Don Jazzy: Why I didn’t sign Wizkid, Davido, Falz

Nigerian music producer, Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has disclosed the reasons behind his failure to sign popular singers, Wizkid and Davido, to his ex-record label, Mo’ Hits Records.

Don Jazzy and Oladapo Oyebanjo, fondly called D’banj, co-founded Mo’ Hits Records in 2006 but the label dissolved in 2012.

However, the popular music producer, in an interview with Fisayo Fosudo, said he could not sign Wizkid because Banky W’s record label, EME, got to the Afrobeat singer first.

He said it could have been “amazing” if he had signed Wizkid to his label.

“Wizkid, obviously, I could not (sign), because Banky got to him first. That would have been amazing,” Don Jazzy said.

He added that he had the opportunity to sign Davido but discovered that the ‘Unavailable’ crooner would be a better musician on his own.

Don Jazzy further listed some talented singers he wished could have signed to include Falz, Simi, and Teni.

He said: “There are plenty of artistes I wish I could have signed. I like Simi. I did not sign but I wish I did. I like Teni. I had the opportunity for David, obviously. But I kinda figured that he will be fine.

“Again, Falz. I love his work. We almost actually had a deal but it did not work out.

“At the end of the day, you cannot sign every artiste. If I see an artiste now that I like, off the top of my head I am thinking (of spending) 50 to a 100 million in one year to actually get to somewhere. There is a lot of work and there are some artistes on your roster already.”

The Star