Di'Ja

Hadiza
Born
Hadiza Blell

(1984-08-14) 14 August 1984 (age 42)
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2002–present
LabelMavin Records
Websitedijanation.com

Hadiza Blell (born 14 August 1984), known professionally as Di'Ja, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. 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. She also won the Best New Artist award at the 2008 Beat Music Awards. In 2014, she signed with Mavin Records.

Early life and education

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

Di'Ja earned a joint degree in biology and psychology.

Career

Di'Ja began her music career in 2008. In 2012, she released several singles, including "Dan'Iska (Rudebwoy)", "Hold On (Ba Damuwa)" and "How Can We Be Friends". On 14 February 2014, Di'Ja signed a record deal with Don Jazzy's Mavin Records. "Yaro", her first official single under the label was released the same day. It infuses Hausa and Krio dialects in honour of her Nigerian and Sierra Leonean heritage.

In May 2014, Di'Ja was featured on "Dorobucci" alongside labelmates Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage, D'Prince, Korede Bello and Reekado Banks. She was also featured on "Arise", alongside Don Jazzy and Reekado Banks. On 15 December 2017, Di'Ja released her extended play Aphrodija, featuring guest appearances from Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks.

In May 2017, she performed the song "One Talk" at the Calabar edition of the Mega Music Nationwide Tour organised by Globacom Telecommunication Company.

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Most Promising Act to Watch Herself Nominated
2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards Best Urban/R&B Single "Rock Steady" Nominated
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"
(with Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid, D'Prince, Reekado Banks, and Korede Bello)
"Awww"
"Adaobi"
(with Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Don Jazzy)
2015 "Looku Looku"
2016 "Take Kiss"
2017 "Air"
2019 "Omotena" Di'Ja EP
2024 ''Soyaya'' Single

Videography

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

References

  1. 1 2 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. 1 2 Filani, Omotola (14 February 2014). "Don Jazzy signs female act Di'Ja to Mavin Records". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  3. 1 2 Alonge, Osagie (14 February 2014). "Don Jazzy signs new act Di'ja to Mavin Records, 2 more to follow". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. 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 Nigeria. 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. Lagos, Nigeria. 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. ↑ "Listen to Dija's EP containing 4 new songs". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Di'Ja Singer is playful and adorable in 'Take kiss' video". Pulse.ng. Joay Akan. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  18. ↑ "Di'Ja, Patoranking Stars become colourful lovers in 'Falling for you' video". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.