Although most people know him as Don Jazzy, his real names are Michael Collins Ajereh. Michael was born on the 26th day of November, 1982 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ajereh in Umuahia, Abia State. Shortly after, the family moved to Lagos where young Michael had his elementary education. He also attended Federal Government College, Lagos for his secondary education and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma where he studied Business Management.
In the year 2000, Don Jazzy received an invitation from his uncle who was based in the United Kingdom to play musical instruments for their local church having been aware of Michael’s dexterity with musical instruments including 61 key midi controller, drums, guitars and several other percussion instruments. He accepted the invitation and off he went to London to start a new life.
To survive or maybe make some extra money to support himself, he took up several odd jobs while in London including a job as a security guard in Mcdonalds. He also met with other Nigerian music enthusiasts such as JJC and the 419 Squad, Kas, Dbanj and Solek.
In 2004, Don Jazzy floated a record label with his friend, Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as Dbanj. Together they formed a record label, Mo’ Hits record and began releasing albums. Between 2004 and 2006, they had released two successful albums, No Long Thing and Rundown/Funk You Up.
Don Jazzy, although not a musician, was just as popular as Dbanj due to the trademark intro, It’s ”Don Jazzy Again” which Dbanj always used in his songs as a way to give credit to the producer, Don Jazzy. Together, the duo continued to release hit after hit with Dbanj as the sole artist signed onto the label.
In 2008, a new artist, Wande Coal was signed on to the label and along came other artists like Dprince, Dr. Sid and a handful of others.
Unfortunately, Mo’ Hits records had to be dissolved in 2011 due to irreconcilable differences between the two major partners, Don Jazzy and Dbanj. Upon dissolution, both parties went on to float individual record labels; whilst Dbanj went on to float DB records and sign on to GOOD Music, an international record label owned by Kanye West, Don Jazzy floated his own record label, Mavin records. Signed on to the Mavin record label are artists like Tiwa Savage, DPrince, Di’ja, Dr Sid, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello.
Don Jazzy has produced more than 60 songs, both for artists signed on his record labels and those who aren’t. He has also been featured in a couple of singles. He has also received a couple of awards including 2006 Nigerian Music Awards Best Producer of the Year, 2007 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Music Producer of the Year, The Headies 2011 Producer of the Year and The Headies 2004 Producer of the Year.
Not so much is known about the social life of the ace music producer; a few unconfirmed rumors here and there are what you would most likely get when you try to dig into Don Jazzy’s social life. One thing is for sure though: he knows how to keep his private life private.