Don Jazzy Claims Communal Living Fueled Iconic Afrobeats Hits

Music executive Michael Collins Ajereh, widely known as Don Jazzy, believes that the golden era of Afrobeats stemmed from artists and producers sharing living spaces equipped with recording studios.

He argues that this proximity fostered a more collaborative environment for hit-making.

During a recent appearance on the Crea8torium podcast, Don Jazzy highlighted how spontaneity flourished in the Mo’Hits mansion. He shared the backstory of D’Banj’s track Olorun Maje, noting that the melody was born from a tense moment between D’Prince and their former manager, Sunday Are.

After D’Banj scolded D’Prince for skipping interviews, D’Prince walked into the studio and channeled his frustration into the lyrics that eventually shaped the song.

Similarly, he recalled how Dr. Sid contributed to the track You Bad by simply entering the studio and improvising rhymes over an existing beat.

Don Jazzy observes that current industry practices differ significantly from those earlier days, though he maintains his personal process of crafting specific instrumentals for individual artists.

Ultimately, Don Jazzy encourages emerging musicians to prioritize spending more time together, suggesting that stronger personal connections lead to better artistic cohesion.