I Almost Quit Music When Mo’Hits Collapsed – Don Jazzy

In a stunning revelation, iconic Nigerian music producer Don Jazzy has disclosed that the collapse of the legendary Mo’Hits record label in 2012 nearly led him to abandon his music career entirely.

The music executive, who co-founded Mo’Hits with D’banj, opened up in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, confessing that the label’s abrupt end, fueled by well-publicized disagreements, pushed him to the brink of quitting and moving abroad.

“When Mo’Hits ended, I thought that was it. I almost packed up to move abroad,” Don Jazzy shared. However, this moment of crisis became a turning point. He credits his friends with encouraging him to stay and rebuild from the ground up. That resurgence led to the creation of what would become a new powerhouse in African music: Mavin Records.

He reflected on the experience, stating, “Since then, I’ve learned not to let anything break me.”

Rising from the ashes of Mo’Hits, Mavin Records initially became a home for several of its former artists, including Wande Coal, Dr SID, and D’Prince, and was quickly bolstered by the signing of new superstar Tiwa Savage.

This resilience has paid off spectacularly. Over a decade later, Mavin Records has cultivated a new generation of global phenoms, with a roster that now includes Rema and Ayra Starr, alongside other talents like Ladipoe and Johnny Drille.

The label’s monumental success was further cemented in 2024 when Universal Music Group announced a majority investment in Mavin Global, a move that validates Don Jazzy’s decision to stay and build an empire that has since shaped the sound of a continent.