Nigerian music executive and record producer Don Jazzy has urged artistes to put aside their egos and embrace collaboration, warning that a thriving music industry cannot be built on individual talent alone.
The Mavin Records boss, whose real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, said the declining culture of collaboration among Nigerian musicians was a worrying trend that could affect the industry's growth.
Speaking on an episode of the On The Grind podcast, Don Jazzy stressed that no artiste, regardless of talent or versatility, could achieve lasting success entirely on their own.
He encouraged musicians to recognise the value of working with others, saying collaboration creates opportunities for artistic development and contributes to the growth of the wider industry.
“Most of Nigerian artists need to drop their pride, grow up and understand that no man is an island. A tree cannot make a forest,” he said.
He added that even artistes who could write, produce and perform their own music should remain open to working with others.
“If you are so talented and versatile and can write, produce and sing, kudos to you. But still, you need to collaborate. I am a fan of collaboration. I came into this business collaborating with people and I am forever going to keep collaborating. I understand the importance of collaboration,” he said.
Don Jazzy's comments highlight the importance of collective effort and partnerships in building a stronger and more sustainable music industry.
