By Osagie Alonge
In the last few weeks, the world has seen the end of an era – the Mo’Hits era, but not without a full dose of drama – more drama than in those recycled South-American soap operas.
Drama backed with claims, counter claims, responses, counter responses, exclusive interviews, exposing facts and leaked E-mails. And if you think the drama is over, you are hereby advised to grab a bowl of popcorn, snuggle up in your couch and keep watching, because from the looks of it, this isn’t ending soon.
If you’ve followed the Mo’Hits brouhaha – a la the ‘D’banj VS Don Jazzy messy fight’, you’ve either been entertained, amused or downright irritated. Nevertheless, the drama continues with both parties still not letting their guards down…
It’s been the same old story for most persons with the title ‘Don’ in the mafia movies – unparalleled rise to success, years of reign and respect but then an ultimate crash. Name it – Godfather, Goodfellas, Scarface, Casino, Frank Lucas….it’s all the same. Is this the same fate of our beloved Don Jazzy?
Don Jazzy was hardly the fan favourite back then; sure, he was respected, but he wasn’t the one the fans clung to. He barely spoke, letting D’banj do all the talking (and gesticulating). Don Jazzy grew the persona of a real mafia don – you know, like the ones in Sicily that head the cartel, always feared and respected, known to bless careers with hits (songs) upon hits.
But when more and more money rolled in, D’banj somewhat alienated himself from the fans and media, leaving the ‘Don’ to take care of the multitude of fans. The once ‘shy guy’ became very vocal on micro-blogging site Twitter, often giving out airtime recharge cards, iPads and more gifts, even organizing an online music competition which trended on social networks for weeks.
Don Jazzy engaged the fans, positioned himself as an accessible celeb, and a media darling. He even went as far as granting radio and TV interviews, responding to E-mails, covering magazines and delivering acceptance speeches at award shows. Don Jazzy became more accessible; the one everybody could call on and be assured of prompt response. When the heat came upon both men during the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ period, Don Jazzy once again cried out to his people, dissociating himself from D’banj, who received brutal tongue lashings from Nigerians home and abroad for seemingly evading the issue.
But last week, the Don’s credibility was tested; his mystique torn apart, when D’banj, in an elaborate interview with NET, accused his former label partner of betraying him, leaving many of the producer’s loyal fans startled, and perhaps revising where they should stand in the whole matter.
‘He said to me in July last year ‘Let’s scatter Mohits. He told me there are two captains – two captains cannot be in a ship. I was like ‘that’s not possible, this is a marriage‘, D’banj said in the interview, among other revealing things.
If it’s anything to go by, in just a few days, the article received over 70,000 views on NET’s website, with over 380 comments – most of them in support of D’banj. A surprising twist of events, one might say…
‘I have lost all the respect I had for Don Jazzy. Just because you are a good producer doesn’t make you better than D’banj! D’banj fan for life!!!!!!!‘, Shade commented.
‘Following your destiny is not the main thing, but are you sure you are following it in the right path? D’banj, beware of those guys‘, Ifedayo also commented.
‘This was a well conducted interview, honestly thumbs up to the reporter. D’banj God bless you hustle, Don Jazzy…shame on you! I don’t even need to hear any sides again, I could feel the honesty in this interview’, another comment read.
Thousands of fans across different blogs and social media are now praying for D’banj, hailing him as a saviour of sorts for the local music industry. Many are still asking valid questions about the break up; and of course, there are loads of Don Jazzy loyalists who remain steadfast.
So are D’banj’s fans back with him because the entertainer broke down his side of the story by opening up on the matter? Or is it because he’s gaining buzz in the UK and he seems to be flying the African flag proud, while Don Jazzy seems to be on a never-ending hiatus?
The questions are endless. Media analysts have exhausted their theories and everyone is waiting with bated breath to see how the saga will unfold.
A few days after the interview, former friend and music partner Abdul Rasheed Bello better known as JJC (Skillz) chastised D’banj after the latter stated that JJC cheated Don Jazzy. It got all messy again as JJC who sheltered the likes of Jazzy, D’banj, Kween and the 419 Squad under his Backbone Music label, opened another can of worms, claiming that the Koko Master (whom he described as the group’s jester) never really wrote his songs, and at a point, was wanted by the UK Police for credit card theft.
While JJC felt bitter and hurt, spilling the beans to Nigezie in a video interview, little did he know that the whole drama would end up on one of the US biggest hip-hop websites Allhiphop.com. The website soon published a flimsy article titled ‘G.O.O.D Music Artists D’banj and Don Jazzy At Odds With Each Other; D’banj Accused Of Credit Card Fraud!‘. More drama…
Ever since the famous interview, Jazzy has kept mute, refusing to grant interviews, and tweeting only thrice since then. But now the silence has been broken, albeit briefly, and the Don has spoken…
In a very short but exclusive interview via Blackberry Messenger on April 22, Don Jazzy answers some very important questions and leaves many unanswered.
Did you leak the Mo’hits email?
No
Did you ask D’banj that you want to ‘scatter’ Mo’hits?
No
Have you signed any document relinquishing your shares in Koko holding, and giving D’banj his catalogue?
No
When was the last time you saw D’banj?
Not quite long
Will you still produce music for him, if he asks or not?
Yea
Why did you have to get a new apartment?
‘Pass’
Was D’banj ever told about the concluding part of the Samsung deal?
Why all these questions?
Bros, it’s a tough interview but it’s what our readers (and your fans) want to know.
Pass
Okay. Have you been producing music during the last few months? And who have you been working with in the studio?
‘Pass’
Dr SID and Wande Coal have continually shown their love and bond for you over everyone else; how do you feel about their respect for you?
I respect them also cos they are like my brothers
Will you start a fresh label in the nearest future or stick with the name Mo’Hits?
Pass
The producer vehemently refused to have a sit down with us, despite repeated requests (his response to an interview request via email: ‘I’m so sorry but I am definitely not open for interviews for now. Doubt I would be ready for one anytime soon too. Pls I would appreciate if you can understand..).
Those close to him say he’s ‘not really interested in saying anything’. One associate told us last week that the producer has been busy working, and may be blessing fans with new songs soon.
But the industry is getting tired of the drama. Not only tired – many are hoping the estranged friends (and the camps around them) will actually settle their differences and come back together.
Long-time D’Banj and Don Jazzy associate Weird MC‘s submission captures it all : ‘I still have hope that they will kiss and make up. I strongly feel that way‘, she told us in an interview last Wednesday.
It is possible.
27 comments
This drama has been milked enough. Can we please move on?
giving don jazzy unneccesary props.. dude be balanced wif ur stories
Adi nu ma soro ni, a mo ti e ni ton she, says a yoruba adage
if he is adamant to speak-up or grant interview let leave him him
Mo’hits had acheived a lot.
I would blame no one over the messy breakup because what have a beginning MUST have a end..
Mo’hits have acheived a lot.
I would blame no one for the breakup because what have a beginning MUST have an end.
the don is the don..he knows wat he is up to let him be they will soon blow the screem wit new release .i have a close eye on them.dbang should continue his work n also with the rest of the crew.they are the best for now they wont and will never go part ways.love them all..
I beg, na wetin? Give us other entertainment stories. Abi na only ds ppl dey? Ppl wey be say den don chop money die. The NET, I beg lets move on. 1Luv!
this is a sham of a report, very biased and judgemental. even if you want to take sides, there should be a more subtle way of going about it, unlike what you have done with this piece. this shouldn’t have made news at all, it belongs to the trash bin.
O.M.G he he he he after reading , i screwd up again and it says
By : Osagie Alonge
And i was like wtf ? My best Reporter actualy compiled this? Arrgh Osagie no fal my hand again o, this is no news, the tittle was just to get our attention , abeg Osagie i respect u wela buh today is the ironicaly the best report by NET , and am sad its frm the boss himself.
The other day the Interview with 2face. He said when u askd him if he’s threatend by the likes of Wizkid and Davido , he replied “THERE’S NO COMPETITION” but u titld it “I HAVE NO COMPETITION” making 2face loose some fans, cus i saw talkofnaija posted it and some ignorant pipl who only read the headline startd insulting 2baba , cus the title made him a cocky sum1
Osagie u are the best reporter in E-news. So pls dnt kil it wit lil mistakes. Thanks UC ART EKWUEME
Don jazzy or don trashy….imagine his respons on intaviw,notin but litters to be thrown into d trash bin………’no news at al.
Don Jazzy simply feels threatened by Dbanj’s ever growing influence. Snoop rather worked with dbanj and Jazzy,same with Kanye. Its ok to get jealous,but like dbanj said,”its a marriage,why get jealous of ur other”,its stupid,wicked and short sighted. Jazzy has to grow up cos u don’t sell beats,but songs and dbanj writes the songs.
This people knows what de are doing. Guys should stop firing the reporter its not an easy job
My guy osagie no mind dis jobless pple continue ur good work. Nothing do you my real guy I dey hail oooo.
Its well known that the two are never one. But then be it what ever. The DON remains banjs mentor. He should show some respect to him. Don’t cut the hand that feeds you. Still love DON JAZZY. IDJA
ppl speak ur mnd and let d rest be,they said d’banj is in a secret colt of west,who cares 2 knw abt dat.u keep blamin d don.let me tell u guys,he just kept quit just 2 take d blame,tall 2much lyk d’banj is being coverin up ur evil act,my last wrd is d’banj fans as u knw dis 1 u no knw d other o,dnt jugde cos u dnt knw any thing.
D bst producer nd d bst entrtainer.i blv they ar only testn d waters 2 c ppls rspns
Who would we blive lk dis cos dis drama s goin crazy…i did understand u pple como stop dat rubish nd back 2 ur busines guy
Plz stop d hating on don jazzy he is showing maturity by nt saying anything,hw sure r u dat d’banj said d truth don jazzy carry on still love u
VERY FUNNY PPLE, COMMENTING HERE AND MOST BLAMIN DON JAZZY, BUT I WILL ASK SOME QUESTIONS, IS DON AND D BANJ BORN TOGETHER, EVEN TWINS THAT WERE BORN ON SAME DAY DONT LIVE TOGETHER FOR LONGER…
THEY BOTH HAVE DIFFERENT ABMTION.
WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS THESE TWO DUDE ARE MADE AND MOST ARE JUST HATING ONE FOR ANOTHER…
Don Jazzy will never talk again. He has realised his folly albeit too late. He caued this brouhaha. He ws the first to confirm the story on the internet via twitter. If he had behaved this way the first time, the feud would have fizzled out. Remember 9ice and cabasa? I honestly wait to see what he can do with Mohits without Dbanj…
The brand Don Jazzy was created by Dbanj. Its obvious…so people should just stop associating the word DON with Don jazzy as if he’s one. A Don that cannot make money with a strong brand like Don Jazzy. A Don who is waiting to be spoon fed without lifting a finger? Please spare me all that DON shit.
Where do you belong? it seems you forgot to understand that DON JAZZY signs D’BANJ into the label. If he is/was waiting for somebody to spoon feed him we wouldn’t have had MO’HITS today.
Take note!
Sometimes I wonder what people gain by talking about others. Whether D’Banj and Don Jazzy stay together or not shouldn’t be anyone’s headache. They never called anyone’s attention when they decided to stick together, so now that the binding glue has lost it’s strenght, everyone should only watch them. They are matured men and should be able to take care of themselves. Tel’ dem PA say so. PUM!
That silence by the DON is the best because if he says anything they would report another besides he is old enough to have some secretes. He is no more a kid lets leave them alone so that they can face their challenges in peace.
i guess dbanj is just being kinda greedy for disolving d group….
Don Jazzy is as mature as can be by not responding to emails and interviews and not giving comments. as much as fans want to know whats going on, he cannot just open his mouth anyhow. he’s doing the right thing and moving-on with his life. I personally think this is just a publicity stunt and they’ll make-up soon, but if i’m wrong,then i’ll take Jazzy’s side. D’Banj had no right to say those things about Jazzy. no matter what happened,there are certain things u give to and keep from the public..Jazzy baba,Twale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!