respect his right to silence, the young man’s lips remained largely shut. He simply refused to speak about the Bentley reportedly given to him, the profit sharing policy in Mo’Hits, delay in release dates of albums, how the deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music left a bad taste in some people’s mouth, his deal with Samsung in South Africa or his movement out of the apartment he once shared with D’banj.
When he finally decided to speak, it was with an album that practically knocked the air out of people’s stomach. Very few people saw it coming. The man of little words spoke volumes with the arrival of Mavin Records and release of an album Solar Plexus.
Mavin rose from the ashes of what used to be Mo’Hits Records. From latter came Wande Coal, Dr SID and D’Prince who, along with D’banj, were members of the collective once known as Mo’Hits All-stars. With D’banj and his brother-switch out of the mix, Don Jazzy now has a not-so-new posse of tested hands working on his conveyor belt of hit music. Wande Coal and Dr Sid already have a hit album to their names in the form of Mushin 2 Mo’Hits (2008) and Turning Point (2010) respectively. D’Prince may not have a full album yet but he has long issued a statement of intent with songs like ‘Omoba’ and ‘Give it to me’. If that is not good enough, there is a new entrant who goes by the name Tiwa Savage. Her stagecraft and sensual voice makes her a steal.
Speaking in his usual measured style on the eve of release of Solar Plexus Don Jazzy confessed that ‘I know that there are questions unanswered; mysteries unsolved and wounds to heal’, but declared ‘ I would really appreciate if we allow time to heal them up for us instead of digging them up again’.
He also told his fans ‘I see Marvin Records being the power house of music in Africa in the shortest possible time. I know Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with a lot of hard work, a good and God-fearing team, our friends and fans, TV houses, radio stations, press, bloggers and most of all with God on our side, there is nothing we cannot achieve. It is going to be a very exciting journey fro here. I can’t wait to show you guys what we have planned for you all. We have some other Marvin that are not activated yet and still under construction but I’m positive you are going to love. Please open up your heart, lend us your ears and support us always and let’s continue to entertain you’.
And they did set out to entertain on Solar Plexus starting with s song titled ‘I’m Marvin’ featuring all four artistes on the new label. That is the only track presumably done by all of them. Individually, Tiwa Savage has ‘Omo ga’ to her name. Wande Coal is credited with ‘See me ri’, ‘Forever’, and ‘Pretty girls’, Dr SID comes with ‘YOLO’, ‘CPR’ and ‘Chocolate’ while D’Prince rounds off with ‘Take Banana’, ‘Why you over there’ and ‘Amarachi’. Two things are markedly different from Mo’Hits All-stars Curriculum Vitae (CV) of 2007- there are no collaborations and Mr Entertainer (D’banj) is conspicuously missing.
Even the most unsparing critic cannot deny the energy and artistry D’banj brings to music. He was the biggest name on Mo’hits roaster. Don Jazzy would not have been the successful producer he is today if he had not met with the Koko Master in the JJC and 419 Squad back in the UK some eight years ago, and being at the right place at the right time has done a lot for their careers. There is no greater proof than at the 2004 Nigerian Independent Concert in London. The two had been abandoned backstage because of an issue with the 419 squad. With Eedris Abdulkareem who was the advertised star act not moving the crowd that night, Ayo Shonaiya and DJ Abass, the two organisers were persuaded to give D’banj and Kween Onakala some time on stage. Don Jazzy stayed back in the DJ booth because he was too shy to go on stage. With his harmonica, infectious lyrics and rhythmic movement, D’banj practically killed the show with songs like ‘Mobolowowon’, ‘Ask me’ and ‘Tongolo’, all produced by Don Jazzy. The two have not looked back since then.
Moving to Nigeria, they expanded their coast, adding more members to Mo’Hits and releasing hit upon hit. They must have lost count of their numerous honours and award home and abroad. Success brought fame, money and adoring fans. It also brought a certain Kanye West.
After signing a deal with the latter’s G.O.O.D Music, D’banj tweeted on his 31st birthday on June 9, 2011, ‘Just like yesterday, myself and my brother did Tongolo. 7 years later, Mo’Hits signs with GOOD Music. Best birthday gift ever. God thank you’.
G.O.O.D Music was later turned bad for their relationship. I shall leave it at that for now. Something however tells me that all that glitters around Kanye West-including regular rendezvous with Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, Beyonce and a bevy of other bootylicious young women – is not gold.
Thankfully, both men are moving on with their lives. As fans are either downloading or buying Solar plexus in traffic, D’banj is also enjoying the success of his Don Jazzy-produced ‘Oliver Twist’ which made it to the top ten on iTunes chart in the UK last week. I am not yet sure how Kanye West can take D’banj world-wide, but I expect his appearance in his videos and concert to make some impact in the UK where there is more tolerance for African pop music.
Being an artiste and a producer himself, Kanye West probably knows who he needs more when he signed the deal with D’banj and Don Jazzy. And in this game called showbiz, the first question everybody asks is what is in it for me.
A good producer can make a good artiste just as a good artiste can make a good producer. In the intro of his 1993, ‘Doggy Dogg World’, American rapper, Snoop Dogg made reference to one of the biggest soul and R&B band in music history when he said, ‘You without me is like Harolod Melvin without the blue Notes, you will never go platinum!’
Ask anybody with a fair knowledge of American music of the 60’s to the 80’s and they would probably tell you how Harold Melvin led the band that produced classics like ‘If you don’t know me by no’, ‘I miss you’, ‘The love I lost’ and ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’. The most popular member of that band was not the leader but a man known as Teddy Pendergrass. With TP on the vocals, the band enjoyed their most glorious years. Creative and business difference later saw Teddy leaving, but the group held on. Others came and left but Harold held on to the group because he knew he would never go platinum without it. Teddy too had a successful career as a solo artiste even with an accident that left him on a wheel chair for the rest of his life.
Snoop had someone close to Don Jazzy when he started out early in the 90’s. That person was Dr Dre who featured him in the 1992 ‘Deep Cover’ released as soundtracks to the film of the same title. His stellar performance in that song and on Dre’s ‘Chronic’ album paved the way for Snoop’s ‘Doggystyle’ which was described as the most anticipated rap album of that era. Disagreement between Dre and CEO of Deathrow Records, Suge Knight, saw the former leaving the group. Snoop stayed back but his second album, the Doggfather did not come anywhere new the first. His sojourn with other producers has not produced the same magic as Dre’s.
It is the same story in Nigeria with producer Laolu Akins and artistes like Shina Peters, Abass Akande Obesere, Mike Okri, Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Adewale Ayuba, Funmi Aragbaye and Queen Salawa Abeni or ID Cabasa and 9ice. The artistes may find success with other people but they lose something they have with a certain producer who has a special connection with them.
Don Jazzy had that connection with D’banj. I do not see him loosing it now. It is D’banj I am worried about. And the bit I heard of the song ‘Go down’ off his coming album during the week gives me cause for worry.
* Iyanda is the editor of Saturday Independent
13 comments
Be positive and wish D’banj well.as much as it hurts to see them apart u need not get emotional about it.in many ways than one, your write-up seems biased. Don jazzy wasn’t silent all the time, he also released statements concerning the break up…Tuface left his group/Nelson brown and he was better off for it…jay-z broke up with Jaz-O, and he’s climbed to the top ever since…there are countless examples of such relationships that’s severed and they either come out good or otherwise.it’s left to individuals to put in more work and try to prove everyone wrong while remaining focus. We all need to move on and let Don jazzy/D’banj be already.
Mighty!
It’s easy to seperate the ‘men’ journalist from the ‘boys’ journalist. NET, take note.
I love the two articles I read here today; this and Mayor Akinpelu’s. Very matured minds.
Probably the most analytical write-up among the ‘Dbanj/Don jazzy’ issue. I was actually expecting something different with the ‘Opinion:’ included but its cool. Nice
You surely ‘killed’ this write-up with the reference to Dr. Dre. Nice one Iyanda. As far as I’m concerned Don Jazzy is Nigerian’s answer to U.S’s Dre, see what he did to the career of an oyinbo rapper like Eminem too. Anyway, like you, I fear for D’banj too.
‘Dis is emotional! Let’s leave every thing for God, I believe th future holds somfin for both.
Nice write up but Fatima, do you have any beef against this site? U will always attack there write up even when they have said something good. If u don’t trust dem, u won’t come to this site again! TAKE NOTE!
Attack and critique are two different things, Chief Observer!
I say it as I see it, simple. Some of their writers need grooming, so what?
Fatimah, if u were such a fantastic writer, y just sit back and rubbish ppls work. U are no where near a writer so shut up and read in between lines
Breaking up and going solo btw music group or record labels as witnessed in nigeria Mo’hit is part of entertainment game al over d world.every music lover should always expect that to happen in order not to be disappointed when its finaly happen..wit d new sign of Davido by dbanj an launchin of marvin record don jazzy,show us that both guy breakup for good..no need 2 feel 4 dbanj or don jazzy…let al support them…
Very sensible comment.
Mr writer,ur analysis is fair enuf!However,let me quickly point out to u that Don j was not silent one bit.He spoke first and answered quite a number of questions plus many thanks to the media who also helped in exaggerating the issue to a great extent thereby putting D ‘banj who apparently is the more outspoken one,in the negative views of the public.Let me remind u that D ‘banj kept quiet for so long a time and did not open his mouth to speak until the end of April which was over 7wks after the announcement of their break up on the 5th of March.The first thing we got to hear or read frm D’banj was the leaked email which ofcourse,indicted both of them and not D’banj alone.The first and only time D’banj has spoken since then was the only interview granted by Mr Ayeni frm this site.So,i don’t understand wot ur talking abt here.Did he say anything wrong during his BET interview conducted last yr April of which he and Don J were still very much intact?Pls get ur facts right before publishing any article even tho’ i must agree some of ur points were right.In conclusion,u need not worry abt D’banj one bit.Don J is not indispensible and wld never be.There are so many producers and with the level of D’banj right now,he can command the best producer by God’s grace if u kno wot i mean.Basically,i mean that its easy for him to be opportuned to getting another fantastic producer.I appreciate the fact that even u the writer acknowledges the fact that they both made each other and that both were insignificant whilst at JJC as opposed to wot D’banj’s haters who have said in the past that D’banj was the only insignificant one there,forgetting that both of them were insignificant and as God wld av it,both D’banj and Don J have today become extremely SIGNIFICANT and we can only wish more power to their elbows….Simples!!!
@Mr writer,pls before u write or publish anything,pls make sure u find out facts and more importantly,read from far and wide across internet et al before u conclude hurriedly!Wot do u mean by D’banj was talking freely whilst Don J was busy making songs?That’s unacceptable.Before their split this March,there has never been any single interview in which D’banj did not praise Don J.He walways praised him and always pledged his loyalty in all ramifications despite the fact that any right thinking person knows that they both made each other immensely.Their relationship was not a one sided one neither was it parasitic.We all kno their combination was off the hook.Furhter more,the only interview ever in which D’banj did not shower his usual accolades on Don j was during his Ebony interview which was conducted at the very end of Feb this yr jus before the announcement of their split in March,this same year.That was intentional by D’banj and do u kno y?B ‘cos he was hurt.Don J refused to support the Live Nation(biggest entertainment company according to sources) tour of D’banj to New York even tho’ the show was still an outright success,Don J had spoken ill of D’banj just before the show to ppl who cared to listen and even insisted that he was not gonna go for the show.With pressure frm some of the same ppl he rubbished D’banj to,he was forced to go and dint get to New York until the very day of the event and the truth is with or without Don J,the show wld still av been a tremendous success ‘cos we all kno that when it comes to stage performance,D’banj undoubtedly is second to none!Having said that,D’banj got to kno abt all these on the day the show was gonna take place.After the show and b’cos it was totally a success,he was featured in New York times and in Ebony magazine.Thats the exact reason D’banj stated to the whole world that day and for the 1st time that ‘he has his own label’…Ofcourse,he wasn’t lying ‘cos a co-owner is jus the same as an owner literally.During that same interview,he chose not to give Don j the usual praises and opted not to even mention his name.Wld u blame him for that?Wldn’t we do worse if we were in his shoes at that point in time?I must rem to add that they had already been having slight issues before the Newyork show but after that incident,things got more aggravated after that show.The issue of the Bentley only came up when he responded to Don J’s mail where Don J stated that he was not gonna release some catalogues and so on plus claiming outrightly that D’banj had to be responsible for any debt by Mo’hits.All these were not exactly stated in a very cool manner by Don J.D’banj’s response was..’If Don J was confused and if he had forgotten that they bth owned the company 50/50 plus if Don j wanted him to clear all the so called invisible debts,then he can start by returning the Bentley which ofcourse wld be used to settle the so called debts D’banj knew nothing abt.So pls,lets be real and be very analytical at the same time.D’banj equally has his own faults but no one shld try making Don j look like a saint or an indispensible person.I love both of them sooo greatly and by the very special Grace of God,they wld even do better without each other.I hp ppl who read my comments are very reasonable as i don’t expect any verbal attacks.Very unnecessary b’cos both D’banj and Don J have moved on and we can only wish both of them more success instead of crediting one to discredit the other!I was opportuned to be reliably informed abt some of their issues.I felt really bad to hear abt some of their issues but i kno God knows best.They both wld be okay(Amen).Much Love….
Good one biggie,man is born to be rich with his faculties,intelligence is one,understanding is another.Just love the way you juxtapose the issue,the comment really expitiate the motive behind it all.Destiny will surely take is role and let wait and see,wish them both success in their dealings……