Mavin Records founder Michael Collins Ajereh, also known as Don Jazzy, has stated that his driving force is the memory of selling akara with his mother in Ajegunle.

He was a guest on the Zero Conditions podcast, where he talked his childhood experience of selling akara with his mother hoping the ‘big customers’ would notice him and offer him money.

The music producer who said that period in his life shaped him, added that he doesn’t believe most people who say they suffered really did.

Speaking on his humble beginnings, Don Jazzy said; “I remember it like it was yesterday… I remember sitting down with my mum frying akara there, sitting on the bench there in Ajegunle, and any big man that passes by with their Peugeot 504 or Mercedes 230 or whatever and they come to buy akara.

I also remember the thought in my head, ‘I wish this man would just look at me and go Young boy just take this, I know that you need it’ or something like that.”

The music executive further said that now that he is successful, his experience has made it impossible for him to meet any person without helping in some way or without giving back to the community.

Don Baba J said he sees himself in any person he meets who is struggling and is moved to help in any way.

“I have a problem with people meeting me and not getting impacted,” he explained.