Veteran Nigerian music producer and Mavin Records founder, Don Jazzy, has called on Nigerian musicians to overcome personal egos and embrace collaboration, stressing that teamwork remains essential to the continued growth of the Nigerian music industry.
The music executive, whose real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, shared his thoughts during an appearance on the On The Grind podcast, where he spoke about the declining culture of musical collaborations among Nigerian artistes.
According to Don Jazzy, the growing reluctance of some musicians to work with their colleagues could limit creativity, reduce opportunities and slow down the industry’s collective progress.
The renowned producer argued that being talented and versatile does not mean an artiste should operate independently or avoid working with other creative minds.
He encouraged musicians to put aside their pride, build meaningful professional relationships and recognise the benefits of combining different talents.
Don Jazzy particularly emphasised that no individual can achieve everything alone, using the popular expression that a tree cannot make a forest.
He noted that even artistes who can write songs, sing and produce their own music should remain open to collaborations because working with others can create something even greater.
Speaking from his personal experience, Don Jazzy explained that collaboration has been an important part of his career since he entered the music business.
The Mavin Records boss described himself as someone who strongly believes in teamwork and exchanging creative ideas, adding that collaborating with other musicians and producers is a practice he intends to maintain.
His comments have once again highlighted the importance of unity and professional relationships in an industry where competition, individual success and personal recognition sometimes take centre stage. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Nigerian music has experienced significant international growth, with artistes increasingly reaching audiences across different countries.
Collaborations between singers, producers, songwriters and performers have played an important role in expanding musical creativity and introducing artistes to new fan bases.
Don Jazzy’s message serves as a reminder that success in the entertainment industry should not always be viewed as an individual achievement. Building relationships and supporting fellow creatives can open doors to bigger opportunities for everyone.