The year 2012 marked a turning point for Nigerian pop music. That was when Mo’ Hits Records, the label built by D’banj and Don Jazzy, unexpectedly ended.
What had started in 2006 as a joint dream of two friends creating a new sound and grooming some of the era’s biggest stars unravelled in full public view.
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Mo’ Hits was more than a label. It signed acts such as Wande Coal, Dr SID, D’Prince and K-Switch, released hit-packed albums, and drew global interest with songs that travelled far beyond Nigeria. However, personal differences and competing visions quietly gathered behind the scenes until the partnership finally broke.
Don Jazzy confirmed the breakup on Twitter and quickly became one of the most talked-about events in Nigerian entertainment that year, ending a golden run and setting the stage for two influential solo careers.
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However, the label disbanded in 2012 due to several internal disagreements. Don Jazzy publicly confirmed D’banj’s departure on Twitter, attributing it to a difference in interests.
The split occurred at the height of the label’s success, sending shockwaves through the music scene and marking the end of a golden era.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the collapse of Mo’ Hits stemmed from Don Jazzy’s growing frustration with D’banj’s extravagant lifestyle, mood swings, and what was described as an unmanageable ego.
Don Jazzy found it increasingly difficult to continue working under such conditions.
Conversely, D’banj felt sidelined, believing Don Jazzy was devoting more time and energy to developing other artistes on the label while neglecting his own album, which had been scheduled for release later that year (2012).
Mo’ Hits Records
According to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the federal agency responsible for company registrations in Nigeria, the record label was incorporated on 12 May 2006 as a private company limited by shares.
The company’s registered address was Block 1, Flat 10B, Otedola Estate, Lagos State, and its initial share capital was 100,000 ordinary shares.
Documentation from the CAC revealed that D’Banj, residing at the same address, was allotted 30,000 shares.
Don Jazzy, also of the same address, received an equal allotment of 30,000 shares, indicating a joint ownership structure with a 50-50 split.
The company was registered under the “Entertainment Industry” business classification and assigned the registration number RC653135.
The label’s first official release was D’Banj’s debut album ‘No Long Thing’, followed by other successful projects such as ‘Rundown’ and ‘The Entertainer’, ‘Mushin 2 Mo’Hits’ by Wande Coal, ‘Turning Point’ by Dr SID, among others.
Before splitting, the label cemented its influence in the music by releasing a compilation album titled ‘Mo’Hits All Stars’.
At its peak, the label caught the attention of international stars such as Kanye West and Jay-Z. This global interest led to D’Banj signing with Kanye West’s GOOD Music before the label eventually ceased operations.
Some of the hit tracks released under the label include ‘Tongolo’, ‘Socor’, ‘Mobolowowon’, ‘Run Down’, ‘Why Me’, ‘Move Your Body’, ‘Why Me (Remix)’, ‘Pere’, ‘Ololufe’, ‘Booty Call’, ‘Fall in Love’, ‘Gbono Feli Feli’, ‘Kimon’, ‘Suddenly’, Entertainer’, ‘Olorun Maje’, and ‘Igwe.’
Post split controversy
This newspaper earlier reported that a private conversation between Mavin Records artiste Dr SID and singer Davido surfaced online following a leak seven months after the split.
In the secretly recorded exchange, Dr SID was heard expressing frustration, claiming that D’banj was overshadowing him and other members of the music crew.
Dr SID said agitatedly, “Why don’t they know my name? Because your brand and stardom are overwhelming, they overshadow everyone else.”
In response, Davido clarified that D’banj was pivotal in bringing the crew into the spotlight.
He said, “Guuuy, it’s not that, D’banj can help anybody. If not for D’banj, nobody would have looked at Wande, guy I dey lie? Men, I don’t know.”
However, this newspaper reported in 2017 that D’banj, during an interview on ‘The Truth With Olisa’, attributed the fallout within Mo’Hits Records to Dr Sid, claiming the latter was envious of his success.
According to him, Dr Sid felt overshadowed by him, which sparked underlying tensions within the group.
He added that the situation worsened after he and Don Jazzy secured a deal with American rapper and producer Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music label.
D’banj recalled that Don Jazzy was reluctant to embrace the opportunities in New York, preferring instead to remain in Nigeria, where they had already established themselves as industry heavyweights.
Matters came to a head during a general meeting in 2011, where all Mo’Hits members, including D’banj’s brother, K-Switch, agreed they no longer wished to work with D’banj.
Following their split, the Mo’Hits crew reunited on stage for the first time on 27 December 2017 during Davido’s 30 Billion Concert.
They also performed together at the wedding of rapper Ikechukwu Onunaku and his now ex-wife, model Ella.
Solo careers
The split marked the beginning of two separate yet influential solo careers.
Following the breakup, Don Jazzy established Mavin Records, initially signing Wande Coal, D’Prince, Dr SID, and Tiwa Savage.
Today, the label is home to some of Nigeria’s top music talents, including Rema, Ayra Starr, Crayon, Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, and Lifesize Teddy.
Meanwhile, Kayswitch aligned with his brother D’banj, who went on to found DB Records. Over the years, the label has signed several acts, including Kayswitch, producers Jaysleek and Deevee, the duo MossKriss and Ralph Kriss, and actress Tonto Dikeh.
READ ALSO: Role Don Jazzy played in my 20-year career — Dbanj
Despite their professional divergence, Don Jazzy revealed in a 2020 Instagram Live interview with Ubi Franklin, head of Triple MG, that he shared an exceptional working relationship with D’banj during their time together at Mo’Hits Records.
In 2024, D’banj acknowledged Don Jazzy’s pivotal role in shaping his music career.
During a visit to Don Jazzy, where he presented an invitation to his 20th anniversary dinner in the industry, he stated that his journey would be incomplete without Don Jazzy’s contributions.
He described the reunion as a nostalgic reminder of their shared milestones, adding that brotherhood, creativity, and unwavering support had defined their two-decade relationship.
