Nigerian singer Bigiano, best known for his 2009 hit Shayo, has opened up about the biggest regret of his music career, turning down an opportunity to join Don Jazzy’s iconic Mo’Hits Records.
In a recent interview with Cool FM, Bigiano, whose real name is Oluwagbemiga Babalola, recounted the moment he was personally invited by Don Jazzy to join the powerhouse label co-founded with D’banj. At the time, Mo’Hits was home to some of Nigeria’s most successful acts, including Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, D’Prince, and Kayswitch.
According to Bigiano, the offer came at the height of his success with Shayo, a track that earned him multiple award nominations and wins. However, he declined the offer, believing his growing independence and popularity meant he didn’t need to be part of a label structure.
“When Shayo was at its prime, D’banj, my brother and friend, introduced me and handed me over to Sunday Are in 2010,” he shared. “We got to the Mo’Hits house and Don Jazzy asked me, ‘Would you want to join Mo’Hits?’ But I said no. I felt like my career was already moving on its own.”
He continued, “In my head, I thought joining the label would limit my freedom. I thought, ‘If I’m in that house with Wande Coal and Dr. Sid, I may not be able to take shows on my own anymore.’ But looking back, I should have just said yes. That was a blank cheque I wasted.”
Bigiano admitted that had he joined Mo’Hits, his career trajectory might have been significantly different. He described the love and support he received from everyone at the Mo’Hits house, especially Don Jazzy and D’banj, as genuine.
“It should have been Wande Coal and Bigiano under Mo’Hits. That would have been a serious problem for the world,” he added with a hint of nostalgia. “I won’t lie, if I could rewind time, I’d go back and say yes, even three times.”
Mo’Hits Records, once considered Nigeria’s most influential label in the 2000s, produced a string of timeless hits before it disbanded in 2012. Despite its dissolution, the legacy of the label continues to shape the careers of the artists who were part of it.
Bigiano’s reflection serves as a poignant reminder of how one decision can alter the course of a career, and how, sometimes, even rising stars need the right team behind them.
