How Ayo Lizer Ended Producing Diamond’s Songs

[Ayo Lizer/Ghafla]
Written by Pharis Kinyua

Join our Whatsapp Channel For the Latest News and Music

The Tanzanian music industry is renowned for producing some of the biggest names in African music, and at the heart of it all, one man has been the driving force behind countless chart-toppers. Iraju Hamisi Mjege, professionally known as Lizer Classic, has firmly established himself as the maestro behind the magic at Wasafi Records, where one in every two hit songs bears his signature ""Ayo Lizer"" drop at the beginning. 

However, his journey to becoming the producer for Diamond Platnumz and the entire Wasafi team is a story of missed opportunities, a lie, and a second chance that changed his life forever.

Ayo Lizer Musical Love From an Early Age

Lizer Classic's love affair with music began long before he became a household name. He fondly recalls his humble beginnings, saying, ""I have always loved music, but I wasn't always a producer. I was a singer first, and then I became a producer out of curiosity."" His initial foray into music was driven by a desire for creative freedom. He realized that by producing his own music, he could have complete control over his sound and save money in the process. This curiosity led him to explore the world of music production, a journey that would ultimately define his career.

Lizer's early influences included music producers like the late Roy, who played a pivotal role in putting Tanzanian music on the map. During this time, Lizer was not only exploring his musical style but also producing tracks for prominent Tanzanian artists like Mr. Blue and Matonya. Roy's influence left an indelible mark on Lizer, shaping his initial approach to music production. However, as time went on, he discovered that his true passion lay in producing music for others rather than pursuing a solo career as a singer.

How Ayo Lizer Met Diamond Platnumz

His musical journey led him to Burundi, where he embarked on his career as a producer. Over a decade ago, he began crafting hit tracks for regional artists such as Sat B, Big Fizzo, Lolilo, Emery Sun, and Rally Joe. His work quickly garnered attention, earning him the prestigious Producer of the Year award in Burundi in 2014. It was during his time in Burundi that he crossed paths with Tanzanian megastar Diamond Platnumz.

Diamond Platnumz Offer

His encounter with Diamond Platnumz was a pivotal moment in his career. Their collaboration on a track made waves in the region, and Diamond was so impressed with Lizer's work that he approached him with an offer. Diamond had plans to open a studio in Tanzania and wanted Lizer to join him. The offer was undoubtedly tempting, but Lizer had reservations about returning to Tanzania after achieving considerable success in the regions where he had been working.

Initially, Lizer declined Diamond's offer, citing a non-existent contract in Burundi. He was comfortable and content with the success he had achieved outside Tanzania, and the thought of transitioning to a new environment posed uncertainties. However, as fate would have it, political unrest led Lizer to return to Tanzania. Once back home, he decided to take a chance and reached out to Diamond to inquire if the offer still stood. To his relief, the opportunity was still available, and he eagerly accepted it.

Joining Wasafi Records

Joining Wasafi Records marked a new chapter in Lizer's career, and he was now tasked with producing music for Diamond Platnumz and the entire Wasafi team. The transition, however, was not without its challenges. Lizer had grown accustomed to his own production style and creative freedom, and adapting to the label's expectations was initially challenging. 

He recalls, ""For years, I had my own style of recording music, and here I was being introduced to a different one."" Nonetheless, the label allowed him to experiment with his style on some tracks, and his first track, ""Kwetu"" by Rayvanny, became a massive hit. This success convinced the label to let him continue doing things his way.

Since then, Lizer Classic has produced a string of hit songs, including ""Sikomi,"" ""Eneka,"" ""Hallelujah,"" ""Waka,"" ""Kijuso,"" ""Kwangwaru,"" ""Show Me,"" ""Tuachane,"" ""Zilipendwa,"" ""Jibebe,"" and the entire album ""A Boy from Tandale"" by Diamond Platnumz. His distinctive touch has become synonymous with Wasafi Records and is a key ingredient in their success story.

Lizer Classic's journey from a hesitant decline of an offer to becoming the powerhouse behind Wasafi Records is a testament to the power of second chances and the pursuit of one's passion. 

His music production has not only earned him a place as a well-known producer in East Africa but has also solidified his legacy as a driving force in the Tanzanian and African music industry. Through creativity and determination, Lizer Classic has become an integral part of the sound that defines modern African music.