Nigerian music executive and producer, Michael Collins Ajereh, has shared details about one of the most emotional moments in his career — the departure of singer Hadiza Blell from Mavin Records.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Crea8torium Podcast, the Mavin boss admitted that handling the situation personally was deeply painful and remains one of the hardest decisions he has ever made as a label executive.
According to Don Jazzy, the atmosphere during the conversation was heavy with emotion, as both he and Di’ja struggled to hold back tears. The renowned producer explained that he has always maintained a personal bond with every artiste signed to his label, often viewing them as family rather than just business partners.
“One of the most difficult decisions of my career was when I had to let Di’ja go. That was difficult, and I don’t think I will let any artist go again by myself,” he said.
The music mogul revealed that the emotional weight of the moment affected everyone present in the room. He added that Di’ja herself could sense how uncomfortable and heartbroken he was throughout the discussion.
“Everybody on my record label is like my child. So, that was hard for both of us. And she knew that it was hard for me. She even questioned the guys in the room why they had to involve me in that. All of us started crying. It was hard,” he recalled.
Don Jazzy further disclosed that because of how emotionally draining the experience was, he has since stepped away from personally handling difficult exit conversations with artistes. He noted that other executives within the label now oversee such matters.
Di’ja officially joined Mavin Records on February 14, 2014, during a major expansion phase for the label following the breakup of Mo’Hits Records. During her active years with Mavin, she became known for songs such as Awww, Yaro, and Falling For You. Between 2014 and 2017, she released several singles and an EP that helped solidify her place in Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene.
Although many fans believed she had quietly exited the label years ago, Di’ja later clarified in 2023 that she never formally left Mavin Records. According to the singer, life circumstances and personal priorities simply altered the direction of her career.
Don Jazzy’s recent revelation has sparked reactions online, with many fans praising the rare emotional honesty shown by the veteran producer, who is often regarded as one of the key figures behind the growth of modern Nigerian pop music.