D’Banj, veteran Nigerian recording artiste has recounted how Don Jazzy and he built success through their record label, Mo’Hits Records, in the early 2000s.
In a recent interview, D’banj opened up about how he and his former manager, Don Jazzy, deliberately crafted a narrative that positioned Jazzy as the silent force behind the movement, even though both were equal partners.
“At the time, they didn’t nominate Mo’Hits for awards despite our success,” D’banj said. “We realized we were the only label heads who were also the artists and producers. So we needed people to fear us.”
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To make that happen, D’banj said they made a conscious decision to let Don Jazzy take the mystery role — silent, serious, and untouchable.
“Every time I whispered in his ear on stage, we weren’t saying anything,” D’banj revealed. “It was branding. We trusted each other enough to play our roles. Jazzy didn’t need to talk — his presence said everything.”
He recalled one key moment that sealed the plan: their first big show with a major audience, attended by Lagos elites and even political leaders. As Don Jazzy walked out, D’banj prostrated fully in front of him on stage.
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“I bowed down to him publicly — on purpose. That moment changed everything. People started thinking he signed me. They didn’t know it was a 50-50 partnership.”
According to D’banj, it was all part of a master script they wrote and executed — and it worked.
The History of Mo’Hits Records
Mo’Hits Records (popularly called Mo’Hits) was a Nigeria-based music record label owned by D’banj and Don Jazzy. According to Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mo’Hits Records Limited was founded in 2006, signing D’banj as its first recording artist. Don Jazzy was the CEO/President of the label, and D’banj was the Co-Owner. The label went on to sign other artists, including Wande Coal, Dr SID, D’Prince, and K-Switch. The label specialised in Afrobeat.