Di'Ja
Di'Ja | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Hadiza Blell |
Also known as | Di'ja |
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2002–present |
Labels | Mavin Records |
Website | dijanation |
Hadiza Blell, better known by her stage name Di'Ja, is a Sierra Leonean Nigerian singer, visual artist and songwriter. She is currently signed to Mavin Records. In 2009, she released her first single "Rock Steady" which was nominated for Best Urban/R&B Single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards. Moreover, she won the Best New Artist award at the 2008 Beat Music Awards.[1][2]
Early life
Di'Ja has lived in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the United States and Canada. Her mother is from Northern Nigeria and her father is from Sierra Leone. At a young age, Di'Ja committed herself to academia and earned a double degree in Biology and Psychology. After earning the aforementioned degrees, Di'Ja found passion in music, art and philosophy.[3]
Music career
Her music career started in 2008.[4] In 2012, Di'Ja released several singles including "Dan'Iska (Rudebwoy)", "Hold On (Ba Damuwa)" and "How Can We Be Friends".[5] On February 14, 2014, Don Jazzy announced the addition of Di'Ja to Mavin Records.[3] Her first official single under Mavin Records was also released on February 14, 2014. The song, which is titled "Yaro", is an up-tempo celebration of love and commitment against all odds. It infuses Hausa and Krio dialects in honour of her Nigerian and Sierra Leonean roots.[6]
In May 2014, Di'Ja was featured on "Dorobucci" alongside label mates Don Jazzy, Dr SID, Tiwa Savage, D'Prince, Korede Bello and Reekado Banks.[7] In May 2014, an animated video was released for "Dorobucci".[8] As of 21 June 2014, "Dorobucci" has received over 12 million downloads since its release.[9] Di'Ja was featured on "Arise" alongside Don Jazzy and Reekado Banks.[10]
Awards and nominations
Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act to Watch | Herself | Nominated | [11] |
2009 | Canadian Radio Music Awards | Best Urban/R&B Single | Nominated | [1][2] | |
2008 | Beat Music Awards | Best New Artist | Herself | Won |
|2015 |Headies award |Best alternative song |herself |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated
Discography
Singles
Year | Title | Album |
---|---|---|
2008 | "Rock Steady" | Non-album single |
2012 | "How Can We Be Friends" | |
2013 | "Dan'Iska (Rudebwoy)" | |
"Hold On (Ba Damuwa)" | ||
2014 | "Yaro" | |
"Dorobucci"[12] (with Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, D'Prince, Reekado Banks, and Korede Bello) |
TBA | |
"Awww"[13] | ||
"Adaobi"[14] (with Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Don Jazzy) | ||
2015 | "Looku Looku" | |
2016 | "Take Kiss"[15] | — |
Videography
Year | Title | Album | Director | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Take Kiss | — | Adasa Cookey | [16] |
2016 | Falling For You | — | Unlimited L.A | [17] |
2014 | Aww | N/A | Unlimited L.A |
References
- ^ a b Abimboye, Micheal (15 February 2014). "Nigerian Entertainment Round-up: Donjazzy's Mavin Records signs on new artiste' Di'Ja". Premium Times. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ a b Filani, Omotola (14 February 2014). "Don Jazzy signs female act Di'Ja to Mavin Records". Daily Post Newspaper. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ a b Alonge, Osagie (14 February 2014). "Don Jazzy signs new act Di'ja to Mavin Records, 2 more to follow". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ "Mavin Boss Don Jazzy Signs New Act Di'ja to Mavin Records, 2 more to follow". Information Nigeria. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ "Must Listen! Di'Ja presents "Dan'Iska (Rudebwoy)" and "Hold On (Ba Damuwa)"". Bellanaija. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ S, Deji (14 February 2014). "Introducing Don Jazzy's New Artiste Di'ja! Listen to Her New Single – Yaro". bellanaija. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ S, Quedy (1 May 2014). "MUSIC: Mavins – Dorobucci ft Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage, Dprince, Di'Ja, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks". 360nobs. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ Chic Benita (9 June 2014). "Download VIDEO : Mavin Allstar -Dorobucci AnimatedVideo". Ogusbaba. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
- ^ Soft Dude-GP (23 June 2014). "Dorobucci By Mavin All Stars Hits 12 Million Downloads". View Nigeria. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ View Nigeria (21 September 2014). "The Mavins – Arise Ft. Don Jazzy, Reekado Banks & Di'Ja". View Nigeria. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ Abimboye, Micheal (31 May 2014). "Pop duo, Skuki, reject Nigerian Entertainment Awards nomination". Premium Times. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ^ Opeoluwani, Akintayo (10 May 2014). "MUSIC REVIEW: 'Dorobucci' Could Have Been Better With D'Banj". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ MavinRecords (16 December 2014), Di'Ja - Awww Music Video, retrieved 12 May 2016
- ^ "New Music: Mavins Feat. Di'Ja, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello – Adaobi". Bellanaija. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ^ "New Music Di'Ja – 'Take Kiss' ft. BabyFresh". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ "Di'Ja Singer is playful and adorable in 'Take kiss' video". Pulse.ng. Joay Akan. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ "Di'Ja, Patoranking Stars become colourful lovers in 'Falling for you' video". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 3 February 2016.