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Music legend and Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, has set social media buzzing after revealing his Top 5 greatest Afrobeats albums of all time — and it’s as bold, nostalgic, and confident as you’d expect.
Unveiled as the cover star of Rolling Stone Africa’s October issue, the 42-year-old mogul wasted no time when asked for his all-time favorites. “Number one, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits, produced by me,” he began. “Then Grass 2 Grace by 2Baba, Superstar by Wizkid, The Entertainer by D’Banj, and Aṣa’s debut album.”
No hesitation. No preamble. Just a clean, classic list from one of Afrobeats’ most defining figures — a producer and entrepreneur whose fingerprints are all over the genre’s golden moments.
The albums that built an era
For Don Jazzy, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits will always be special. Released in 2009, the album not only launched Wande Coal into superstardom but also redefined what a Nigerian pop album could sound like. Every record — from “You Bad” to “Bumper 2 Bumper” — still electrifies dance floors and serves as a blueprint for today’s stars.Then there’s Grass 2 Grace by 2Baba, a 2006 masterpiece that cemented his status as a global icon after “African Queen.” Superstar by Wizkid followed in 2011, introducing a new era of cool confidence and helping push Afrobeats to the global stage.
His inclusion of D’Banj’s The Entertainer (2008) was a love letter to an unforgettable time — when Don Jazzy and D’Banj ruled the airwaves with chart-topping bangers. And rounding out his list, Aṣa’s self-titled debut (2007) adds heart and soul — a reminder that Nigerian music’s beauty lies not only in rhythm but also in storytelling and introspection.
A map of Afrobeats evolution
With those five albums, Don Jazzy didn’t just name favorites — he traced a lineage. From grassroots hustle to global triumph, from Lagos streets to the world stage.He also revealed his Top 5 Afrobeats songs of all time, admitting the choice wasn’t easy: African Queen by 2Baba, Ojuelegba by Wizkid, Fall in Love by D’Banj, Gongo Aso by 9ice, and Aye by Davido. Each one, a certified anthem that defined a generation.
Don Jazzy on Afrobeats’ future
When asked about what’s next for the genre, the Mavin CEO was characteristically optimistic.“We’re still just getting started,” he told Rolling Stone. “Some think Afrobeats is slowing down, but the world hasn’t even heard half of what Africa has to offer. The sounds will keep evolving — new stars will rise and take it further.”
But beyond beats and melodies, Don Jazzy says the real story is in the people.“Beyond the music, I focus on the vessel — the person,” he explained. “Their personality, hunger, and vision matter. You can’t always predict who’ll blow, but you can feel who truly wants it. Most don’t even realise how big their dreams can become until time unfolds.”
Legacy and longevity
He’s not wrong. Afrobeats has grown from a local sound to a global movement, and Don Jazzy has been at its core every step of the way. In the past year alone, Mavin stars Rema and Ayra Starr have become two of Africa’s biggest exports, earning Grammy nods and performing on world stages.Few people understand Afrobeats like Don Jazzy — from founding Mo’Hits to shaping Mavin into a powerhouse label. Two decades on, his influence remains as strong as ever.
And with his latest list, he’s reminded everyone of what makes Afrobeats truly timeless: legacy, evolution, and that unshakable rhythm that refuses to fade.
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