On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, photos of Don Jazzy alongside Tiwa Savage and Jay Z and others at the Roc Nation headquarters in New York surfaced online and lent credence to talks of Tiwa getting signed on my the American hip hop star. We sum the soon-to-be partnership up in five take aways below.
Sharing a photo on the hangout in New York, Don Jazzy wrote the caption:
“My face like baba hurry up and show me where RiRi dey.”
Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy inch closer to deal with Jay Z
In May 2016, music industry insiders Tola Odunsi and Bizzle Osikoya broke the news that the pop star was close to signing an international management and distribution deal with Roc Nation. We love this new ‘marriage’ between Nigerian music stars and their international counterparts.
In a related report, Jay Z’s cousin Brian ‘Bee-High’ Biggs was at the Mavin Records Lagos office in 2015 as he made some findings and discussed workability between both labels. All of this first seemed like a rumour but there appears to be some credibility in the reports.
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During his visit to Nigeria, Bee-High also spent some time with Ice Prince Zamani who also was at the Roc Nation headquarters with Jay Z in 2015.
Wizkid on the other hand is busy flying and touring around the world and he recently joined Chris Brown for 6-day performance in Europe.
The Ojuelegba crooner has shared photos from the One Hell Of A Nite Tour via Instagram since he joined his American superstar friend, Chris Brown.
Wizkid joins Chris Brown for Europe tour
These are indeed fun times for Nigerian music as the growth continues to leap remarkably.
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Tiwa Savage has particularly been impressive with her recent reemergence in Nigerian music, not like she ever did leave anyway, following the birth of her son Jamal in 2015.
Also, we mustn’t forget her widely publicized marriage issues of April 2016 which saw the 36-year-old breaking down in tears during an all-revealing interview.
As she readies herself for a US tour in July 2016 in further promotion of her R.E.D. album, below are five key potentials of the Jay Z and Tiwa Savage partnership that could further change the course of things in the thriving Nigerian music industry:
1. Impossible is nothing – Tiwa Savage has defied the odds of a failed marriage and broken the ‘glass ceiling’ notion in Nigerian entertainment by cruising on paths uncharted by any female in the Nigerian and possibly the African music industry.
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In recent times, many have come close but Tiwa’s shine is unmistakable and absolute. Several years back, no one gave her an opportunity but she kept pushing until she managed to get everyone listening. Hers is a story of patience, persistence and mastery if the art. In 2009, Tiwa was an aspiring singer and songwriter who lacked the experience, exposure and magic touch with which to break into mainstream American market but upon relocating to Nigeria and getting several areas of her craft right, she blew out of proportion and there’s been no stopping her ever since.
2. The world is watching – Currently one of Africa’s biggest entertainers on social media in addition to several corporate brand endorsements and music sales, Tiwa’s journey this far teaches the entire Nigerian music industry that the world is watching and taking note of our music just as opportunities are becoming increasingly infinite by the day.
3. Nigerian entertainment can achieve way more – With the way things are currently set up in the entertainment industry, there is yet another reminder that the Nigerian economy can thrive with more supports from the entertainment sector, but first the right systems must be set up to facilitate more success in the industry.
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In addition, with all we’ve seen today in terms of numbers from streaming, digital sales and international tours, there’s no gainsaying that Nigerian entertainment is headed for the sky as there’s way more feats to be recorded.
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4. Artistes need to take their crafts seriously – Tiwa’s is a true success story that teaches everyone in the industry, especially the direct players (such as stakeholders, producers, writers, artistes and label executives) that there is need to improve the craft in order to attain expected heights.
Mavin Records pop star Tiwa Savage
For the naysayers and critics, Tiwa Savage is Nigeria’s biggest female artiste by a long shot and everyday newer situations bring her renown to true perspective.
5. Structure is everything – Younger artistes have a lot to learn from the pop star as they venture into the evolving Nigerian entertainment industry. You see, with adequate structure and proper arrangement of all key areas, there’s no limit to results that can be achieved.
Success is never accidental. Artistes and entertainers must prepare, they must put in work and understand major aspects of music business in order to thrive. In addition, they need to hire the right hands to help orchestrate their careers in terms of creativity and the business end of things.
Lastly, as Tiwa’s deal comes to light, we see clearly that Don Jazzy is a true master of the arts as he’s come close to a partnership with Jay Z on two occasions.
First, he was a part of the hit song Lift Off which dropped in August 2011 featuring Jay Z, Kanye West and Beyonce. The Mavin Records honcho alongside Kanye West, Mike Dean and Q-Tip produced the collaborative album Watch The Throne.
Following his fall out with Dbanj in 2012, he started everything from scratch and created the Mavin movement with Tiwa Savage, Dr. SID, D’Prince and most recently Korede Bello, Reekado Banks and D’ija.
And while his erstwhile partner Dbanj, whom many tipped to grow internationally with his Kanye West affiliations at the time, continues to scramble for some opening with which to relaunch his music, Don Jazzy has gotten in touch with Jay Z a second time and this time around it looks as real as the sky is blue that their partnership will pan out proper.