Di'Ja

Hadiza Blell, now Hadiza Blell-Olo, better known by her stage name Di'Ja, is a Nigerian singer. 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]

Hadiza
Birth name	Hadiza Blell
Born	August 14th 1984
Genres	R&B pop Afrobeat Afropop
Occupations	Singer songwriter
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Mavin Records
Website	dijanation.com

Early life and education

Di'Ja has lived in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the United States and Canada. Her mother, Asma'u Blell is from Nigeria and her father, Amb Joseph Blell is from Sierra Leone.

Di'Ja's received a joint degree in biology and psychology.^[3]

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 14 February 2014, Di'Ja signed a record deal with Don Jazzy's Mavin Records.^[3] "Yaro", her first official single under the label was also released that same day. 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] She was also featured on "Arise", alongside Don Jazzy and Reekado Banks. On 15 December 2017, Di'Ja released her extended play Aphrodija, which also features guest vocals from Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks.^[8][9]

She dropped a hit track titled "one talk" at the Calabar edition of the Mega Music Nationwide Tour organized by Globacom Telecommunication Company. in May 2017.^[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	Rock steady	Nominated	[1][2]
2008	Beat Music Awards	Best New Artist	Herself	Won

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)
	"Awww"[13]
	"Adaobi"[14] (with Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Don Jazzy)
2015	"Looku Looku"
2016	"Take Kiss"[15]
2017	"Air"
2019	“Omotena”	"Di’Ja EP"
2024	''Soyaya''	Single

Videography

Year	Title	Album	Director	Ref
2016	"Take Kiss"	Non-album single	Adasa Cookey	[16]
2016	"Falling for You"		Unlimited L.A	[17]
2014	"Aww"		Unlimited L.A

References

1. 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.
2. Filani, Omotola (14 February 2014). "Don Jazzy signs female act Di'Ja to Mavin Records". Daily Post Newspaper. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
3. Alonge, Osagie (14 February 2014). "Don Jazzy signs new act Di'ja to Mavin Records, 2 more to follow". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
4. "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.
5. "Must Listen! Di'Ja presents "Dan'Iska (Rudebwoy)" and "Hold On (Ba Damuwa)"". Bellanaija. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
6. S, Deji (14 February 2014). "Introducing Don Jazzy's New Artiste Di'ja! Listen to Her New Single – Yaro". bellanaija. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
7. S, Quedy (1 May 2014). "MUSIC: Mavins – Dorobucci ft Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage, Dprince, Di'Ja, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
8. ""Aphrodija" Offers a More Complete Expressive Di'ja". Pulse. 18 December 2017.
9. View Nigeria (21 September 2014). "The Mavins – Arise Ft. Don Jazzy, Reekado Banks & Di'Ja". View Nigeria. Archived from the original on 30 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
10. "Di'ja drops new hit track at Calabar Glo Mega Music Tour". Vanguard News. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
11. Abimboye, Micheal (31 May 2014). "Pop duo, Skuki, reject Nigerian Entertainment Awards nomination". Premium Times. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
12. Opeoluwani, Akintayo (10 May 2014). "MUSIC REVIEW: 'Dorobucci' Could Have Been Better With D'Banj". Daily Times of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
13. MavinRecords (16 December 2014), Di'Ja - Awww Music Video, retrieved 12 May 2016
14. "New Music: Mavins Feat. Di'Ja, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello – Adaobi". Bellanaija. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
15. "New Music Di'Ja – 'Take Kiss' ft. BabyFresh". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. 25 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
16. "Di'Ja Singer is playful and adorable in 'Take kiss' video". Pulse.ng. Joay Akan. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
17. "Di'Ja, Patoranking Stars become colourful lovers in 'Falling for you' video". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.

External links

• Official website