Forbes’ list of the Top 10 African Acts For 2017 have been released and it features the following music acts; Akon, Black Coffee Hugh Masekela, Don Jazzy, Tinashe, Jidenna, Wizkid, Davido, Sarkodie, Mtukudzi. Forbes factored in their endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presence, influence and many more.
Profile of the top 10
1. AKON
Akon has over 35 million albums sold worldwide. He has won numerous awards including five Grammy Award nominations and has 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs under his belt. He tops the list according to Forbes Africa.
2. BLACK COFFEE, SOUTH AFRICA
The multi-award-winning artist’s real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo. He was born in South Africa’s house music province, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and raised in the Eastern Cape province, where Nelson Mandela hailed from, before moving back to KZN to study music.
3. HUGH MASEKELA, SOUTH AFRICA
Hugh was born in Witbank, east of Johannesburg. He has released more than 43 albums and performed with Marvin Gaye, Dizzy Gillespie, The Byrds, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Miriam Makeba.
4. DON JAZZY, NIGERIA
Don Jazzy is ranked fourth richest in Africa and also first in Nigeria. Like many artists, his real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, and he started playing music as a child in church before moving to the UK to pursue his career.
5. TINASHE, ZIMBABWE-AMERICAN
Tinashe was a child model by the age of three. The twenty-four-year-old sang before she could talk and made her first appearance in 2000 in the film Cora Unashamed. Her voice also starred in the cartoon feature film The Polar Express alongside Oscar-winning actor, Tom Hanks.
6. JIDENNA, NIGERIAN-AMERICAN
By the age of 10, Jidenna Theodore Mobisson knew he wanted to do music but was afraid to tell his father who wanted him to be an engineer. He is ranked sixth according to Forbes Africa.
7. WIZKID, NIGERIA
Wizkid is arguably currently the uncrowned king of African music. Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz, danced to his songs Ojuelegba and Caro, with Keys posting a video on her Instagram account with the caption, “This song makes me happy”. Kylie Jenner also posted a video of herself dancing to Wizkid’s music on Snapchat.
8. DAVIDO, NIGERIA
Davido has claimed a high status in just five years. He said it was people like P-Square and D’Banj who made him believe this was possible. He became famous for his widely acclaimed 2012 debut album “Omo Baba Olowo”.
9. SARKODIE, GHANA
Michael Owusu Addo started out as an underground rapper and through the help of Duncan Williams, his former manager, his career was launched. Staying true to his identity, he is a big advocate of Azonto, a Ghanaian genre that is said to have been born out of Kpanlogo, a traditional dance.
His first single off his fourth album, Mewu, sold almost 4,000 copies on the first day of its release in Ghana. He was also the first Ghanaian to win a BET award.
10. OLIVER MTUKUDZI, ZIMBABWE
Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi has 65 albums under his belt, more than the legendary Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. It’s a remarkable career stretching back 41 years with songs that have enlivened parties all over the world. He is ranked 10th richest musician in Africa.
Signing of the year! Iyanya joins Mavin Records
One of the biggest signings in the history of Nigerian Music. Award-winning artiste, Iyanya has joined the Don Jazzy-led Mavin Records. The announcement was made on their instagram accounts some hours ago.
“The SUPREME MAVIN DYNASTY is pleased to welcome @Iyanya to the ever growing Mavin Family. Pls join us to welcome him and let the world know that we #Up2Sumting. #MavinActivated” Don Jazzy wrote.
Iyanya confirmed the new development saying “Mavin Activated. Up to something”.
The Mavin Records squad features Tiwa Savage (who recently joined Jay-Z’s label) Korede Bello, Di’ja, Reekado Banks, Dr Sid, D’Prince.
Who wore it better? RMD or Don Jazzy
That is not even a question.
So A-list celebrities, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Don Jazzy were in Scotland for an event and then paid homage to the tradition by donning Scottish kilts.
Cool stuff!
C&S Church honours Don Jazzy
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Who knew producer Mavin record boss, Michael ‘Don Jazzy’ Collins was a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim church? The maverick music producer was honoured over the weekend by the church during her 90th anniversary at the Nigeria Institute of Sports, National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
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Who knew producer Mavin record boss, Michael ‘Don Jazzy’ Collins was a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim church? The maverick music producer was honoured over the weekend by the church during her 90th anniversary at the Nigeria Institute of Sports, National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
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When asked by a fan on social media if he is truly a member of the church, he answered in the affirmative. His father also shared some of his son’s old pictures on Facebook.
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#WhenYouFinallyBlow: Don Jazzy dishes advice to upcoming acts.
There is no doubt that award-winning music producer cum artiste, Micheal Collins, popularly called Don Jazzy is one of the most revered entertainers in the Nigerian music industry.
The brain behind several monstrous hits in Nigeria, Don Jazzy’s humility has endeared him to thousands if not millions of music fans. The Glo ambassador’s success can never be overlooked. He however deemed it necessary to dish out piece of advice to upcoming acts on the need to befocused and show respect to others.
He said, “Dear up-and-coming artists, the real job starts when you finally blow. Know that there is a huge difference between carrying yourself like the new star you are and being an a*$hole.
“Pray against the ‘don’t you know who I am? I am a celeb spirit. Don’t be in a hurry to move to Lekki. It’s not that serious. Plenty fake people out here. You don’t need to smoke weed or take some next ish to help write songs. I have over 100 hits and I don’t smoke it.
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“When you finally blow, it will do you a lot of good to know that it won’t last forever. No be curse. There is absolutely nothing wrong with referring to yourself as an upcoming artist/producer. I still am. When you finally blow, to the point where you have your own company, carry your guys up with you. It’s not beans but try.
“When you finally blow, fine ‘lepas’ (skinny girls) will ask you to exchange n@des; hmmm, it’s a trap. Don’t let flying first class/private jets become a habit. You go drink garri when hits no come o. No be everybody wey no like your song be hater. Sometimes, our songs no go sweet to some people, e dey happen. When you finally blow, tithe/taxes very important. Respect the legend 2Face Idibia.”
Photo: Don Jazzy might have transformed into a woman too.
Inspired by Bruce Jenner’s gender transition, ace producer, Don Jazzy now wishes to be addressed by a new name. “Oya o call me Dorcas Jasmine or NoseMary ����”. He captioned the above photo on instagram.
LOL
Mercy Johnson to release new single with Don Jazzy
Actress, Mercy Johnson can sing? This has to be the revelation of the year! The beautiful mother of two is about becoming a double threat. Tiwa Savage, Waje and other Nigerian divas take note, MJ is the new kid on the block.
She posted a picture of herself and Don jazzy at the just-concluded Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards held in Lagos and then announced the collaboration on her twitter page. “With @DONJAZZY at AMVCA…watch out for my single…its Don Jazzy again!”
We really don’t know if Don Jazzy is producing the track or he’s featuring in the song. Whichever way, we can’t wait to listen. Who knows, a collaboration with Tonto Dikeh might be in the offing.
Don Jazzy always changes the station whenever he hears me on radio- D'banj | Watch the rest of The Truth.
If you missed the Part 1 of D’banj’s video interview with Olisa Adibua on “THE TRUTH With Olisa”- Olisa.Tv you’ve missed a lot. Well, you can still watch it.
Olisa.TV brings you the remaining (Part 2) of the interview – which is even much more sensational and revealing than the Part 1! A small sample of the many topics covered:
-D’Banj said that that Don Jazzy told him that whenever he hears his voice
on the radio he always changes the station
-He talks about what he is planning for this year to celebrate his 10 years
in the business
-He discussed his public support of President Goodluck Jonathan and the
controversies about it including whether he was paid
– The conversation between D’Banj and Olisa became very heated when Olisa
started questioning D’Banj on the success of his music since Oliver Twist
-It seemed that a ‘raw nerve’ had been touched, and D’Banj threatened to
walk out of the interview!
– These and many other questions including:- allegations of court cases and
debts, his relationship with Kanye West, Genevieve Nnaji, the possible
reunion with Don Jazzy, and various other topics were covered. The video is
a must-see!
VIDEO LINK: http://www.olisa.tv
Genevieve Nnaji, Don Jazzy, Davido, Iyanya others take the #IceBucketChallenge (Photos)
Genevieve Nnaji, Don Jazzy, Davido, Iyanya, Peter Psquare have joined other high-profile figures worldwide in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. You must have seen pictures and videos of celebrities pouring buckets of icewater over their heads recently. It started in America and the aim is to raise as much money as possible for charity; for the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ) Association to be specific.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and Motor Neurone Disease, is a disease that attacks the spinal cord and can lead to speech difficulties, muscle spasms and even paralysis. It affects an estimated 30,000 people in the US and 5,000 in the UK.
Celebrities who have also taken the challenge include Bill Gates, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, David Luiz, Anderson, Pique, Shakira, Emmanuel Adebayor to mention a few.
Filmmaker, Charles Novia lists 10 things wrong with Dorobucci video. Don Jazzy reacts
Seasoned filmmaker/actor, Charles Novia recently aired his opinion about the newly-released Dorobucci video. He listed 10 things wrong with it. According to him, it’s a “Great song, hit song. But the video wasn’t all that IMO.” Below are his tweets:
(1) Cinematography was cool. Concept was skewed. Video only sizzled at the beginning when Don Jazzy had his bit. The Head Honcho. However…
(2) Because it’s an ensemble song, to shoot an ensemble video requires more than what was given. The dysfunction started from the locale
(3) A song composed and hitting all nooks in Nigeria gets its video shot in South Africa. The organic steam of the track got lost in the vid
(4) The vid lacked the energy and originality of a Nigerian earthy dance visual. The SA dancers were just glib. That beat is unique to Naija
(5) There was a lack of charisma too in the ensemble segments. Only IDJA and Tiwa had screen presence. Others looked overwhelmed.
(6) Then, like that same house in Enugu they shoot those Osuofia movies over n over, the house in the Doro vid did look like the one P2 used?
(7) Or maybe it was bc the crowding of girls on the patio looked like the ‘Testimony’ concept? An overused concept though. Anyway…
(8) It was a good visual effort 4 a fantastic audio hit. But it cld have been better. Maybe a Sesan or Clarence could have interpreted better
(9) Just my thoughts. But anyday, I doff my hat for Don Jazzy’s musical ingenuity. 1of the greatest producers ever in Naija’s music history
(10) Total score for Doro video (over 10 in each category): concept: 4, cinematography: 9, interpretation: 5 originality: 4, choreography: 4
He also added. “And my opinion is basically my opinion. I nor force am for your throat. All said, go watch the ‘Dorobucci’ video and support Naija music”
Don Jazzy’s reaction.
“Points taken Bo$$. We ll definitely use them to make future projects better. Thanks a lot. #BeBetter #Mavin #Naija”
I’m sure most of you were expecting him to blow his tops or lambast him.