By Osagie Alonge and Joseph Akahome
After nine years of collaborating and entertaining their fans worldwide, Mo’Hits bosses Michael Collins aka Don Jazzy and Dapo ‘D’banj‘ Oyebanjo may soon be ending their hitherto ‘untouchable’ partnership.
Multiple sources say, following protracted disagreements, both parties may have reached a mutual agreement on ending their business partnership, although they haven’t come out to say anything to the public.
Reports, including that of Nigerian daily, The Vanguard, say Don Jazzy and D’banj’s relationship has gone terribly sour, with possibility of the acclaimed producer launching another label, which will see him have full authority and sole ownership. Don Jazzy currently co-owns Mo’Hits with D’banj. The pair formed the label in London after working out of JJC’s Backbone Music in 2004.
A barrage of unanswered questions from fans have long been flocking the enigmatic producer’s page on popular micro-blogging site Twitter, but in stark contrast to his usual responsiveness, Don Jazzy has been quiet. He hasn’t tweeted since the story came to light.
Before now, the famous duo were never seen anywhere without each other, but at the time of writing this report, Don Jazzy is in Nigeria without his hitherto ever present pal D’banj, who is promoting his brand in America while he works on his forthcoming fourth album ‘Mr Endowed’.
On the other hand, we’re told the Mo’hits producer has temporarily moved into Dr. SID‘s 1004 Victoria Island apartment, where Wande Coal also resides, having deserted the multi-million Naira Lekki mansion he moved into with D’Banj in early 2011.
Insiders say this new development, if not arrested before things totally crumble, could spell the end of what’s probably the biggest music powerhouse and label ever seen in Nigeria.
GENESIS
The now evident cracks became obvious around the time the producer who is also the President and CEO of Mo’Hits, bagged the Kanye West G.O.O.D Music deal which also influenced a $3m JV deal, with D’Banj as key beneficiary. The Kanye project catapulted both stars to a whole new pedestal in their careers, where they now rubbed shoulders with the biggest names in the international music scene. But the problems had emanated before then.
From then on, insiders say ‘D’banj’s ego, which was already causing tension within the label, only got bigger and harder to check’. Sources claim this new feeling of invincibility on the singer’s part began to make him question his continued association with his long-time friend and collaborator, who didn’t seem to be ‘representing’ on this new found wavelength.
The recent Occupy Nigeria protest also saw the acts take separate sides – while D’banj did little to save himself from accusations of collecting money from Goodluck Jonathan, Don Jazzy readily denounced the government and identifed with the people; saying, in what would become a famous tweet, that he ‘regrets voting for Goodluck Jonathan’
FALLOUT
It appears D’banj, whose Don Jazzy produced 2005 ‘No Long Thing‘ album instantly brought him to the limelight, is uncomfortable with the continued delay in the release of his fourth studio album ‘Mr Endowed‘, which was initially supposed to be released late 2011.
Trusted sources allege that D’banj no longer remits payments from any shows he attends into the label’s general account. As one source puts it ‘he feels Don Jazzy isn’t putting the right kind of energy into the business right now’.
A Daily Times report claims D’banj is now represented by the label’s A&R – Oluseun ‘Bankulli’ Abisagboola while the other Mo’Hits acts, including Don Jazzy, are still being represented by long-time manager Sunday Are. All efforts to reach Bankulli proved abortive, and while Mr. Are picked up our phone calls, he didn’t answer our inquiries, neither did he reply our text messages asking the same questions. Don Jazzy had not responded to our emails as at the time of going to press.
CONSEQUENCES
As already reported, Don Jazzy has now chosen to stay with other artistes on his label, specifically putting up with Dr. Sid at the moment, leaving the Lekki Mansion deserted.
D’Banj, on the other hand, has been seen in the United States, and Paris recently, living it up with music heavyweights like Diddy, Swizz Beatz, Common and other stars who came to support his new boss, Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week. Those close to him also say he’s bought himself a home in Los Angeles where he now hopes to reside fully. He’s also reportedly building himself a new team – made up of trusted associates like Bankuli and a former Mtech boss who’s heading his business team.
One source told us: ‘The camp has definitely split up – D’banj and younger brother K Switch are shuttling to and fro the US and UK, while Dr SID (who’s had repeated spats with D’Banj in the past) and D’Prince have stuck with Don Jazzy. ‘Dr. SID feels indebted to Jazzy as he blew up his career‘.
It is uncertain where Wande Coal stands for now. And while many are already taking sides, we’re told those who understand the implications of the pending break-up, are working day and night to make sure it doesn’t happen. ‘Several people are working to make sure it’s resolved’ a top industry source told us, Saturday. ‘Friends and partners will always quarrel. I dont see anything happening between them that can not be resolved. They stand to benefit more by remaining together than if they go their separate ways…’
However, one Mo’Hits insider claims ‘sadly this thing has gone beyond repair’. He refused to elaborate.
POST BREAK-UP PROJECTIONS FOR THE MO’HITS DUO
So with the breakup of the duo looking like a reality, what lies in store for both power partners if they decide to go their separate ways? NET examines the possible scenarios.
D’BANJ:
This music maverick’s career is not likely to be over, at least not in the foreseeable future. With increasing international exposure opening doors for him from London to New York, multi-million dollar deals begging for his star endorsement, close associations with the biggest names in musical entertainment; Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Jay Z and more, there is little evidence to support the notion that a split will stop his career in its’ tracks.
However, ‘breaking free’ from his long-time producer and friend, if not properly managed, may mark the beginning of a long and painful journey into a reckless and irresponsible lifestyle, culminating into personal and career decline.
DON JAZZY:
The producer is in no danger of being out of relevance musically, since his G.O.O.D music deal will no doubt task him on bringing out more creative material fit for his new family’s primarily American audience, thereby boosting his profile. His ever building clientele also doesn’t seem to be much threatened, as even now, he commands some of the highest production fees in the continent.
However, his visibility in the media may suffer, thereby confining him permanently to the booth. The combined force of Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, D’Prince and possibly K-Switch, taking nothing away from their commercial viability and talent, don’t seem enough to ensure his visual presence, at least not like his Don Jazzy/D’Banj duo formular. One good thing for him though: Don Jazzy is a star maker who can pick up another talent and create a star in the mould of D’banj in a few years. He also appears to be a more disciplined act; and in showbusiness, with discipline comes focus and longevity…
46 comments
Omoo…dis one na suicide oo or Ȋ̝̊̅† could just be another move τ̅☺ be in τ̲̅ђe news! Unto say person ŊΦ really know wetin happen , its so hard 2comment now so make we chill Α̲̅πϑ grab some pop corns…….but f☺Я real jazzy wasn’t w̶̲̥̅̊Ȋ̝̊̅†h dbanj in paris!WHY?? Ogaa ooo…in a couple of weeks we go sabi as things go!!!
Uhmmmm… It is well o. *long sigh. It is almost public knowledge that Don Jazzy has been the one arresting D’banj’s potentials for recklessness and egoism. With DJ in DB’s lyf, he’s very likely to throw caution to the winds esp with the international ‘illusion’. He ll almost certainly fall out of favour with fans of his personality even tho dr r little chances of his music career suffering, at least not in the immediate. DB ll live his international stardom dream only for a while. After he falls out of favour with his home fans, he’ll retire to live a shadow of his famous self in the U.K too ashamed to come back home so the press won’t feast on him in spite of his truck load of money. All these imminent if they split. I feel for Wande Coal who’s caught in-between.
Na wa oh. They’re both talented artists at the end of the day, so if they do split up I’m sure the 9 years they’ve been together, they’ve learned a LOT about the industry – business and music wise etc. I can only say good luck to both of them and their futures.
Do you know that D’banj’s mum plays a strong role in his music/personal life? Including his friendship/partnership with Don Jazzy. If one person should intervene in this issue, it’s gat to be D’banj’s mother and if my personal analysis is anything to go by, then I think, D’banj’s mum and Don Jazzy are also not in good terms – a reason why this issue would have lasted so long and spilled to the public.
I have personally used them as reference to a perfect business relationship yet not brothers like the Okoyes… However, I believe they will eventually come to compromise. I cannot say much about this issue right now because we have only heard from various sources… there’s probably more to what we’ve heard or seen so far. Only D’banj and Don Jazzy can tell us ‘the truth’.
Mark this date.
If this story is the real truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, THIS IS THE END OF D’BANJ’s CAREER.
D’Banj’s kind of music will not cause any storms in America. Slowly he will die out.
He remains a largely Nigerian / African act and NEEDS A PRODUCER THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT TERRAIN – DON JAZZY. The only Nigerian artiste that can make it outside Nigeria is Innocent Idibia aka TUFACE.
Pls,wot are u talking?There are so many Naija artistes who are better than tuface and even lyrically better and the honest truth is no one is best.They are excellent in their own ways and their music satisfy people in different ways.No one is indispensible,only God is so u can”t claim someone”s career is over.U shldn”t come here to rant if you are not fully informed!Don Jazzy CANNOT do what D”banj does and D”banj himself CANNOT do what Don Jazzy does.If this break up is true,both would lose to an extent but God knows best.There may even be better days ahead of both of them.However,let me remind u that what sells D”banj is NOT only music.Moreover,he and Don Jazzy know the Naija music market so very well!They are both great and hopefully they resolve the matter in earnest.
P/S-No one wld mark ur words “cos i believe evry one wishes them well even if they are not their best artistes or whatever.
Guy you talk 100percent truth…the packaging na by Don Jazzy…D Banj music get only Naija flavour…make im F up na so im go take waka…don jazzy na d don till infinito
Mehn! I cn’t sa anytin cncnin diz guyz ptnashp brkup,cuz am nt in dia shoe 2 knw wt’z wrng. Bt al i knw iz, if dia’s knw brkup dia wil be knw mkup!!!!!.
Am not sure dey sign a life partnership so??????????
This was going to happen only a matter of time. People will always be humble when hustling but when money and fame lands they act reckless. D’banj dont forget hustling and humble days in barking, east london oo.
GET A RESIDENT PERMIT FOR REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA.
FOOTBALLERS & ARTISANS wish to live and work in Georgia can contact us.
STUDY IN TOP UNIVERSITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA
University available in Tbilisi, Batumi & Kutaisi.
Required documents for University Admission/Visa
International Passport page, Birth Certificate, Results Ssce or Neco, Testimonial.
Scan and send to: globalvers@gmail.com OR CONTACT US :
GLOBAL RAYNDY LIMITED
Education * Travel & Tour * Consultant Agency
34 ALLEN AVENUE, KFC BUILDING
IKEJA LAGOS NIGERIA
edu@globalversity.org , globalvers@gmail.com
Contact Mr Raymond.
Tel: 08026147633, 08162453287,018816751
this is just a rumor their manager has said nothing is going on . leave them
well……..
love both ǿſ dem. pray d̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ resolve it fast
The plain fact is that Dbanj does not appreciate what Don jazzy as done 4 him so far. Just try nd picture Dbanj way back like 2004 wen he came into lime light.guy dat guy jonz knw b smal na person like me Dbanj 4 do dis kind tin make e c fire.
such is lyf….datz wat is killin nigeria artists…u can neva c or hear kanye west,diddy among odas plannin 2stay in nigeria 4 just a wik nt 2talk of relocatin 2 nigeria,dey cherish deir fans n culture…d’banj b wise
D’banj would never make it without a wande coal or Donjazzy beside him. This guy doesn’t undastand music. Hw would go off key just like he did on Tim westwood. For me D’banj will suffer, cos pretty soon Kanye won’t be feeling him
This is just a bigger and richer version of 9ice and Cabasa, they’ll both suffer it musically buh one fact is “twenty kids can’t play for twenty years”… lets wish them luck…
Watch the making of oliver twist ” Can’t find don jazzy and thr mohits crew ” after they all promoted the wack song..
Na wah ohhhhhhhhhh
PLE COME BACK I LOVE YOU GUYS REMEMBER YOU CAN DO WHIT OUT EACH OTHER IF ONE GO DOWN THE NAME MO HIT IS ALSO DOWN COME BACK GUYS
serves them right, especially don jazzy! he shud ave been pushing wande coal, yet he left him and the rest, Now dbanj has kicked him out and he has run back to his crew. The same crew that he abandoned in maryland when he and dbanj moved to lekki.
If i were Dr Sid, i would have gone on a long holiday so he will have to stay in a hotel or go back to his village, The best thing for me in all of thsi is that FINALLY djazzy would be motivated to do something reasonable for wande. Not the rubbish he did for him last year
I pray dey resolve dis iSsue cos dey both nEed each other…putting business aside,dey r friends goddammit..friends don’t stab each other now
God help dem but if they split D’banj won’t suffer Don jazzy may Y cos kanye is hyping D’banj well I pray they don’t oh
@macho,D’banj wld not make it without a Wande Coal?Are u confused?As iiin???Do u think wot sells D’banj is only music?U better think before u post comments mehn.
@macho,D’banj wld not make it without a Wande Coal?D’banj doesn’t understand music?Are u confused?As iiin???Do u think wot sells D’banj is only music?U better think before u post comments mehn.I think ur the one who doesn’t understand music ‘cos if u do,u wld realize that music is very complex and comprises many genres and at the same time,is not limited to having a good voice!
Nigerians are like that! we all are dark from every angle! no trust! no love! you can immagine, 2face did thesame because of money and now d’banj and don jazzy.
@macho y Ūя̲̅ talking like a moron wit a fish brain ? No D’banj without wande coal. Where A̶̲̥̅̊я̲̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ u frm sef? How does wande’s career clashes wit DB’s own? DB is good, wande coal is good $ Don jazzy is good as well and they will all make it more. So hit Ūя̲̅ fish brain against wall before u stwepidly post, mumu !!!!
Omoo! Its a very sad news….m §peachle§$
D banj wake up wake up wake up before it is too late
Don’t put your career in jeopardy you can never recover from
Think!
I sorry for Dbanj Don jazzy should focus on wande coal and co.
The impending breakup of dbanj and donjazzy will spell doom for the mohits label.i pity wande coal who`s talent is just wasting away.imagine going three years without an album.its just too bad.i guess if the label breaks up, dr sid will dust up his medical certificate and become a medical doctor fulltime.haa haa haa!
Nahting gud comes easy, and nahting gud stays 4eva. Doh sad, lets see wat bcms of dis. Peace.
Ω̴̩̩̩̥a lie, D’banj and Don jazzy will surely make it separately. A̶̲̥̅♏ mo’hits fans. ΰ guy shud stop saying D’banj will never make it, will also not make it. Let pray dt God bless dem in what ever dey do in life and stop criticism. God bless all of us.
Will miss bth of dem S̶̲̥̅̊Ợ̥ much…am still doubting self about dis don jazzy nd Dbanj S̶̲̥̅̊Ợ̥ nw see how tins R fr dj,I pity dem sha.will miss mohits sha..D oliver twist video was making nd was also lacking..Godbless Sesan,Don jazzy ,dB,wande nd D rest
Hmmmmmm na wah ooooo I can’t beliv dis plsss tel me is not tru hahahahaha dnt hav much to say am short of words rite now buh I just want u guys to knw dat there wil b D’banj without wande cool cus D’banj was already popular b4 wande cool came in to mo hits.so stop saying no wande cool no d banj I beg.don jazzy n d’banj wil both regret dia tearing apart becus they both help themselves if not don jazzy there wil b no popular d banj and if not d’banj there wil b no popular don jazy cus is 50:50 one do d producing d other do d singing so no one is left aside even if don jazzy is starting all over wit dr sid n co d’banj cud also create his partners afterall there are plenty popular producers @ there abi 2face nor leave kennis?? Thy’hv got difnt talent. Abi na only mo hit music una dey enjoy for 9ja? Abi na woman cus dia quarel? Dose guys too like woman ooooooo lolz
This is the most professional entertainment reporting ever that I’ve seen in a long long time. Do keep it up!
Am still speachless. Bt god wish must surelly come to pass.
Am̶̲̥̅̊ s̶̲̥̅̊o sowie 4 d both, dε̲̣̣̣̥ÿ̲̣̣̣̥ shud̶̲̥̅̊ av a rethink. n̶̲̥̅̊d̶̲̥̅̊ cum bak.its only God woo Ơ̴̴͡.̮Ơ̴̴̴͡ all hidden tins.♡̨̐peace♡̨̐
dis na big wahalla 4 wade oooooo
Dis word gets me flabbergasted nd flummoxed cos I can’t believe dat those two great celebrities which ppl adore are into this quagmire.Wel God is in control
Realy I wish Dbanj cud look back and take his time to watch his old videos like ‘Suddendly’ wher Don jazzy promised to make him mega star makin MJackson an example, or let him go back and watch ‘Booty call’ 1st sceen, well he sud make it but I am worried abt his type of music over ther.
its so pathetic that things re going soar bw don jazzy n
d banj, i wish there can be a lasting solutn 2 dis madness
D Mo’hit stars re ok, plays their individual roles well.
i think Dbanj shld rethink n come bak 2 pple dat really
understands him and fans willing 2 take him far, other
than being blinded by dollars. think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!