Mavin: The House That Sound Built

How Don Jazzy Built Nigeria’s Biggest Music Label

Today on Crea8torium, we sit with Don Jazzy — producer, label executive, and the architect behind some of the most defining artistes in African music. From Mo'Hits to Mavin, he hasn't just given us hits — he's built careers, cultures, and a blueprint that an entire industry has studied. In this conversation, we get into his production process, how he finds and shapes talent, the weight of hard decisions, and what legacy really means when you've already changed the game. This one is for every creator who wants to build something great — that lasts. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction  00:09 Jazzy’s Role  04:11 The Producer  05:26 MoHits vs. Mavin 07:10 Evolution of Jazzy 08:31 Production Process 13:33 Finding Talent 15:41 What He Looks For 20:03 Ayra Starr 25:28 Gen Z 27:53 Johnny Drille  31:57 Prioritizing Artists 34:35 Talent Capacity  36:00 Trolls & Social Media 39:48 Balanced Leadership  42:01 Hard Decisions 45:20 New Projects 47:58 Legacy CONNECT WITH DON JAZZY Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/3vkdbtav TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/2dt3nppu CREA8TORIUM CIRCLE: If this content sparked something in you, Crea8torium Circle is where you build on it. It's our private membership for creators ready to apply what they’re learning, get sharper guidance, and build alongside people operating with real commitment. Join us here: https://crea8torium.com/circle/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0hKcERkcEQwZnBzeWJieTY1bk5Jc21YUkkyd3xBQ3Jtc0tsTlhJNnNSM2w3NkF5ay1jUkxPZks0Nkdkbm9ma1dYTy1sWjYweUFoRllnX3dOLXU2MnNMa1Z5eWUweGlFblNfdThFOGthUkxEV09EME53ZHZQLWFtNFEzYnpLUHpBOGo5VC10QmZ0Vm5TNGhHbWF4VQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcrea8torium.com%2Fcircle%2F&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] CATCH OUR EPISODES ON: YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumyoutube [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2FBdGJReko1dHBVUDhfTHdVQmdlNTJwR1lFZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsYkNQWXlheDZtVHVPQlA2d3habDJ5TmJQR3g0V2lMYmdWZk1mM1ZzNEU5aUNyM0hUZnc0S21XMDg4MXZtU3Y5QjdfRDFwU244Z240azlKUUpUeEQxMUlQZU5yTVZOTXRpTGJ5Y3QxQjhjYUNlQWdiRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumyoutube&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumsptfy [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbC0xa1MwTE01eEZRUjlsQjM3cGFjem1TRllkUXxBQ3Jtc0tsc1VUYUtOVzY4ZjZoYXk0NUMwMGtMUnhNVEJZYUlibEoyYlBqdDdVM3UxUEVKU2FnUDIyOHZFYWRfbl9MWDhkbGhIYUFQbXFLenNtSFlob3dMRkVYRmJ4M0JGRTRZWnNGOTZjTVRFcUZEZ0ZQVk1Mcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumsptfy&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumapple [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnRVTUxPYjR2akxwZmQzb21aX0V6M1oza2s5QXxBQ3Jtc0tuN1VpNFRjdk5Ib0g4SUZtb2VmczY4UlVOQzVqZi1mc0oxbml2UFN3Z0NzWW9pXzAzRUN3OGN4cXJCX3V4WlJkXzl5ME5RWTZNME54LXYxaXdnX1BTTkhDdUJRam4tR1VVLVNPalNTQVItMUR6ZDBxUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumapple&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS https://crea8torium.com/ask/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqay1QV3J6UG5XNlZzYWMtOVYwbmYyWW1sc1d0Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttaVdNakptNzlIUDRNdGtvMlRtUFdpSGZCRW10UTV0clRkNzlzMy1KUUFVdDVKUTVLb1lXTW9pS3dxX3UwTlIxWVQyZDNIQzB4M2dfQnJNUldrWUJlek1QaGFkZVhMY2V2RXh2VWhON0U5d1M4Wjctbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcrea8torium.com%2Fask%2F&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumig [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFdFWWtpNVJ1b2hKeFVxLV9MLVRQM3J6TS11QXxBQ3Jtc0ttQ3hNMTJvSWpkYXRyczIwa0RnYlRVdlh0OENiYU9icE1nZGRKd3ZVT0s1eXlJQjdzNUcxOWhNVHM5MXRGektjM1lQQ2Fqdk9WVHhFYUREdmF3ZTdnZVkzeHgyelJsSVgwNC1hQ1NfME9YbklZaFlDbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumig&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumtk [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEpScUU1TmFaQ1pYOUtDWWM4Mzd5VGRwSFcyUXxBQ3Jtc0tsc085a2lrUGU2MDEzRGxua2FCaEc3T1hPOE5aY2VMR1lyX0h4b0kzTEVKQ3Nhb1dYUUJKeWNOSmNMbDVmaWhsY3gxU05tdU5hSzhGWUtydFZoYjhWRGRia0ZabzVYMGpMTnpOSUJkX2hiWXdKRGFGSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumtk&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] Substack: https://tinyurl.com/crea8sstack [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTFfRkFadUhFckdQcUNyS281RjRRa1ViN0pWZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttRWxULXY0UVpWV3Nyd1dhVEh3d3FUZVdqdUpjVnRBRm96OXJuWl9ILWdNZWsyVjRNMHJEZGNSNDFMN2U2ZHQ1Z19hS0lDRzZhT0dxMEtBLVpOSlU4bm8tallpZElhMndHOGVtZmRxc3pYSFc0b2xEVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8sstack&v=dy8TIBHMJt8] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

15 HONEST Minutes With AYRA STARR

Today on Crea8torium, we sit with Ayra Starr — award winning singer, songwriter, and one of the most fearless young superstars Nigeria has ever produced. Performing on stages across the world before she even had time to prepare, Ayra has built her artistry in real time — in public, under pressure, and without apology. In this conversation, we get into her creative process, the difference between performing and creating, collaborations, and what's coming next. This one is for every creator who's figuring it out as they go. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Creative Process 01:36 How Beggie Beggie Was Made 03:00 Storytelling 03:47 Music Finds Her 04:58 Performing vs Creating 06:37 Inspiration 07:39 Collaborations 08:50 Evolution 10:04 Hardwork 11:27How Commas Was Made 13:31 Jazzy’s POV 14:08 New Album CONNECT WITH AYRA STARR YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yxw7udck Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/4e42uypr CREA8TORIUM CIRCLE: If this content sparked something in you, Crea8torium Circle is where you build on it. It's our private membership for creators ready to apply what they’re learning, get sharper guidance, and build alongside people operating with real commitment. Join us here: https://crea8torium.com/circle/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFdZdTh0U2VIT21VZDV3ckE0a1ZILVd0TEg4Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsbnQzQTVTUjhMalRTYktENVBDVVZld0RXeWE4QzNmdkkzR1p5eWhvRUhvQ183TGxxVkMwc0dqcHJZbHRmV0wwUWtvdnVBTWpQRFFONEJ2SFJYdVRMXzFvdFlXcG1OazQ5V09BLTZJUHBVN1czQzFWYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcrea8torium.com%2Fcircle%2F&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] CATCH OUR EPISODES ON: YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumyoutube [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnR2U2NxaDBRaVdxaW5QSWRFa2dCUmt2WEdGd3xBQ3Jtc0ttVzNYZ3NBeUFFNlhnengzYnJGTlhzbkhHSlRyejhOZ2VCUmxJcVhPM3BpUmM5QU9KTW12MnV6aGpJb1lWYThHM2tKRzhPVVZ4aXJ2N3pTLWpKMndndjQtT2FUTExrcFZXWXkyaldXQW8tZnZvTWIxQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumyoutube&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumsptfy [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk1pbjBhRXc0ZzRzTjE2R3N6WXJVWVRBSXRIUXxBQ3Jtc0trT1ZXLV9yYU1ySmxHdkpUTTVuTzNSV1Y2cEVySV9hSTlJM2poeTlubWJsakxRSlBCWFhHRlQ5ZzhTNGdRdDg0bW9Cb1ZzWHZjcEtjRlRXaENUV0hfbHBFWE9hVGRTQmlzX0VSTnFOMGlsUXlzNVpvWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumsptfy&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumapple [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pmbXI3NldKYU5DNFY4b1MwZlF5UmtzaUhxd3xBQ3Jtc0tuLTJFNGpUU3I4X1d1RXFybExkRzdKZnRVbG0tcTlOWEpNUUhYX3hDMFU3d29GUXhWbG5ic2gxOTR4cDdVdGhKZF9od0dNMS1WWVVMVjdGc1VrZ3lGamRqMWdBYi0zWXhwc0s0SkRTS3hMMEhKNzE0Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumapple&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS https://crea8torium.com/ask/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0pEMS04VXlwUGJNMUM1R05nY2otZHZFTDNnQXxBQ3Jtc0tuWDNiU09iWjhFSkNMbEFodnNsU3pYTnZ4ZmtQTWVnUnlIRzU5N2tDaEVJZjhvZWNIQTE5TG5vNmNYR0xWbnhvQTNxWTZrTkNEMzJFc1lzSHBaNGc2aVhOYk9fVTJjbXQwUWZZTlJSbTVZN00wYzRpRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcrea8torium.com%2Fask%2F&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumig [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjRob29UTnhOekJzSjZTUno0ZEdsSXRpVm8xZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmlVV2tKVUp6ODJzaVhjNzVIMDNsaUN1SnozWE50LWM5bHRxWFY1WVlDQWZJYUZPWVRYUk9hV3VvUVBFQlJaQ00tbWFGQW1ETDA3bG1FRGlPOUhkaGUwa2ZnTm10NFpDS2NjdmU0V3ptUlBQYWJXaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumig&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumtk [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmNnTWFXeEpueUJ2eHZVWWRBbjJsZ21HVzYtd3xBQ3Jtc0tsLWRmNGduNmxrZDdtWWpWdzZNLW9BRzlRTXI1QUNJdXhIRXVSOHBmU3hNenBDVURPUTRkV191UFNkZGZuSzlLdE1Ed3NBS1NoTDhHTC12bjBOQmIwdmpEdjVBekFMaG5EYlJBVlI0dURvT280TS1UNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8toriumtk&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] Substack: https://tinyurl.com/crea8sstack [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmtmZUdoczAxa2hnR0dLSUZIb3RVZTJPRHBWZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttd1J3cFItaktJczZUUzREQnNqdUw1Q2hRalBuVjJRUmd0SUF3am1vZmtYQmdOSWlxRVpBeWREZTN1RkNpMzJvcC1uVFVzUHYwNWVCVEJHX3p6XzlZMmQ5NUUxZHRxX1AyTHptNHlSMVNCcF9aYTJUVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fcrea8sstack&v=MrKXD-ZUTS0] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Inside The Mind Of A Musical Genius: Johnny Drille

Today on Crea8torium, we sit with Johnny Drille — artiste, producer, songwriter, and one of the most intentional artists in Nigerian music. From teaching himself the elements of music to building a discography that spans genres and emotions, Johnny has never chased the wave — he's been building something far more lasting. In this conversation, we get into his creative process, the tension between art and mainstream, AI, and his new album. This one is for every creator who carries many gifts and wants to make them all work. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Creative Process 01:46 Creation Vs. Performance 03:06 Live Performances 07:40 AI vs Art 11:11 Cover Songs 12:41 Mainstream Music 14:32 No. Of Songs Created 17:04 How He Does It All 19:25 Working w/ Ayra 21:36 Songs He Wrote 23:35 Fav Song Written 25:04 Jazzy’s Taste 27:38 Johnny Live 30:49 Creating Albums 32:29 New Album CONNECT WITH JOHNNY DRILLE YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4bp6k8zh Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/jpdxjysx CREA8TORIUM CIRCLE: If this content sparked something in you, Crea8torium Circle is where you build on it. It's our private membership for creators ready to apply what they’re learning, get sharper guidance, and build alongside people operating with real commitment. Join us here: https://crea8torium.com/circle/ CATCH OUR EPISODES ON: YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumyoutube Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumsptfy Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumapple SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS https://crea8torium.com/ask/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumig TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumtk Substack: https://tinyurl.com/crea8sstack ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Mavin: The House That Sound Built

Today on Crea8torium, we unpack the musical engine called Mavin Records, sitting with the architect behind it, Don Jazzy, while seeing through the lens of two exports of this machine: Ayra Starr and Johnny Drille. While Nigeria has consistently produced hits that have shaped global culture, it’s rare to see a music label like Mavin Records that has produced not just hits, but superstars — consistently. In this special Crea8torium episode, we explore how they’ve done this: the systems, structure, and processes that make it possible. We also unpack the evolution Don Jazzy, Ayra Starr, and Johnny Drille have gone through to get to this point. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a 14-year legacy that has directly impacted culture, this one’s for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Jazzy’s Role 02:47 MoHits vs. Mavin 04:10 Evolution of Jazzy 05:23 Making Dorobucci 06:33 Production Process 08:05 Making Olorun Maje 09:26 Making Some Hits 10:46 Johnny’s Evolution 12:58 Becoming Johnny Drille 13:43 Writing vs Mixing 14:35 Prioritizing Artists 16:54 Talent Capacity 17:59 Ayra Starr 18:32 Finding Ayra 21:11 Ayra’s Evolution 22:26 Hard Decisions 25:49 Jazzy Shy? 27:09 Jazzy’s Leadership 29:56 Johnny: Jazzy’s POV 31:33 Ayra: Jazzy’s POV 32:41 Patience’s Role 33:50 Creative Differences 36:17 Legacy 37:16 Mavin’s Future 40:11 Note To Jazzy CONNECT WITH MAVIN RECORDS YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ysfjrz4u Website: https://tinyurl.com/ycwvmx4k CREA8TORIUM CIRCLE: If this content sparked something in you, Crea8torium Circle is where you build on it. It's our private membership for creators ready to apply what they’re learning, get sharper guidance, and build alongside people operating with real commitment. Join us here: https://crea8torium.com/circle/ CATCH OUR EPISODES ON: YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumyoutube Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumsptfy Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumapple SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS https://crea8torium.com/ask/ JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumig TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumtk Substack: https://tinyurl.com/crea8sstack ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How To Start Getting Paid Consistently

In our last Dear Creator episode, we unpacked some dynamics around money, from free work to pricing and even working with friends. In this episode, we explore the concept of multiple income streams, if and when creators should start a business, and the art of making more money. If you’ve ever struggled with any of these, we made this episode for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Higher Pay Secrets 03:10 Increasing Rates 09:23 Starting A Business 13:56 Freelance to Agency 20:57: Income Streams 26:07 Scarcity vs Abundance CREA8TORIUM CIRCLE: We have launched a private membership for creators who want more. Access, resources, tools, and a community of people who are serious about standing out with tailored knowledge. Interested? Join Us: https://crea8torium.com/circle/ SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS https://crea8torium.com/ask/ ENJOY OUR EPISODES: YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumyoutube Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumsptfy Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumapple JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/crea8toriumig TikTok: https://tinyurl.com/crea8ttk Substack: https://tinyurl.com/crea8sstack ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.