Don Jazzy and D’banj’s Brake Up Story

Naija is sweet; get it, for those with the money, fame and beautiful women. The Nigerian entertainment industry has witnessed a huge number of returnees (Nigerians who before now lived abroad) should I list some? Kas, Tiwa Savage, Godwon etc. But the reason for this development can be traced to two young Nigerians Don Jazzy and D’Banj who returned to motherland and took over the entertainment scene in Nigeria at a time when every artiste was praying for that Kennis Music record deal.

D’Banj and Don Jazzy made Mo Hits a house hold name as the duo kept dropping more hits, the record label indeed lived up to its name. Even when the money wasn’t initially long, the videos were as provocative as they could get. Nigerians were drawn to the koko phenomenon and up till today no one knows what the koko really is.

Don Jazzy redefined cool and D’Banj a sex symbol, the crooners from Mo Hits kept headlining every top notch show in Naija. D’Banj could be dramatic, blunt and outspoken but the entertainer always gave respect to his producer and Mo Hits’ CEO Don Jazzy, It’s Don Jazzy again became his signature and Naija liked it. D’Banj made a prediction at 2008 Hip Hop World Awards he called on the big brands and other major stake holders to invest in ‘them’ or else international brands will step in. A few years after; Uncle Snoop introduced D’Banj as his nephew on Mr. Endowed Remix track and the video, a bang.

In less than a decade, Don Jazzy and D’Banj had actually conquered the entertainment scene in Naija, Mo Hits boasted of catalogue of hits and super stars such as Wande Coal, Dr. Sid even the critics of D’ Prince (Don Jazzy’s brother) can’t help but dance to omo oba, give it to me and his killer flow on noni, such is the magic of the Don and everything associated with him.

The success story of the Mo Hits president and its vice president climaxed with the record deal offer from Kanye West. Just as Nigerians were grooving to oliver twist and anticipating the next thing from the Mo Hits heads and GOOD music union, a shocking news of brake up between Don Jazzy and D’Banj hit the fans. But what really led to the brake up?

It will take reading in between the lines to dig the cause of the matter. the interview D’Banj granted Ebony magazine in the US attracted reactions, here is a quote from the interview ‘Coming from Africa I’m my own manager, I have my own label called Mo’ Hits with my artists Dr. Sid, Wande Coal, Don Jazzy, D’Prince and K-Switch. I own Mo’ Hits and we’ve won numerous awards by the grace of God’. Don Jazzy also expressed himself on twitter as follow: ‘Good day friends. So sorry I have been away for long as I have been going through some changes in my life. It is with a heavy heart that i announce the end of a long era and the beginning of a new one some of the rumours you have all heard recently are sad but true. The way forward now is to make sure I keep bringing you guys more of the beautiful music y’all love to dance to. And to end the old era I will be donating d proceeds of my production catalogue from day 1 till date to 5 charity organizations. Thanks. IDJA’,

But the reality is that D’Banj has bid Mo Hits bye-bye. In reaction to this development a cross section of artistes in the music industry aired their views, Goldie: I feel it’s very sad, especially as together; they were a force to be reckoned with. It’s hard to imagine how each would cope without the other. eLDee: I don’t see any negative effects on the industry. I think they are going to continue to do good music as long as they are active. It’s just unfortunate things turned out this way and I wish it wouldn’t have come to this. I’ve been through this before and I can tell you it hurts. But I wish them the best. Modenine: Well I’ve known D’banj for quite a while now, more than 10 years ago, and I’ve also met Don Jazzy as well and we all know they are both an award winning team. I’m not about what went down and all of that, but It’s unfortunate. I do wish them well though. Darey: It’s pretty sad to hear that because they are all my friends. I hope everything turns out for the best.

And from yours truly, I think what Don Jazzy should do now is to ensure that the rest of Mo Hits family stick together, the good Don can still attain higher heights. (A lesson learnt from the fall of Death Row Records owned by Suge Knights) And since D’Banj and Don Jazzy both share fans, amicable departure or exit will be good for D’Banj. The koko master should make peace with the Don and re-establish friendship with his former boss while pursuing career heights under GOOD music contract, this move will please their fans. But after all said and done, money seems to be thicker than family in this brake up story. We pray our Naira will someday be equal in value to Dollar.