Looks like 8 is the magic number for today.
The number of years we enjoyed the genius called Mo’Hit Records.
When D’banj and Don Jazzy, fresh from the UK burst onto the Nigerian music scene in 2004, they changed the scene and ruled the game for 8 solid years.
In those years, they gave us classic albums like Curriculum Vitae, No Long Thing, The Entertainer, Mushin 2 Mohits, and Turning Point.
The music industry had to deal with a rude shock when the principal actors and founders of the label; D’banj and Don Jazzy went separate ways.
Let’s not dwell too much on the Mohit’s era else we will sleep here.
The number of years Mavin Records has stood tall.
It is during difficult times that you can tell the strength of a warrior. When the Mo’Hits chapter closed in 2012, Don Jazzy didn’t just sit and mourn his losses or the end of an era, he had to re-strategize and restart from ground zero. The result was a brand new record label – Mavin Records. Who else announces a new record label with an entire album if not Don Jazzy?
People hate change so it wasn’t a surprise to see people taken aback when the new label was announced. Some felt it was dead on arrival, others thought it was just an unnecessary experiment. The compilation album – Solar Plexus had a lot of great songs in it but a lot of fans were still grieving over the end of an era and wouldn’t listen just yet.
Despite the concerns and lukewarmness from various quarters, Don Jazzy managed to start demystifying himself. He dusted the dirt off his shoulder and led his new crew made up of majorly familiar faces to media rounds. Mavin Records invested in merch and went straight into business.
Getting Tiwa Savage on board as the new face in the crew was also a killer move. She complimented Wande Coal, Dr. SID, D’Prince, and Don Jazzy so well. It wasn’t long before we had a full-blown movement on our hands.
The 8th day of May
May 8 every year will now be celebrated as the anniversary of Mavin Records. That was the day in 2012 when Don Jazzy announced his new label with the Solar Plexus album.
This is 2020 and Mavin Records is 8 years in the business. The same number of years Mo’Hits Records was in the business. The difference here is that Mavin Records will be around for a long time.
To celebrate the genius that Don Jazzy is and the movement that Mavin Records is, here are my top 8 favourite songs from the Mavin Records Era:
Korede Bello – Do Like That
This song was a big hit in Nigeria but a bigger hit everywhere else. Korede doesn’t get the accolades he deserves.
Mavins (Don Jazzy, Reekado Banks, Di’ja, Korede Bello) – Adaobi
Don Jazzy often claims he is not a singer but this song proves otherwise. Reekado Banks also gave a great account of himself on this one too. Di’ja and Korede Bello didn’t do bad either but Reekado Banks and Don Jazzy owned this one. This song will be six years old song, wow!
Mavins (Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr. SID, D’Prince, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di’Ja) – Dorobucci
Don Jazzy is not anyone’s mate. He coined the word “Dorobucci” and made it one of the most popular words in the Nigerian pop-culture scene all through 2014.
Reekado Banks came with a killer hook on this one and the entire Doros came through too.
Korede Bello ft. Tiwa Savage – Romantic
In my opinion, this is one of the greatest love songs of this generation.
The synergy between Korede Bello and Tiwa Savage on this one blew minds. I really want to see more Tiwa – Korede collabos.
Korede Bello gave us some dope Alex Zitto vibes on this one and this song is evergreen.
Kudos to Don Jazzy for an inspiring production.
Rema – Dumebi
Another banger! This one was an instant hit. A proof that a King was born once the self-titled EP from Rema dropped alongside his activation as a Mavin.
Dumebi changed the game and put Rema on such a high pedestal in such a short time.
Ozedikus came through with an amazing production on this one.
Korede Bello – Godwin
I can’t remember another Nigerian song that shut down clubs and was a favourite in churches.
‘Godwin’ will forever be a masterpiece by Don Jazzy and Korede Bello. This song also birthed and institutionalized Korede’s fanbase – The Bellovers.
Tiwa Savage ft. Wizkid – Bad
These two don’t make bad songs. A combination that always works. Tiwa Savage’s ‘Bad’ is grown and sexy music.
It gave fans a better insight into what a Wizkid and Tiwa collabo can do.
Korede Bello – Mungo Park
A funny feel-good song by Korede Bello, Mungo Park gave us a look-in at Korede’s sense of humor.
Produced by Don Jazzy, Mungo Park was yet another proof that Don Jazzy and Korede Bello is a formidable team.
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If you want to enjoy some of my other favourite songs from Mavin Records, check out this playlist on Apple Music.
Once again, happy 8th anniversary to all the great guys at Mavin Records.