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Universal Music Acquires Majority Stake in Don Jazzy’s Marvin Records

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Universal Music Group (UMG) has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Mavin Global (Mavin), a distinguished music company headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Mavin Records label was founded in 2012 by Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly as Don Jazzy, Mavin has played a pivotal role in propelling Afrobeats artists to prominence, both within Africa and on the global stage. 

This strategic move by UMG comes about five years after Mavin secured a substantial multi-million dollar investment in 2019 from Kupanda Holdings, a joint venture between pan-African investment company Kupanda Capital and TPG Growth. With this latest development, TPG has divested entirely from the business, while Kupanda Capital will maintain a minority investment and continue as a strategic adviser. 

UMG reiterates that Mavin will retain autonomy in steering its strategic vision and talent development. Don Jazzy, the founder and CEO, along with COO Tega Oghenejobo, will continue to lead the company under the terms of the agreement. 

The deal’s completion depends on regulatory approval and is expected to be finalized by the end of Q3 2024. 

What they said 

in his statement, Don Jazzy declared that “I’m proud of the artists, careers and brand we’ve built that have made Mavin the force it is today. In this historic partnership with UMG, we will continue that mission in Africa and across the globe.”

Adding, Tega Oghenejobo said “With our proven history of collaborations within the UMG family, we have a strong belief that they are the ideal partner for the next phase of our growth, given the diversity and potential of our business.

“UMG is home to some of the world’s foremost music entrepreneurs and artists, making them a perfect match for our aspirations. By collaborating with UMG, we are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant creative environment that propels African music to new heights on the global stage.” 

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, also stated: Our criteria for identifying partners is straightforward: great artists, great entrepreneurs, great people. With Don Jazzy, Tega, the Mavin Global team and their artist roster, we’ve found ideal partners with whom to grow together.

Mavin, a music powerhouse, hosts a lineup of stellar Afrobeats artists such as Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Johnny Drille, Crayon, Magixx, Bayanni, Boyspyce, DJ Big N, Lifesize Teddy, and Rema.

Their chart-topping single, “Calm Down,” featuring Selena Gomez, reached an impressive No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking a breakthrough for the Afrobeats genre. 

This track has become one of the most significant Afrobeats songs ever, achieving the remarkable feat of being the first African artist-led track to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify.

Ayra Starr, another gem from Mavin, earned a Grammy nomination for the Best African Music Performance for her track “Rush.”  

Notably, its music video holds the record as the most-viewed video by a female Nigerian artist on YouTube. Mavin continues to make waves in the global music scene, solidifying its position as a driving force behind the success of Afrobeats artists. 

UMG’s partnership with Mavin aims to accelerate the strategic growth of the Nigerian music company, providing more opportunities to showcase talent globally and expand its existing roster.   

As part of their mission, UMG highlighted two key initiatives: Mavin’s Artist Academy, focused on training new talents in music and performance skills while fostering connections within the roster, and an executive leadership program aiming to groom the next generation of music industry professionals in Africa. 

 The timing of this partnership aligns with the booming music industry in Africa, as highlighted by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

In 2022, Africa experienced the highest growth rate in recorded music consumption, with Sub-Saharan Africa leading at an impressive 34.7% year-over-year growth, surpassing any other region globally. 

Source: Nairametrics

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Entertainment

Obey, Kollington, Obesere, Others Prepare for Renuion at KSA’s 80th Birthday

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A reunion of music royalty is in the offing as two of Nigeria’s most celebrated music legends, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi and King Sunny Ade, are set to come together again as part of activities marking the 80th birthday of the KSA.

Obey is expected to lead a galaxy of veteran musicians, including Fuji musicians, Kollington Ayinla and Abass Akande Obesere, as well as other prominent personalities, to celebrate King Sunny Ade at an event in Lagos.

The celebration, tagged, “Celebrating KSA @ 80,” is scheduled to hold on September 20 at Platinum Lounge Social Club, Abule Egba, Lagos.

The gathering is expected to provide a reunion of some of the biggest names from Nigeria’s golden era of music, with the presence of Obey and Sunny Ade particularly giving the celebration a historic dimension.

For decades, Obey and Sunny Ade have remained towering figures in Nigerian music, with both legends playing roles in taking indigenous Nigerian sounds to national and international audiences.

Their reunion at KSA’s birthday celebration is expected to rekindle memories of an era when their distinctive musical styles dominated the Nigerian music scene and inspired generations of artistes.

While Obey established himself as one of the foremost figures in juju music with his unique blend of traditional sounds, social commentary and inspirational themes, Sunny Ade rose to become one of the genre’s most influential global ambassadors.

The celebration, organised by one of KSA’s sons, Biodun Adeniyi Adegeye, otherwise known as PSA1, will also feature other names in the Nigerian music industry including Wale Thompson, Mega 99, Baba Ajasco, Ajobiewe, among others. They are expected to add their own touch to what promises to be a memorable gathering of musical giants.

Beyond the music, the event is expected to celebrate Sunny Ade’s journey, longevity and immense contribution to the Nigerian entertainment industry.

KSA has enjoyed a career spanning several decades, during which he transformed juju music into a globally recognised Nigerian musical export.

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Abi, Araga Evicted from BBN Season 11

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Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemates Abi and Araga has been evicted from the reality TV show, becoming the latest housemates to leave the ‘Show Ya Sef’ edition.

Abi and Araga’s eviction was announced during the live eviction show on Sunday as the competition enters another stage.

Their exit comes after the previous eviction round saw Gerard sent out of the competition.

Before Gerard, the show had witnessed the evictions of Martins, Mercedes, Kamsy, Cassi, Sultex and Goddessa, while Neche voluntarily left the competition.

The competition also recorded a major development during the week when Nomy was disqualified from the show.

With Abi and Araga’s eviction and Nomy’s disqualification, the ‘Show Ya Sef’ house is now left with 14 housemates battling for the grand prize as the season progresses towards its final stages.

The ‘Show Ya Sef’ edition premiered on July 26, 2026, with 24 housemates competing for a ₦160 million grand prize.

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Country Music Icon, Dolly Parton, Dies at 80

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Country music icon, Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 80, according to multiple reports, including The Independent, The Guardian and Sky News.

Parton’s death was reportedly announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on Instagram on Tuesday.

“I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.

“It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” Seaver said.

Parton, who rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to become one of country music’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, had a career spanning more than six decades.

She sold more than 100 million records globally and became known as the “Queen of Country”, with hits including “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You”.

Parton wrote more than 3,000 songs and won 11 Grammy Awards. She was also a successful actor, appearing in films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Joyful Noise.

Born on January 19, 1946, in a two-room log cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children.

Her father was an illiterate sharecropper who later worked his way up to owning a small tobacco farm. Parton described her family as “dirt poor” but credited her mother with passing on her love and knowledge of traditional folk ballads and her father for his work ethic.

Parton began performing as a child. By the age of 13, she had appeared on local radio and television in East Tennessee, performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and recorded her first single, “Puppy Love”.

After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville the following day and began establishing herself as a songwriter.

She released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967, the same year she joined the weekly television programme The Porter Wagoner Show. Wagoner, an established country star, mentored Parton, and the pair released a series of successful albums as a duo.

In 1973, Parton decided to concentrate on her solo career and wrote “I Will Always Love You” about their professional separation. The song became a hit for Parton and was later famously recorded by Whitney Houston for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.

Parton also wrote “Jolene”, one of her signature songs, around the same period. Both songs were included on her 1974 album Jolene, which helped introduce her to a wider audience beyond country music.

Her 1977 album, Here You Come Again, became her first to sell a million copies and earned her first Grammy Award after almost a decade of nominations.

In 1980, Parton made her acting debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the workplace comedy 9 to 5. She also wrote and performed the film’s theme song, which became a number one hit and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

The film’s success helped launch Parton’s acting career, with roles in films including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Steel Magnolias (1989) and Joyful Noise (2012).

Parton also built a business empire that included television specials, food products and Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park she acquired an interest in and renamed in 1986.

Beyond music and acting, she was known for her philanthropy, particularly through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which promotes childhood literacy.

She also supported medical research, disaster relief and other charitable causes, including donating $1 million towards COVID-19 vaccine research.

In 2022, she was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

“I just give from my heart. I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m gonna do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will,” she said at the time.

Parton’s health concerns became public in September 2025 when she postponed her Las Vegas residency. In recent weeks, she had also withdrawn from public appearances amid ongoing health issues.

Parton’s death comes months after the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.

The couple married in 1966.

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