Johnny Drille Reveals How Don Jazzy Took a Bold Gamble on His Unique Sound

|By Oko-Echem Agnes

Nigerian singer and songwriter Johnny Drille has opened up about his early struggles to land a record deal, revealing how his unconventional sound nearly cost him a place in the industry.

Speaking on the CreativTea Podcast, the “Wait For Me” crooner recounted how two major record labels showed interest in signing him but pressured him to alter his style to fit mainstream expectations.

“The conversation was always around, ‘How do we change your sound? How do we make it faster or danceable?’” Johnny Drille recalled.

However, the Mavin Records signee said his story changed when he met Don Jazzy, who took what he described as a “big risk” by signing him without asking him to compromise his sound.

“People could never have imagined that Mavin Records under Don Jazzy would sign an alternative artist like myself,” he said. “He was just really a fan of the music. That was a big risk to take, but he pulled it off.”

Johnny Drille, whose real name is John Ighodaro, first gained attention after competing in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. He released his breakout single “Wait For Me” in 2015 before joining Mavin Records in 2017.

Since then, the singer has carved a niche for himself in Nigeria’s music scene with his soulful alternative sound. His debut album, “Before We Fall Asleep,” further cemented his reputation as one of the most authentic voices in contemporary Nigerian music.