Don Jazzy was born Michael Collins Ajereh inUmuahia,Abia State, on 26 November 1982, the son of Collins Enebeli Ajereh and Mrs Ajereh. His father is fromIsoko inDelta State. His mother is anIgbo princess from Abia State and his father is a member of theIsoko people.[4]
Ajereh's family moved toAjegunle,Lagos, where Don Jazzy was raised.[5] He was educated at theco-educational high school,Federal Government College Lagos. Don Jazzy found an interest in music early in life and at age 12, began to play the bass guitar and piano.[6] He also gained knowledge of traditional and percussion instruments. Don Jazzy enrolled in business management and studied at theAmbrose Alli University,Ekpoma,Edo state.[7]
In 2000, Jazzy's uncle invited him to play the drums for a local church in London and that was his first visit to London.[8] Don Jazzy gained employment atMcDonald's as a security guard. He continued his interest in music, associating with Solek,JJC Skillz, Kas,Jesse Jagz, The 419 Squad andD'Banj.
In 2004, Don Jazzy collaborated withD'Banj to formMo' Hits Records. In the next two years, Don Jazzy produced the albumsNo Long Thing andRundown/Funk You Up. Around this time, Don Jazzy developed a recognizable producer/artist tags, "It's Don Jazzy Again!".[9]
In 2008, Don Jazzy was credited in the production ofThe Entertainer by D'Banj. He also contributed to the production ofWande Coal'sMushin 2 MoHits, an album that was described as one of the best albums to ever come out of Nigeria.[10]
In 2011, Don Jazzy was employed byKanye West as a producer at Very Good Beatz. Don Jazzy worked withJay-Z and Kanye West on the production ofLift Off, featuringBeyoncé on the albumWatch The Throne which was released on 8 August 2011.[11]In March 2012, Don Jazzy and D'Banj confirmed their breakup citing artistic differences.[12]
On 7 May 2012, Don Jazzy announced a new record label,Mavin Records. He said, "I see Mavin Records being the power house of music in Africa in the shortest possible time."[13] On 8 May 2012, he released an album featuring the artists signed to his label. The songs on the album included: "Amarachi", "Forever", "Oma Ga", "Take Banana and Chocolate", "YOLO" and the anthem "I'm a MAVIN". Mavin records signed the vocalist,Tiwa Savage. Don Jazzy built a social network platform called "Marvin League" to complement and market his label.[14]
On 5 November 2013, Ajereh had conflict with an artist, Wande Coal who left the label two days later.[15]
In September 2014, Ajereh produced a Nigerian social activist song withReekado Banks andDi'Ja called "Arise".[16]
At the Headies Awards 2015, Ajereh argued withOlamide. The two disagreed about who should have won the "Next Rated" award. Lil Kesh of YBNL records lost to Reekado Banks, Ajereh's artist. The winner of the award received a car. Apologies on both sides were posted afterwards.[17][18]
AfterReekado Banks departure from the Mavin Records label, Don Jazzy said he is still part of the family and wished him nothing but success in his career as he thanked him for the time spent with Mavin Records.[19]
In 2019, he signedRema and later went on in 2020 to signAyra Starr into Mavins Record Label. In 2021, he announced a new artist,Magixx.[20]
On 7 April 2021, he revealed why he never signedDavido.[21]
In 2012, Don Jazzy appeared in Moses Inwang's movieThe Last 3 Digits inNollywood. Inwang also cast Ali Baba,A.Y.,Nonso Diobi andDr SID. In April 2023, Don Jazzy joined the cast of 'Introducing The Kujus' for its sequel.[22][23][24][25]
Don Jazzy married Michelle Jackson in 2003. He claims they both had issues as a result of his ambitious nature and subsequently divorced about two years after they wed. However, he doesn't plan to marry again soon because he fears his love and dedication to music will hurt someone's feelings again.[37][38]
In July 2022, he announced the death of his mother via his Instagram page.[39]
In what will come across as a really heart-breaking development, the legendary Nigerian beatmaker, Don Jazzy and his brother,D’Prince, a popular Nigerian singer have lost their mother tocancer.[40]
Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy has confirmed he is still a committed member of the white garment church called ‘Cherubim and Seraphim’. Over the weekend, the respected music producer was honoured by the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim & Seraphim church worldwide and later, pictures of his childhood cladded in the church’s garment hit the internet. Before now, not many knew the multiple award-winning beat maker was a member of the church and this was why many were surprised. A surprised fan of Don Jazzy asked him, ‘So you have been attending Cele (a name commonly used for white garment churches in Nigeria)? and the Mavin boss responded, ‘and then? I still attend the church till now. But get it right, it’s Cherubim & Seraphim (notCele).[5]
