Don Jazzy, whose real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter and music executive. He co-founded Mo’ Hits Records with D’banj in 2004 before launching Mavin Records in 2012.
Born on 26 November 1982 in Umuahia, Abia State, Don Jazzy is 43 years old in 2026. He grew up in Ajegunle, Lagos, learnt to play musical instruments as a child and moved to London in 2000, where he played drums in a church while working at McDonald’s.
After returning to Nigeria, he built his career through music production and songwriting. His work with D’banj produced records such as “Tongolo”, “Why Me”, “Bumper to Bumper”, “Over the Moon” and “Oliver Twist”. He later produced Wande Coal’s Mushin 2 Mo’Hits and received an additional production credit on “Lift Off” by Jay-Z, Kanye West and Beyoncé.
When Mo’ Hits ended in 2012, Don Jazzy launched Mavin Records. The label signed Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, D’Prince and Di’Ja before adding artists including Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, LadiPoe, Rema, Crayon, Ayra Starr, Johnny Drille, Magixx, Bayanni and Boy Spyce.
Universal Music Group announced a majority investment in Mavin Global in 2024. Don Jazzy and Tega Oghenejobo continued to lead Mavin after the transaction. In 2026, Billboard named both executives among its Global Power Players.
Table of Contents
Don Jazzy Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Michael Collins Ajereh |
| Stage name | Don Jazzy |
| Nickname | Don Baba J |
| Date of birth | 26 November 1982 |
| Age | 43 years |
| Place of birth | Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria |
| State of origin | Delta State |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Profession | Record producer, singer, songwriter and music executive |
| Education | Federal Government College, Lagos; Ambrose Alli University |
| Course | Business Management |
| Brother | D’Prince |
| Former wife | Michelle Jackson |
| Record labels | Mo’ Hits Records and Mavin Records |
| Years active | 2000–present |
Don Jazzy Net Worth
His net worth is estimated at $15 million in 2026. Don Jazzy’s income sources include music production, songwriting, record-label management, artist development, endorsements and business interests.
The Mavin transaction does not establish Don Jazzy’s personal net worth because UMG did not disclose the financial terms or Don Jazzy’s personal proceeds.
His production catalogue includes commercial records by D’banj and Wande Coal, while his international credits include “Lift Off” by Jay-Z, Kanye West and Beyoncé.
Media reports have also linked Don Jazzy to endorsement deals involving brands such as MTN, Samsung and Konga.
Net Worth In 2026
| Detail | Information |
| Estimated net worth | $15 million |
| Main professions | Producer, songwriter, singer and music executive |
| Record labels | Mo’ Hits Records and Mavin Records |
| Mavin founded | 2012 |
| UMG investment | Majority stake in Mavin Global |
Don Jazzy Early Life, Family and Education
Don Jazzy was born Michael Collins Ajereh in Umuahia, Abia State, on 26 November 1982. His family later moved to Ajegunle, Lagos, where he spent part of his childhood.
His father, Collins Enebeli Ajereh, comes from Isoko in Delta State, while his mother came from Abia State. Don’s father also worked in business and music promotion.
Don Jazzy started learning music as a child and learnt to play the drums, piano and bass guitar. His interest in music continued through his teenage years and later became his profession.
His younger brother, Charles Enebeli, performs as D’Prince. The brothers worked together during the Mo’ Hits and Mavin years.
Don Jazzy travelled to London in 2000 after receiving an invitation from his uncle to play drums at a church. He worked at McDonald’s while pursuing music and also performed with musicians and groups in London.
He later studied music production under Emeka Infiniti at O-Town Records before returning to Nigeria and working with D’banj.
Don Jazzy attended Federal Government College, Lagos, for his secondary education. He later studied Business Management at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State.
Don Jazzy Wife And Marriage
Don Jazzy married Michelle Jackson in 2003 when he was 20. The marriage ended about two years later.
Don Jazzy later said that his focus on music affected the marriage. In 2025, he discussed marriage during the Echo Podcast and said:
“I never thought I would be 40-something and not be married.”
Later that year, he said Michelle Jackson had moved on and remarried after a fan asked whether he would reconcile with her.
Does Don Jazzy Have Children?
Don Jazzy said in 2023 that he does not have children. He made the statement while responding to claims that he had secretly married and fathered four children.
He said: “No, I don’t have any child, to the best of my knowledge.”
Don Jazzy Music Career And Mo’ Hits Records
Don Jazzy’s professional music career took off after he returned to Nigeria and partnered with D’banj. The pair founded Mo’ Hits Records in 2004, with Don Jazzy handling production and D’banj leading the label’s recording output.
The label released D’banj’s No Long Thing and The Entertainer, while Wande Coal released Mushin 2 Mo’Hits. Don Jazzy’s production became easy to identify through his “It’s Don Jazzy Again!” tag.
His Mo’ Hits production credits include “Tongolo”, “Why Me”, “Bumper to Bumper”, “Over the Moon” and “Oliver Twist”. The label also introduced artists such as Wande Coal, Dr SID and D’Prince.
In 2011, Mo’ Hits entered a partnership with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music. Don Jazzy later received an additional production credit on “Lift Off” by Jay-Z, Kanye West and Beyoncé.
The partnership between Don Jazzy and D’banj ended in 2012, bringing Mo’ Hits Records to an end. Don Jazzy then started Mavin Records.
Mavin Records
Jazzy launched Mavin Records in 2012, with Solar Plexus serving as the label’s first compilation album.
The first Mavin roster included Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, D’Prince and Di’Ja. Don Jazzy later added Korede Bello and Reekado Banks before signing LadiPoe and DNA in 2017.
Mavin introduced Rema and Crayon in 2019, followed by artists including Ayra Starr, Johnny Drille, Magixx, Bayanni, Boy Spyce and Lifesize Teddy.
Mavin secured funding from Kupanda Capital in 2019. Universal Music Group then announced its majority investment in Mavin Global in 2024. UMG said Don Jazzy and Tega Oghenejobo would continue leading the company after the transaction.
In 2025, Don Jazzy said Mavin could spend between $100,000 and $300,000 to activate a new artist.
Don Jazzy Songs And Production Credits
Don Jazzy’s production catalogue covers the Mo’ Hits and Mavin eras. His recorded credits include the following:
| Song Or Project | Artist | Don Jazzy’s Role |
| Tongolo | D’banj | Producer |
| Ijoya | D’banj | Producer |
| Why Me | D’banj | Producer |
| Bumper to Bumper | D’banj | Producer |
| Over the Moon | D’banj | Producer |
| Mr Endowed | D’banj | Producer |
| Oliver Twist | D’banj | Producer |
| Mushin 2 Mo’Hits | Wande Coal | Producer |
| Dorobucci | Mavins | Producer |
| Adaobi | Mavins | Producer |
| Won Da Mo | Mavins | Producer |
| Lift Off | Jay-Z, Kanye West and Beyoncé | Additional producer |
Jazzy also performed and recorded music during his career, including work connected to the Mo’ Hits and Mavin catalogues.
Don Jazzy Awards
Don Jazzy won Producer of the Year at the 2006 Headies for “Tongolo” and “Ijoya”.
He won the same category at the 2010 Headies.
At the 2011 Headies, Don Jazzy won Producer of the Year again.
In 2014, he won the Headies Producer of the Year award for “Dorobucci”. The Headies listed Don Jazzy and “Dorobucci” in the category’s official nominations.
His other recorded honours include the 2007 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Producer of the Year, the 2015 City People Entertainment Award and recognition at the 2019 Beatz Awards.
In 2026, Billboard named Don Jazzy and Tega Oghenejobo among its Global Power Players.
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group announced its majority investment in Mavin Global in February 2024. The transaction brought Mavin into UMG’s global business while Don Jazzy and Tega Oghenejobo remained in charge.
UMG said Mavin would retain autonomy over its strategic direction and artist development.
Don Jazzy said: “I’m proud of the artists, careers and brand we’ve built that have made Mavin the force it is today.”
UMG did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.
Don Jazzy Biography FAQS
How old is Don Jazzy?
Don Jazzy is 43 years old in 2026. He was born on 26 November 1982.
What is Don Jazzy’s real name?
Don Jazzy’s real name is Michael Collins Ajereh.
Where is Don Jazzy from?
Don Jazzy was born in Umuahia, Abia State. His father, Collins Enebeli Ajereh, comes from Isoko in Delta State.
Who is Don Jazzy’s brother?
Don Jazzy’s younger brother is D’Prince, whose real name is Charles Enebeli.
What record label did Don Jazzy start?
Don Jazzy co-founded Mo’ Hits Records with D’banj in 2004 and founded Mavin Records in 2012.
Is Don Jazzy still the CEO of Mavin Records?
Don Jazzy remained in charge of Mavin after Universal Music Group acquired a majority stake in Mavin Global in 2024. UMG said Don Jazzy and Tega Oghenejobo would continue leading the company.
Did Don Jazzy sell Mavin Records?
Universal Music Group acquired a majority stake in Mavin Global in 2024. The transaction did not transfer the entire company to UMG.
How much did Don Jazzy get from the Mavin deal?
UMG did not disclose the financial terms of its investment in Mavin Global. No confirmed figure states how much Don Jazzy personally received.
What songs did Don Jazzy produce?
His production credits include “Tongolo”, “Ijoya”, “Why Me”, “Bumper to Bumper”, “Over the Moon”, “Mr Endowed”, “Oliver Twist”, “Dorobucci” and “Lift Off”.
What awards has Don Jazzy won?
Don Jazzy won Producer of the Year at The Headies in 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2014.
How does Don Jazzy make his money?
Don Jazzy earns from music production, songwriting, record-label management, artist development, endorsements and business interests.
What is Don Jazzy’s net worth?
Don Jazzy’s net worth is $15 million in 2026.
