Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigerian music executive and Mavin Records founder, Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has made a heartfelt revelation about the profound impact Grammy-nominated singer Ayra Starr has had on his life and career, declaring that she has "most definitely changed my own life too" while recalling the day he discovered her through an Instagram freestyle. The Mavin boss made the statement on Thursday, August 20, 2026, while reacting to a post by an X user, @_Fabianszn, who shared an old picture of the singer and praised Don Jazzy for helping to launch her career. The user had written, "Don Jazzy really saved Ayra Starr if not she for still dey teach kindergarten children", a comment that prompted the music executive to reflect on their journey together and acknowledge the reciprocal nature of their relationship.
Responding to the post, Don Jazzy disclosed that Ayra Starr had also made a significant impact on his own life, recounting how they met through an Instagram freestyle before he signed her to Mavin Records. He wrote, "I bless the day I was shown her Instagram freestyle o. She has most definitely changed my own life too. And she has been nothing but a dream Starrgirl". The music executive's comment highlights the role Ayra Starr has played not only as one of Mavin's biggest success stories but also in influencing his perspective as a music executive. Don Jazzy signed Ayra Starr to his label, Mavin Records, in 2020 after her viral freestyles and song covers on Instagram, when she was just 18 years old.
Recounting his first impression of the young singer, Don Jazzy had previously said in an interview on The Echo Podcast last year: "The minute I saw her, I was like, this is it". According to him, signing Ayra Starr was part of an effort to position a young Nigerian female artiste for international success. Since joining Mavin, Ayra Starr has established herself as one of Nigeria's leading Afrobeats exports, recording major hits including "Rush" and earning a Grammy nomination. She recently released her third studio album, "Starrgirl," on August 14, 2026, a 16-track project featuring collaborations with Wizkid, Rema, ZAYN, Leon Thomas, kwn, Theodora, and Danny Ocean.
Ayra Starr's rise has earned her two Grammy nominations in the Best African Music Performance category, first for her global hit "Rush" and later for "Gimme Dat," her collaboration with Wizkid. She has also made history at the MOBO Awards, winning Best International Act in 2025 and again in March 2026, making her the first African woman to win the category and beating global stars including Beyoncé, Cardi B, and Kendrick Lamar. In 2025, she also won Best International Act at the BET Awards, beating fellow African stars Rema and Tyla. Her growing list of achievements has cemented her place among the Nigerian artists taking Afrobeats to a wider global audience.
Don Jazzy's latest comments reflect the impact of their journey together, with the music executive acknowledging that the artist he discovered has also had a major influence on his own life. The exchange has attracted significant attention online, with fans and music followers praising the music executive for recognising the influence of an artiste whose career he helped launch. The revelation comes just weeks after Don Jazzy dismissed widespread speculation that Ayra Starr had parted ways with Mavin Records, insisting that she remains signed to the label. His statement effectively put to rest the rumours, reassuring fans that the "Rush" hitmaker has not severed ties with the label that launched her career.
The music executive's acknowledgment of Ayra Starr's impact on his life underscores the transformative power of discovering and nurturing talent, and serves as a testament to the mutual growth that can occur when an artiste and their mentor embark on a journey of shared success. As Ayra Starr continues to break records and represent Nigerian music on the global stage, Don Jazzy's words stand as a powerful reminder that behind every successful artiste is a team of dedicated individuals whose lives are also enriched by the journey. For the Mavin boss, the decision to sign a young girl from Instagram freestyles has not only changed the trajectory of Ayra Starr's life but has also left an indelible mark on his own.
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