Music director and producer, Don Jazzy has donated two million naira to Funmi Lawal, the law student diagnosed with Malignant Sarcoma.

Lawal’s story made the headlines on August 20, 2012, with many soliciting help for her to stay alive. The cost of her full medical treatment was put at N4m.

Barely 24 hours later, Mavin Records CEO Don Jazzy, who has previously shown philanthropic tendencies, has, according to sources, donated half of the money.

Don Jazzy's Dad

A QMarkMag Exclusive. It is no news that the romance between Collins Ifeanyi Onwuneme Ajereh Enebeli And Patience Enebeli produced Micheal Enebeli (popularly known as Don Jazzy), James Enebeli, Joy Solano (married to Solano), and D’Prince (oh, sorry I never asked for his real name). Little did Collins know that the foundation of today’s success has been carefully crafted and executed by him when he gave birth to these kids turned stars.
Collins Enebeli was involved in everything from the production and presentation of the artists he managed, promoted, marketed, and publicly defended. Collins is a trustee, and founding executive member of AMAN (Artist Managers Association in Nigeria). This association brought together artist managers from all corners of Nigeria. A diverse organization which heralded new talented, business savvy, and intellectually creative minds of those years. The organization harmonized all existing forms of music in the industry from the mid 1980′s to the late 1990′s. Beside his commitment to managing, producing, promoting, and marketing artists, Collins was also at the front-line of war against piracy. His contributions, although unnoticed by many, energized Nigerian artists to vigorously defend their professional rights. He was one of the patrons of Vanguard For Musicians Rights (VFMR).

Check Out Excerpts of the interview he had with Jimmy:

Colin Enebeli

Sonde Jimmy: Tell me how your sons; Don Jazzy and D’Prince started their music career?

Their career was not a chance thing. What they are doing today did not start overnight. They grew up in the industry. I literarily took them along in my professional life. Once I identified their interest in music, and where I wanted to pitch my tent. I started grooming them to take over from me. I made sure they were exposed to the rudiments and challenges of the industry early in life. I encouraged their creative skills and vigor. They followed me to studios, events, rallies, workshops, concerts, TV stations, and I got them musical instruments and private trainers. I suggested that they join musical clubs and church choirs. I enrolled them in computer schools in both Nigeria and Europe because I recognized very early the future impact of technology, or the digital world. I made sure they read books from my showbiz library. I have books on
everything from artist management to biographies of successful artists-past or present. I made both
technological and intellectual resources available to my children. Whenever there was a family event like
a party, or any celebration; for example my wedding anniversary, I allowed my children to perform live
with a band to the delight of guests. They kept getting better and better, and I knew they would do
well with that kind of background. Besides, there were always showbiz stars around me and my home
at all times. At the slightest opportunity we had, they jammed with us just for fun. I had people like Nkono
Teles, Lemmy Jackson,Mosco Egbe, Toks Shotade and Paul Tao around me at the time. The bottom line was
for them to understand the biz behind the biz and to have the courage to keep taking the stakes higher
and higher because to whom much was given much is expected, and here we are..

Don Jazzy, & D'Prince

Jimmy: Were you in support of Don Jazzy’s music career at first?

I, myself and my wife are in total support of Don Jazzy’s music career from the on set and gave all the support we believed that as parents we are expected to provide.

Jimmy: Can you trace Don Jazzy’s achievements to any childhood trait or happening?

We knew from the time Don was born that he was going to be a music loving person and he had always
had access to good music from various world music genre considering that he was born into a music
loving family that have a long history of active paticipation in music business ventures and activism
from both my family side and my wife’s family side as well. My late dad was a bandleader in his youth
days when empire days used to be celebrated and he also played the grand organ in the cathedral of Holy
trinity church Onitsha in those days. My mum was a very good singer and was instrumental to making
me have collection of songs as she always had latest editions of record song books and knew all the songs
that were hits in both America and Uk and sang them all with ease as if she participated in the production. I grew up loving music with a strong passion. My wife on her own part is a good and very passionate singer with very strong interest in choral activities particularly in the church choir where we met and got married with Don as our first son. My wife’s father was also a well known choirmaster who was very famous in the eastern part of Nigeria for his exceptional choirmaster’s skills. At Don’s birth, there was so much music played around him that in his subconsciousness, he may have seen life as all about music and great beats. He started participating in the church choir at a very tender age and showed great interest in playing all musical instruments. I followed that up by providing all sorts of musical instruments at home and got music teachers intermittently to help sharpen their skills as it was more of a family fun thing but with a great expectation that the future will be definitely positive.

Jimmy: Tell me one thing you admire about Don Jazzy from childhood.

Don showed great sense of commitment to his interest in music and was and is still very creative, futuristic in his concepts and imagination. Once I noticed those attributes in him, I made sure I granted him access to meet with great musicians who I was working with then so that he could experience the studio culture and mingle with stars even before he was six years old. That was a source of additional inspiration for him to see those whom he appreciated working live in studio and he even participated in a production where he provided chorus and featured alongside other cast like Lemmy Jackson, NKono Teles, Paul Tao, ToKs Shotade, Basil Barap, Mosco Egbe, Enebeli Elebuwa e.t.c and many. other greats of that era who visited the studio while we were on call and appreciated his talent. People like Geraldo Pino,Tera Kota,Eric Kol Akaeze,Kim Lawani, Eddie Jay Omodiaogbe, Feladey, Hakeem Ikandu, Amadi Ogbonnaya of Vanguard News paper to mention but a few who at that time all saw him to be of a very promising future and hailed his talent.I admire Donjazzy’s cool headedness and humility coupled with his ever enthusiasm to move
on to the next level at all times. He is always coming up with something refreshingly different at
all times and not afraid to aim higher.

D'Prince

Jimmy: What was it like raising Don Jazzy? Has anything changed about him, I mean before and after he entered limelight?

Don Jazzy is not different from who he had always been. He is still the same person but stardom have made him less visible in public of which he was not really an outdoor person in the first place. Now that he have his own stable of artistes and his quest to make each of them unique in their own individual
right, he have become more busy considering the challenges of ensuring that he comes up with indisputably good beats and make his artistes successful.

Jimmy: Things Don Jazzy was fond of while growing up?

Don Jazzy’s main interest is his music. His first instrument was the harmonica mouth organ which he plays well . His mum bought him an acoustic guitar for his 9th birthday and he was always twanging it to relax and also plays the domestic grand casio beat bank piano we had at home. He plays the jazz drum well and is a champion percussionist. He also loves to sing in parts with his mum and have a rare vibrato voice. He also loves his mother’s cookery so much and always look forward to home food.

Jimmy: Let’s talk nature versus nurture. Is it that they just chose to be musicians, like what nature gave them, or you nurtured them since you were into music too?

I did not just nurture them into showbiz ’cause I was involved. I found out that they had passion for it and
were interested in following in my footsteps so I supported them as best as I could. I, on my part
did not just love music for music sake. My deep interest in music was more of the activism aspect to
ensure that music biz was not seen as just a biz for dregs of the society but should be seen as a real
responsible biz that must be engaged in by biz minded people and that was why, I threw my
weight behind efforts to ensure that there is proper structure and that rights of artistes are protected
against the backdrop of the infringement of their intellectual property rights.I am a patron of
Vanguard for musicians Rights. I consequently embarked on ensuring with other like minded
practitioners that proper professional artiste management culture thrives in Nigeria to better the
lot of Nigerian artistes who before now did not fully understand how commercially exploitable their work
can guarranttee food on their table. Most artistes who did not engage the services of competent artiste
managers unfortunately did not transform the wealth of their creativity or fame to wealth. I saw the need
for the biz behind the biz in the career of any artiste and that was why I am one of the trustees of artiste
managers association in Nigeria (AMAN) and had always been interested in the business of music and
related intermediary services. I know that my boys may have been influenced in one way or the other
by my activities and are well knowledgeable in these aspects and are not doing badly in engaging
the services of professionals in all they do in their career.

Jimmy: You had thought your Son, Don Jazzy could have gone this far?

As for my son coming this far as most people think, I thank God for the progress made but like Oliver
Twist wanting more, success have no limits. As far as there is life, We believe that by God’s grace that
there is still so much that could be achieved. With the kind of background that my boys have and their
know how in the biz, I am not surprised at their achievements and I keep praying like most parents
would do, for them to keep doing better and better. May God help them and other artistes too because it
is not easy to come this far and we do know that Rome was not built in a day.

You have to get concerned about the Mo Hits producer and honcho’s spending ways. Don Jazzy is a big spender – giving away thousands of dollars of Twitter and recharge card.  Sometimes are blatant showoff gimmick that he could do without. Anyways, he was on his big money spending ways over a month ago at the birthday gig for Wande Coal’s mom, done at the absence of D’banj.

Wande Coal’s mom was 50 years of age and at the gig attened by D’banj’s younger brother K-Swith, Da’Prince, their manager Sunday Are and Bankuli their right marker. Don Jazzy reportedly got on the dance floor and in typical Naija big boy ways, to show off again as he spreed Wande Coal’s mom with N1000 notes. The celebrant kept at it, dancing hard till it got the point where Don Jazzy cut it down to 100 Naira notes.  Don’t miss the expression on his face too – His frown as Wande’s mom smiled and kept dancing.

Don Jazzy and Wande's Mom.

Don Jazzy still at it.

Pictures courtesy GistMaster

Flavour.

Nigeria’s biggest east based artiste, Flavour Nabania is every rappers’ favourite after brilliantly pulling off the hit with the chorus to M.I.’s recent single – Number One.

The Enugu, Nigeria based artiste who came to the fore featuring on MC loph’s Osondi Owendu released a single titled ‘Obi na tumo’ and during a performance in Guinea, he was stunned to find out that the band he performed with knew the lyrics to his song which he sang in Nigerian Igbo language.

Early this year, He was on concert tours in major cities in USA and reportedly in a record deal with a subsidiary of Def Jam Records.

Taking to Twitter, The highlife/ R & B singer declared his desire to work with Mo’Hits president and Producer, Don Jazzy. The producer is responsible for hit tracks from D’banj, Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, Ikechukwu et al

He hopes to have a track off his album produced by the hit producer Don Jazzy. The mix of Flavour’s soothing voice and Don Jazzy ever moving beat is bound to be a favourite with fans.

D'banj, Snoopdogg and DOn Jazzy

The video for D’banj’s Mr Endowed is here and it features Snoopdogg, Shot in the United States by Sesan.
How many nephews would Snoopdogg have – anyways D’banj is his newest nephew. D’banj records new verses [playful enough that would move the audio around] for the remix and Don Jazzy tweaks the beat to fit Snoopdogg verse. The video brings the dime, just like Snoopdog likes it. Cameo appearance by Wande Coal and K Switch. Snoopdogg also bust funny dance moves.

D'banj, Snoopdog and Don Jazzy

The Speculation that the collaboration between D’banj and American rap royalty Snoopdog is false has been laid to rest as Don Jazzy tweeted a picture on his Twitter account with a picture taken with Snoopdog and himself on the set of the video in Los Angeles, US [as seen above].

…

The Video is produced by Luti Fagbenle and directed by Sesan Ogunro and the producer confirms this as he tweeted on January 11th that: “All set and ready to KILL this D’banj ft Snoop video!” Luti Fagbenle is partly Nigerian, born to a Nigerian father and British mother. The video director who has worked with American superstars like Flo Rida, Akon, Pitbull, N-Dubz, Alexandra Burke, Mr Hudson, Dizzee Rascal, Lemar, Craig David, Professor Green and Jedward started out as a model and actor then moved on to the hiring service, providing broadcast and film equipment to independent and short filmmakers.

Wande Coal and K Switch with Snoopdog.

UPDATE: We wrongly gave Luti credit as director. Luti Fagbenle is the producer while it is directed by Sesan Ogunro.

…

Dynamix All Youth Awards’ first edition took place five years ago converging thousands of youth at a venue and celebrating the brightest of them.

Later on, Telecoms company – Etisalat came on board as title sponsor and the event became the foremost youth celebrating ceremony. Just as the going got good for the organizers, widely reported act of soliciting for funds for wins by several nominees emerged,l questioning the awards’ credibility.

This year’s edition took place without the support of a sponsor besides red bull who had their rep hand out free cans of the energy drink. “We know Etisalat back out largely because of the allegations of incredibility”, a source close to the organizers informed.

The lack of sponsors this year was evident as the new Expo Hall was demarcated and assumably knowing the number of expected guest wouldn’t be compared to previous editions, organizers made use of half of the New Expo Hall.

In true Nigerian tradition, the red carpet proceedings started late as the event didn’t kick off till after 10 PM and press representative could be counted.

Unlike previous award ceremonies that took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites: Soundcity Music Video awards, MTV Africa Music Awards and Nigeria Music Video Awards, where  sizeable traffic was experienced at the gate of Eko Hotel and Suites, It was not the same for Dynamix Awards. At 11PM, the entry to Eko Hotels was deserted.

The award ceremony also suffered several criticisms from Attendees and Twitter users alike.

“Do you know he nominated his girlfriend in Caleb (university) at the last edition of the awards”, a Tweet read as the 2010 edition of the award ceremony that took place yesterday, 21 December was on going.

“I just don’t get it, I’m a nominee and getting entry into the award ceremony is becoming a situation”, a nominee for the Best DJ category informed.

Taking to Twitter, attendee rap artiste 2 Shotz said : “DYNAMIX awards was a collection of yahoo boys n their ashewo (prostituting) babes from different zones coming 2geda to celebrate dia (their) stupidity”

Just before he said: “Back home…thinkin.. hmmm!! DYNAMIX awards was a complete joke n waste of my fuckin time.”

Other Celebrities spotted at the event were Don Jazzy, Mo Cheeda, actress Tonto Dikeh, Ikon, Tiwa Savage, Ice Prince and Illbliss.

Winners that emerged at the awards yesterday were Tiwaworks for Entertainment Promoter of the year in the diaspora, Fuse Entertainment took two plaques home, Kas’ Fimile won Song of the year and DJ Neptune for Best DJ.

UPDATE: Winners that emerged on the night are:
Favourite Movie act of the year – Tonto Dike
Comedian of the year – Ovie
Best New artiste – Mocheddah
Most promising artiste – Wizkid
Song of the year – Fi Mi Le, KAS
Role model awards in sport – Obafemi Martins
Role model awards in music production – Don jazzy
OAP of the year – Toolz of Beat 99.9 FM
TV presenter of the year – VIXEN of STV
Most intelligent student – Enioda Joshua Unilag
Best Entertainment Promoter diaspora – Tiwaworks, USA
Best Youth Hangout – Rehab
Most enterprising – G12

Screen shot of a Blackberry conversation between award coordinator and a female nominee

See a few Tweets about the award:

@PlatinumBRICH: Dis is d last Dynamix Awards,after dis,Tunde won’t need to resurrect octopus Paul to tell him nt 2 try it again!”

@elbama: I c some pple dissing dynamix awards,sum of y’all go every year hoping to win and when u dnt win,u blast dem.

@Prodeegy: Wen people re talking about dynamix collecting money b4 giving awards, u shdnt talk! Yes u! Wat abt u? U pussy hawker! #YourKn

@DemiladeR: Dynamix is trending worldwide and the description is “The Razzest Nigerian Awards” LOL

@kannontheemcee #dynamix is bullshit!!! I dnt even hav 2 b in fuckn uni 2 no its shit! 2 me d awards is 4 futureless retards…no offense futureless retards

…

Let’s welcome Paul Octopus of African Awards. Soundcity Music Video Awards is taking on Africa – broadening her tentacles beyond Nigeria and in a bid to play Paul Octopus, Friends at Museke are predicting winners.

Best Male Video
Tough category here but I think the video here should be Strong Ting by Banky W though Don Kikas’ Continua Assim could pull a surprise. DaGrin is nominated and even Zimbawe’s Tinashe. 2face Idibia and Sarkodie round it out.

Best Female Video
Usual supsects Lizha James, Dama do Bling and Becca are all nominated and one of them will win it. I have a feeling it will be Becca with Fire.

Best Choreography
Pleasant surprise to Namibia’s Curtiz nominated. Fally Ipupa looks like a sure choice alongside Banky W. But, that Moza Girl video with Dama do Bling got some…. you know.

Best Special Effects
Overkilling killed it with the special effects. I think it will win though I expect Jr’s Show Dem to have a say in this matter.

Best Editing
I am not a technical guy so I will predict on sentiment here. I want Moza Girl to win.

Best Duo Or Group Video
It’s tough to see P-Square not winning this but Ghana’s VIP and Nigeria’s Styl Plus are back. And South Africa’s TearGas are on fire. Show De says you can’t Tell Me Nothing and Deep Level says We Run The City. Can’t beat P-Square though.

Best Cinematography
This category was simply made for Freshlyground. Fire Is Low wins.

Best Hip Hop Video
I have a feeling DaGrin will win this and I think he should. Excellent video - Pon Pon Pon.

Best R & B Video
Excited about Yvonne’s nomination! Da-Rey, I think, is the best African singer of recent memory but this category will go to Banky W for Strong Ting.

Best Pop Video
Interesting nominees but I think 2face Idibia should win this with Implication

Best Collaboration In A Music Video
It’s sweet to see JJC’s We Are Africans (Africa Rmx) nominated and I believe it will win. The Ghanaian nominees – D’Black and Sarkodie’s videos are strong contenders though.

Discovery Of The Year
If You Want Me by Mo’ Cheddah. Enuff said.

Best Video (voting)
The best video amongst these is really Strong Ting. Because I remember the video from start to finish.

Viewers Choice (voting)
Abi I am a viewer too? I’ll have to choose Safe by MI.

Best Western
Is this musician or video? Tough category and it’s nice to see Adiouza and Emmerson nominated. Maybe the Nigerian votes would split amongst 2face Idibia, Wande Coal and PSquare that will allow Samini to win? Unlikely. It’s 2Face Idibia’s time once again and I expect him to win.

Best Eastern
This is the easiest category I’ve had to deal with all day. Out of these 6, it’s really Wyre who’s semi-reigning this year. So, Wyre.

Best Southern
Lizha James might just win this because she seems to win most things. But I think this should beBlack Coffee

Best Central
Straight duel amongst Fally Ipupa, Barbara Kanam and Jumo Selesao. Fally’s popularity and visibility might just be too much for the others.

Hit Producer Of The Year (as Used In A Music Video)
Don Jazzy to win this with Bumper to Bumper by Wande Coal with the dark horse being every other nominee.

Soundcity Fresh Video
Wow! Fresh videos indeed. Let’s all vote for Mokobe, he made the video for his country Mali as they celebrate their 50th anniversary of independence. Wow! Nhi Ngugu Haladza from Tania Tome (Mozambique) is nominated? Wow. Easy win for D’banj’s Mr. Endowed. Unless, people actually don’t like the song’s lyrics and crown Mali Debout.

You can vote for your favorites now at http://www.soundcity.tv/smva/

MR JAIME LYNN, MR SHAHIN NOURI and MISS CHICHI NWOKO

As Nigerian Idol makes to start auditions next month, Project Manager Chichi Nwoko told journalists in Lagos this week that “TV audiences and music fans should get set for the biggest musical talent show of 2010”

Weeks after the official announcement of the show by the organizers, rumors started making rounds on what to expect for the show. Names of likely judges and hosts were already flying around. Possible options for judges according to those in the know are Cobhams Asuquo, Darey Art Alade, Joke Jaiyesimi, Don Jazzy, Steve Babaeko, Jimmy Jatt, OJB, Sound Sultan and Wunmi Obe. While possible hosts are Michelle Dede, Dayo Ephraim, Andre Blaze, Oreka Goddis, Yvonne Ekwere and Jason Nwoga.

“I really can’t say for sure who is hosting, sponsoring or who the judges are, but we will announce sometime next week.” Nwoko assures

She continues, “What I can say as a matter of fact is that auditions will kick off in Abuja, Lagos, Calabar, and Enugu in October,”

Usually Idols has three judges (as in the US version) or four (in the European version). The producers of Nigerian Idol say viewers should expect three judges.

The Idols franchise has been the most successful all over the world. Most Nigerians are familiar with Idol Judges like Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Ellen DeGeneres, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil “DR” Fox.

Who will become judges for the first ever Nigerian Idol, and who out of them will play good or bad guy?