Why I avoid the media —Don Jazzy

Top Nigerian producer, Michael Collins, aka Don Jazzy, is arguably Nigeria’s most sought-after record label owner and music business mogul. In this interview with journalists, the Mavin’s boss talks about the secrets of his success, his upcoming Christmas concert, relationship status and other issues

JOAN OMIONAWELE brings the excerpts.

Your record label is set to hold a concert on December 23 and you revealed that you had been planning for the concert for three years, why did it take you so long?

It’s not as if we stalled for three years, but I have been planning things in my head but it is now that we are going live.

Why did you decide to do a concert this year? People thought you will do something after  Mohits fell apart.

We did not have any content then, I am a perfectionist.   I have to be sure I am not doing something  until I have what it takes. I could have said I had a concert to do and our fans will attend, but we wouldn’t have had any content.

Are we going to see a surprise act this year?

I don’t understand what you mean.

Will Dbanj be there?

I cannot categorically tell you that Dbanj will be there, but he hasn’t called me to say,  o! boy,  you dey do show too, I go come o, but right now, he is not billed to be on the show.

Will you collaborate with Dbanj soon, considering the fact that 2face specifically asked for it?

It is possible. When we both settle down and agree to do it, we will sing a song together. He is a very busy person, who travels from UK to US and other countries and I am busy with my new artistes, but we will work on something as soon as we can work on something.

Do you think you can work together again?

For me, nothing is impossible, we will work together again.

Are we expecting any international artiste?

No, I don’t have such plans. Of course you will see other artistes like Psquare, Timaya, Olamide, but you will see Mavins and friends, although it’s a Mavin’s concert

Is there any surprise for fans on that day... for instance, we saw a judge jazzy show you were doing on Twitter, can you explain that?

Oh...that was just for fun, but people have started calling me and saying that we should turn it into a TV show, but I was just jonzing on the internet, but if I feel I can stand the camera, why not?

If someone  aspires to work with you, how can the person go about it?

The person needs to have the talent first, then you need to find me, preferably on the internet, follow me on twitter and if I follow you in return, we chat and you can send me your materials, I will listen, but I would not listen to you if I feel that you may be a trouble maker, because some people can tell you that  you have used their track to make a song on your own and start making noise on social media

You are known for your large heart and philantrophy on twitter, don’t you feel you should unveil or set up a foundation to help more people?

I don’t really trust people, I think people just fake it or try to collect money from me, a lot of people have been talking about it, but it’s not a priority for me.

We heard someone slammed you and Iyanya  with a law suit, saying his song, Gift, was stolen recently and is it true you offered to pay in order for the case to die down?

Me? Who? I am just hearing that for the first time.  Iyanya sang the song we are talking about, why don’t you go looking for Iyanya, I only featured in the song. I don’t know anything about it

The writer of the song claims that he wrote the song ‘Gift’ and Iyanya bought if from him.

No, he can’t really say that. He must have slammed a law suit that resulted in a missed call because I have not gotten any invitation from any lawyers.

When are we seeing albums from your newest Mavin musician, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello and Dija?

If you ask them now, they will tell you that they do not want any collaboration, because the way this industry is, people drop albums and go down.

What is going on with the Prince? He hasn’t released any new song

Wow, he has been working, have you heard on your own? Okay, we will release two new songs this week because of you.

What is the secret of your success?

I think it’s just hard work.

Will you ever release an album?

Hmm, for now, I am not releasing any album, maybe if I am given money, I will think about it.

You sound as if you like money a lot...

That’s not the point, I actually don’t. I like money, but it’s not that bad.

Do you charge people for music collaborations?

No, I have never. I am honoured to be on any track you see me feature in.

But do you select people you do collaborations with?

Well, I think I have done collaborations with almost everyone who has asked me.

When will Don Jazzy get married?

I have friends, I don’t have a girlfriend now.

When last were you in a relationship?

One year ago.

What happened?

Nothing, we are on break now. We do that all the time. I had been dating her for six to seven years and we go on break all the time

So when will you tie the knot?

I fit marry and una no go know o. I don’t know why people think I will ring a bell and announce that I am getting married, I am not really that kind of a public person

Why do you avoid media interviews?

Because I do not know how to talk to people, for instance, see how you people have ambushed me, you just caught me now and ambushed me. With all sincerity, I am just an ordinary person trying to promote my artistes to the people. So, imagine if I am in the forefront stealing the shine off my products, then you won’t feel the good artistes I am trying to promote. Assuming I am a baker selling bread, you are not coming to my bakery to buy the baker but the bread. Most time if we are out there, journalists want to talk to me and leave out some of my artistes. That’s why I mostly decline granting  interviews and prefer they talk to the artistes.

Aside music business, what else does Don Jazzy do?

I sell things and invest my money in real estate; I like social media a lot and I like to develop with people who work on the internet too.

You interact with your fans on social media a lot, how do you sieve the people you talk to or even find the time to talk to them

Why am I sieving them?  If you initiate a nice conversation, we would talk, if you are not worth it, I will move on. I have met great people online, and who knows, you might just be having a conversation with the emir of Kano, you can never tell.

A walking stick used to be your trademark, but you don’t use it anymore, where is it?

One has to continuously rebrand, it’s not safe to do something over and over again. So the walking stick is at home, I will most likely carry it again during the Mavin’s concert.

When are we getting your first single alone

I don’t know about that for now. I have young musicians who need to blow. I am happy bringing up budding acts up for now, I don’t feel the need to lord myself on people. I already feel I am singing too much. My artistes are really growing and until the point I can say I am satisfied, I wouldn’t stop, so once I feel they can stand alone or give me space, then I can do something on myself, I am not a performing artiste.

What do you think will be the fan experience for the Access Bank-sponsored Mavin’s concert?

I just want to connect with my fans and mingle with people who have identified with the Mavins over the years. It will be like a carnival in a beautiful environment where people will be thrilled with different artistes in different points, as well as djs. It has never been done in Nigeria, so we are hoping for the best

Why is it just N500, considering the fact that people will be ready to pay more?

It’s N500 because we want to have a unique, carnival-like show, it would have been free if I had my way because it’s not about money but our fans. We have made security and parking arrangements at Eko Atlantic, because it’s a beautiful place with a capacity which can take over 10,000 people comfortably.

I know there will be lots of concerts this year, but we plan to introduce new ways for our fans to connect with us. This is our first time, there will be mistakes. For this year, we have made provision for emergencies, parking spaces, security and other logistics.