Nine years ago at the inception of Mavin Records, when music icon, philanthropist, and label founder, Don Jazzy asked us to ‘enjoy the ride,’ only a few would have envisaged just how far and how well the label’s journey would be. 2.3+ Billion Streams later, and million in sales, a multimillion-dollar investment by Kupanda Holdings, and with a roaster boasting some of Afrobeat’s household names and brightest prospects, it suffices to say that the business is enjoying its time.
Regardless of this success, Don Jazzy, Mavin’s chief operating officer, Tega Oghenejobo and the rest of the Mavin team, remain as inspired as ever. The biggest music label in Africa keeps looking only forward. 2021 has seen the label continue to consolidate on its famed legacy while charting a new route for the future of Afrobeat.
Rema stays undeterred on his sonic route to world domination, Ayra Starr’s rise to superstardom remain undaunted, Crayon has found his voice, Ladipoe keeps saving rap, and Johnny Drille is still in a class of his own.
However, Mavin is not stopping here. Besides birthing the Afrobeat superstars of the future, the announcement of the Mavin Future Five initiative is a game-changer for the African music industry. Moving beyond the sound, the Mavin Future Five leadership project seeks to mentor five music business enthusiasts and groom them to occupy salient positions in the industry.
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Speaking on the programme, Mavin’s chief operating officer, Tega Oghenejobo states, “No matter how genius your potential is, everyone has to do their 10,000 hours. You need practice. There are young people everywhere in need of someone to believe in them. Here at Mavin, we are looking to build the future of Music in Africa by building those who will be in charge of it.”
While this anniversary celebrates how far the label has come, it also lays a marker down for what is to come. Mavin at nine is rife with ambition and the future of African music will be better for it.
‘’I’ve been here for a while and so has Mavin Global. I have seen the industry in all its phases. One thing remains consistent though; the value placed on talent. At Mavin, our roaster boasts an abundance of this. We have young artistes coming through. They are bringing with them, a fresher voice, newer dynamics. Also, there is the Mavin Future Five, which is a leadership programme that provides mentorship to help nurture young music industry enthusiasts’’ Don Jazzy says, noting, ‘’This is what our 9th Anniversary celebrates – the limitless potential of the future of Afrobeat.”
