Mavin Records

Mavin Records started as a result of D'banj's departure from Mo' Hits. Prior to commenting on D'banj's exit from Mo' Hits, there were allegations that D'banj signed over Mo' Hits to Don Jazzy.^[10] In an interview with Sunday Punch, Don Jazzy addressed D'banj's departure from Mo Hits, saying, "We were working together, and all was going well." It got to a point where I looked at the situation and we both decided that it was not working, and we had to move on. Don Jazzy alluded to being hesitant about a name change.^[11] According to BellaNaija, the term "Mavin" describes someone who is gifted and skilled in any field.^[12] Upon establishing the rebranded record label, Don Jazzy said he sees Mavin Records as the powerhouse of music in Africa in the shortest possible time.^[12] After rebranding Mo' Hits to Mavin, Don Jazzy signed Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. Pulse Nigeria reported that Jazzy admires the singer's work ethic and drive.^[13] Pulse Nigeria also reported that Mavin Records signed producers Aluko "Altims" Timothy and Sunday "BabyFresh" Enejere.^[14]

On May 7, 2012, the record label launched its official website and the Mavin league, a social networking site designed to cater to their fans worldwide.^[15][16] Don Jazzy signed endorsement deals with Samsung and Loya Milk after establishing the label; Savage also signed an endorsement deal with Pepsi. Within a year of becoming a revamped brand, the record label released "Take Banana" and "Oma Ga" as singles from their debut compilation album, Solar Plexus.^[17][18] In February 2014, Don Jazzy signed Di'Ja, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello to Mavin Records a week after each other.^[19] On May 1, 2014, Mavin Records released the hit single "Dorobucci" to critical acclaim.^[20] On February 25, 2015, Don Jazzy and Savage both signed endorsement deals with Konga.com.^[17] On October 31, 2016, several media outlets in Nigeria reported that Iyanya signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Both Iyanya and Don Jazzy confirmed the report on Instagram.^[21] On February 28, 2017, Don Jazzy announced the signings of Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, and DNA to Mavin Records.^[22] In March 2019, he also announced the signing of Rema to Mavin.^[23] On May 31, Mavin Records unveiled the signing of Crayon.^[24] The next day, the record label released the collaborative single "All is in Order".^[25] On January 21, 2021, Mavin Records unveiled the signing of Ayra Starr.^[26]

Reports about Wande Coal's departure surfaced after he released and promoted the single "Kilaju" without the support of Mavin Records.^[27] On 5 November 2013, Wande Coal released the single "Baby Face" and said Shizzi produced it for him. Subsequently, Don Jazzy went on Twitter and accused Coal of intellectual property theft.^[28] He uploaded a studio demo of "Baby Face," which was supposedly recorded the previous year. Wande Coal tweeted several times, debunking Jazzy's allegations.^[28] He also tweeted a link to the "original" studio version of the song.^[28] Entertainment lawyer Demilade Olaosun spoke to Premium Times newspaper about intellectual property (IP). He said the song is a property of Mavin Records since it was produced, arranged and voiced by an official of the label.^[28] The lawyer also stated that since Wande Coal's recording contract was not made available to the public, speculations cannot be made about the IP of the recording sound.^[28] On 7 November 2013, Mavin Records sent out a press release officially announcing Wande Coal's departure. The press release came shortly after the Twitter feud between Don Jazzy and Wande Coal.^[28]

In a radio interview with Beat FM in February 2018, Iyanya announced his exit from Mavin Records, saying, "I'm now signed to Temple Music, but I'm a Mavin for life. It was not a beef. I was there, and it was time to move on".^[29] On 7 December 2018, Reekado Banks announced his departure from Mavin Records; he also launched Banks Music, his independent outfit, on Instagram.^[30] In May 2019, Universal Music Group announced the signing of Tiwa Savage.^[31] During the announcement, it was revealed that Savage left Mavin Records.^[31] Don Jazzy congratulated Savage on her UMG signing and said she will forever be remembered at Mavin.^[32] On 9 May 2020, Guardian Life Magazine reported that D'Prince exited Mavin Records following the expiration of his eight-year contract; he ended up establishing Jonzing World. In an interview with Ifeanyi Ibeh on Twitter, he said, "My record deal with Mavin Records ended on 8 May 2020, and it has been an amazing 16 years under my brother Don Jazzy".^[33]

• Don Jazzy
• Altims
• Babyfresh
• London
• Andre Vibez

• DJ Big N