Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy has set the internet buzzing after revealing his Top 5 greatest Afrobeats albums of all time.
Unveiled as the cover star of Rolling Stone Africa’s October issue, the legendary producer didn’t mince words when asked to list his all-time favourites.
“Number one, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits, produced by me. Then Grass 2 Grace by 2Baba, Superstar by Wizkid, The Entertainer by D’Banj, and Aṣa’s debut album”, Don Jazzy said.
For fans who’ve followed his 20-year run shaping the sound of Afrobeats, the choices make perfect sense.
The first, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits (2009), remains a cornerstone of modern Afrobeats. The project catapulted Wande Coal into superstardom with hits like You Bad and Bumper 2 Bumper, redefining what a pop album could sound like.
Then came Grass 2 Grace by 2Baba (2006), an instant classic that confirmed the singer’s global rise after African Queen.
Wizkid’s Superstar (2011) made the genre cool for a new generation, while D’Banj’s The Entertainer (2008) captured the golden era of Mo’Hits, a time when Nigerian pop ruled clubs and airwaves.
Aṣa’s soulful self-titled debut (2007) rounded off the list with poetic elegance, showing the softer, timeless side of Nigerian music.
“No apologies”, Jazzy said.
Indeed he has earned the right to rank them as these are the albums that built an empire.
When asked to name his Top 5 Afrobeats songs of all time, Don Jazzy admitted it wasn’t easy.
“That’s a tough one,” he said, before listing: African Queen by 2Baba, Ojuelegba by Wizkid, Fall in Love by D’Banj, Gongo Aso by 9ice, and Aye by Davido.
Each of those songs, he said, represents “a turning point in Afrobeats.”
Despite Afrobeats’ global success, the music mogul believes the journey has just begun.
“We’re still just getting started,” Don Jazzy told Rolling Stone. “Some people think it’s slowing down, but there’s so much great music from Africa that the world hasn’t even discovered yet.”
He also shared how he spots new talent at Mavin Records.
“Beyond the music, I focus on the vessel — the person. I look at their personality, their hunger, their vision,” he said. “You can’t always predict who will blow up, but sometimes you can feel it.”
For Don Jazzy, Afrobeats isn’t just a genre, it’s a legacy.
As the genre continues to break boundaries, Don Jazzy’s list serves as both a reflection of Afrobeats’ rich history and a reminder that its story is still being written.
