Don Jazzy Reveals Why Record Labels Fail In Nigeria

You’ll agree that Don Jazzy runs one of the most successful record labels in Africa. With 6 artistes signed under the Mavin label, each artiste has at least one hit song, one or more endorsement deals and they keep buzzing with good songs.

NET correspondent cornered the Mavin boss for a quick chat on how he’s able to run the label successfully at a time when several others are crashing.

In his words, ‘I think I was born to do this, there are other record labels doing well also but in my research, I don’t think there’s any record label that’s as passionate about the careers of their artistes as much as I am. I’m over passionate about my artistes. Until the last man blows, am not happy, I think about their success before I think about making money but most labels are always interested in making back the money they’ve invested and making profit’.

Don’t you ever worry about the money you spend and the possibility of not recouping it, ‘I believe in the talent that God has given me, and I believe I’ll make many more hit songs, so if you believe in what you are doing and you work very hard, money will come, you don’t need to be greedy and expect to make all the money in the world when your artiste is not making money. Sometimes my lawyers tell me the way my artiste contract is set up is wrong because I’m cheating myself with the sharing formula, but I don’t think I’m cheating myself, I think I’m making my artiste very comfortable and in the long run, we’ll be fine because I care more about my name and the glory than the money, but most labels care more about the money than the glory’ he said.

When asked how much he’s invested in the record label, Don Jazzy said, ‘Before God and man I will not be able to tell you that, because I don’t know, maybe the problem that the other record labels have is the fact that they can tell you’.

How much has the label made we asked ‘I’ve made stupid money. A lot of money and I’m very comfortable’.

The Don Jazzy led Mavin records is home to Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid, D’Prince, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello and Di’ija.