Afrobeats artists, producers made better music when they lived together – Don Jazzy 

Nigerian Music Executive Don Jazzy Reflects on the Evolution of Afrobeats

Nigerian music executive Michael Collins Ajereh, widely recognized as Don Jazzy, has stated that the collaborative environment of living and working together enhanced the creativity of Afrobeats artists and producers.

In a recent episode of the Crea8torium podcast, Don Jazzy shared a personal experience recalling how a spontaneous moment with artist D’Prince at the Mo’Hits mansion significantly influenced the creation of D’Banj’s song “Olorun Maje.”

“I have a theory that most of the great music we made in Afrobeats was during the time when we all lived together,” Don Jazzy said. He went on to describe how D’Prince and Sunday Are, then the group’s manager, inspired the song.

“Sunday Are was frustrated because D’Prince was reluctant to attend radio interviews,” he recalled. “After reporting the issue to me, which I neglected as I was engrossed in the studio, he took it to D’Banj. D’Banj reacted strongly, which led D’Prince to return to the studio, seemingly cleaning equipment, when he began to sing, ‘Some people they want make I cry, some people they want make I die, why? Olorun Maje oooo.’”

Don Jazzy noted how D’Prince’s lyrics seamlessly aligned with the beat he was crafting at the time, marking the beginning of the song. He also highlighted another hit, “You bad, you want it,” which emerged when Dr. Sid casually entered the studio and began improvising over one of his beats.

Reflecting on the current landscape of music creation, Don Jazzy acknowledged a shift in the process from his earlier days. Despite this change, he emphasized his approach remains consistent, as he continues to enter the studio with the aim of developing beats tailored for specific artists.

He further encouraged the new generation of creatives to foster collaborations, which can enhance synergy and innovation within their music.

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