Mavin Records

2012–2019: Founding, signings, and endorsement deals

Mavin Records started as a result of D'banj's departure from Mo' Hits. It was alleged that D'banj signed over Mo' Hits to Don Jazzy. In an interview with Sunday Punch, Don Jazzy addressed D'banj's departure from the label, 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. According to BellaNaija, the term "Mavin" describes someone who is gifted and skilled in any field. Mavin Records launched its official website and social networking site, the Mavin League, a day before its founding. After rebranding Mo' Hits to Mavin, Don Jazzy signed Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage in June 2012. In November that year, Pulse Nigeria reported that Mavin Records signed producers Aluko "Altims" Timothy and Sunday "BabyFresh" Enejere.

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, Mavin Records released "Take Banana" and "Oma Ga" as singles from its debut compilation album, Solar Plexus. In February 2014, Don Jazzy signed Di'Ja, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello to Mavin Records within a week of one another. On 1 May 2014, Mavin Records released the hit single "Dorobucci" to critical acclaim. On February 25, 2015, both Don Jazzy and Savage signed endorsement deals with Konga.com. On 31 October 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. On 28 February 2017, Don Jazzy announced the signings of Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, and DNA to Mavin Records. In January 2019, the label secured a multi-million dollars investment from Kupanda Holdings, a subsidiary of Kupanda Capital and TPG Growth. Rema's record deal with Mavin Records was announced in March 2019. Two months later, the label unveiled the signing of Crayon and released the collaborative single "All is in Order" the following day.

2020–present: Chapter X and UMG Acquisition

In 2020, Billboard magazine named Mavin Records one of the gatekeepers of the Nigerian music industry. On January 21, 2021, the label unveiled the signing of Ayra Starr. In December 2022, Mavin Records announced plans to hold an all-star concert and release its second compilation album, Chapter X. The album was executively produced by Don Jazzy and commemorates the label's 10-year anniversary. Chapter X comprises ten tracks and was released on 2 December 2022. The label's all-star concert, which occurred at the annual Livespot X Festival, was held on 16 December 2022. In February 2024, Universal Music Group acquired a majority share in Mavin Records. In October of the previous year, Billboard magazine revealed that Shot Tower Capital had valued the label above $125 million. Under the terms of the new deal, Don Jazzy and Tega Oghenejobo will continue to serve as the label's CEO and COO, respectively.

Wande Coal

Reports about Wande Coal's departure surfaced after he released and promoted the single "Kilaju" without the support of Mavin Records. On 5 November 2013, Wande Coal released the single "Baby Face" and said Shizzi produced it for him. Shortly after the song's release, Don Jazzy accused Wande Coal of intellectual property theft. He uploaded a studio demo of "Baby Face", which was supposedly recorded the previous year. Wande Coal debunked Jazzy's accusations against him and tweeted a link to the "original" version. In an interview with Premium Times newspaper, entertainment lawyer Demilade Olaosun spoke about the incident. Olaosun said Mavin Records owned the intellectual property because the song was produced, orchestrated, and voiced by an employee of the label. The lawyer also stated that since Wande Coal's recording contract was not made available to the public, speculations cannot be made about the song's intellectual property. Mavin Records formally announced Wande Coal's departure in a press release dated 7 November 2013. The press statement was issued not long after Don Jazzy and Wande Coal's Twitter feud.

Iyanya, Reekado Banks, Tiwa Savage, and D'Prince

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". On 7 December 2018, Reekado Banks announced his departure from Mavin Records and launch of his independent outfit, Banks Music. In May 2019, Universal Music Group announced the signing of Tiwa Savage. During the announcement, it was revealed that Savage left Mavin Records. Don Jazzy congratulated Savage on her UMG signing and said she will forever be remembered at Mavin. On 9 May 2020, Guardian Life Magazine reported that D'Prince exited the label following the expiration of his eight-year contract; he established Jonzing World prior to leaving. In an interview with Ifeanyi Ibeh on Twitter, D'Prince 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".

Current acts

Former acts

Current producers

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

DJ's

• DJ Big N

Albums

Singles