Popular music producer Don Jazzy has just 20% rights over famous Afrobeats singer, Ayra Starr.
Recall that in 2024, the music executive sold 80% of his record label, Mavin Records, to Universal Music; therefore, every artist under him is automatically signed under Universal Music as well.
This means that Mavin signee, Ayra, currently has solid ties to Universal Music and ROC NATION, owned by Jay-Z.
While the reason for Don Jazzy’s decision to sell off some of his company’s rights is still unknown, the move has led to Nigerian superstars like Rema and Ayra Starr clinching more collaborations with international artists across the globe.
It feels like a win-win situation for Don Baba J if you break down the numbers. Simply put, if more collaborations with international stars increase the profits gained from the artists, Don Jazzy’s share rises as well.
Bringing in Universal Music and ROC NATION was simply a necessary step to boost sales across the foreign markets, and it is further proof that Don Jazzy is one of the smartest music minds in the game.
Several Nigerian music fans criticized the decision to give international companies so much control over our precious Afrobeats sound, but looking back now, it is not a decision the music executive will regret anytime soon.
Folami David is a dynamic journalist who views the world through an analytical lens, translating complex narratives across multiple industries into compelling stories. With an insatiable appetite for information and a keen eye for emerging trends, Folami specializes in uncovering the interconnections between technology, business, culture, and society.
