Nigerian music icon Don Jazzy has shared how close he came to abandoning his career after the sudden collapse of Mo’Hits Records in 2012. The award-winning producer and label boss revealed in a recent interview with Rolling Stone that the end of the label he co-founded with D’banj nearly pushed him to relocate abroad and give up on music entirely. According to him, the unexpected fallout left him devastated and unsure about his future.

Don Jazzy explained that supportive friends convinced him to stay in Nigeria and rebuild rather than walk away from the industry. That decision led to the birth of Mavin Records — a move that has since shaped the Nigerian music scene. “I thought that was the end,” he recalled. “I almost packed my bags. But friends encouraged me to stay and start again. Since then, I’ve learned not to let anything break me.” The experience, he said, made him mentally stronger and more resilient.

Following the Mo’Hits split, Don Jazzy relaunched his journey with Mavin Records, carrying along former members like Wande Coal, Dr SID, and D’Prince, while bringing in new stars such as Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Di’ja. Mavin went on to become one of Africa’s biggest and most successful music labels, setting trends and producing chart-topping hits.

Today, Mavin’s roster boasts a new generation of global talents including Rema, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Crayon, Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, Johnny Drille, and DJ Big N. These artists have propelled the label to international success, securing global collaborations and dominating streaming charts across continents.

In 2024, the journey took another major leap when Universal Music Group acquired a majority stake in Mavin Global, marking a huge moment for the Nigerian music industry. Don Jazzy’s comeback story remains a testament to perseverance, vision, and the power of believing in one’s craft even when things fall apart.