Don Jazzy: My dad used to farm while my mum sold akara in Ajegunle

Don Jazzy says his mum used to sell akara (bean cakes) while his father farmed when they were residing in Ajegunle, one of the toughest slums in Lagos.

The Mavin Records boss was speaking in the Black Box Interview with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, TV host.

Ahead of the official premiere on Thursday, an early access preview was released on Wednesday.

The record producer noted that he grew up and schooled in Ajegunle but later moved to Egbeda at age 11.

“Growing up was fun. I was born in Ajegunle and moved to Egbeda at 11. My memories of Ajegunle were school, coming home, following my dad to farm, and joining my mum where she sells akara in front of the house,” he said.

“In the morning, we used to get agidi from the woman my mum used to buy from. It was school, church, farm, and music. It’s church but I loved playing music there. My dad was once a banker and later became an artiste manager.

“In any organization he was in, they made him the leader because he was very outspoken and intelligent. He reads a lot. So from banking, before the artiste manager thing bloomed, there was farming.”

Don Jazzy had recently acquired a luxury mansion within a highbrow axis of Lekki, Lagos.

Speaking of the acquisition, the music producer also confirmed speculations about him living in a rented house while owning a couple of structures across the state.

“Yes, it not stories or something you hide. You can’t use a house to buga (show pride to) me. I have a lot of things that I’m going to do with N300 million or N400 million lying around than to just throw it on a house,” he said.

“I actually prefer to invest it. I have a lot of businesses that money would do well than to just be looking at a giant house. I’m not one of those people who care too much about having or not having a house.

“Yes, I moved from a rented house. There was a skit I did carrying a box on my head. I was living in a rented house. I don’t really care. I move from place to place. The money is mine. So, what if I’m broke.? Are you feeding me?

“I have about five houses rented out in Lagos. There are two things I’m going to do at the end of the day. VC and real estate. I like investing in people’s businesses. I’ll do that on a larger scale after I finish this music thing.

“After you acquire money, grow the number of estates you have. Or maybe cryptocurrency if our government allows us. It’s Nigeria that gives us this mentality that you must own a house. If you leave me, I’ll live in a bungalow.”