Hadiza Blell, popularly known as Di’ja, is a singer, song-writer and performer. Signed to the Don Jazzy led record label, Mavin Records, in 2013, the Sierra Leonean- Nigerian continues to raise the bar the music industry with the release of every new song.
In this interview, the Mavin’s baby girl tells Newton-Ray Ukwuoma all about her latest song, Awww, her motivations, background and the journey to the Mavin Supreme Dynasty.
What is it with the title of your new song “Awww”?
Awww! You know like when you see something you love, or a cute little baby, you are like “awww!” The song is more about the feeling you get from it as opposed to it being said. Awww is the feeling the song gives you, it is not just a title. In any case, it was also mentioned in the background. (Don) Jazzy was doing some work on the background.
With all the reviews this song has received, what would you say inspired it?
I think the story is not necessarily about me all the time. To be honest, it is more about being inspired by the beat. Don Jazzy and I worked together on it. The song itself was a combination of great energy. However, I am sure everyone has somebody they have liked. We have heard a lot from the guy’s perspective; so, this is something from a girl’s perspective. This is just a girl expressing herself. I think the inspiration lies on the fact that I wanted to do something different. I wanted to tell a story many girls wouldn’t tell.
You started with Yaro, then Dorobucci and Adaobi, but something seemed different about Awww. Can you tell us what you hoped to achieve with the song?
We all have sides of ourselves which are either hidden or recessive. That you are a strong person does not necessarily mean that you do not have a soft spot. I think the beautiful side of me came out in the Awww video.
A lot of people would like to see more of this beautiful side in the future. What do you have to say?
I have been working. We never have stopped working. We are very grateful that people are loving the song, people from different age groups. So, I can’t wait to share the rest of the stuff we have been doing. To answer your question directly, I will definitely keep the tempo going. Recording for me involves a lot of patience and creativity. I am learning different things and I am going to be putting them into my music. You said you saw something different in “Awww”; I would say it is a product of constant learning. I am learning every day.
It has been two years since you joined the Mavin records. How did this journey begin?
My manager was the one that gave me the opportunity to meet Don Jazzy. It was the best day of my life because I didn’t expect it. He told me we were going to a studio to meet with a producer. I didn’t know it was Don Jazzy. When we got to the studio, I was sharing my songs with some of the guys around when Don Jazzy walked in. It was amazing. It was both exciting and scary. However, he listened to two of my songs. I saw the beam in his face and could tell he liked the songs. And like they say, the rest is history.
Working with Don Jazzy has been an amazing adventure. It’s been crazy because I am learning new things, I am learning to do things with my voice that I never really did. Working with everybody else in Mavin has been really great. We brush up one another’s ideas. It is a creative assembly.
Some of your fans would like to know the Di’Ja story?
It will take more than this interview to tell my story.
Then you should make it brief.
Di’Ja’s story is a story of a hard worker, who has preserved in spite of rejections and slammed doors. Di’ja’s story is pretty much like everybody’s story. Di’ja is a woman who is looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, is working hard to enjoy what she is doing and making her job a career. Making music is my story. And it just began. I still have a long way to go before I can tell a great story. So I will have to stop here for now.
How long have you been in the music industry?
I have been doing music for quite awhile before something else opened up. I have a story there too. But I think everybody has that period where they observe a break. That is why I said that my story is about perseverance. It is about not taking No just because someone does not like the ideas I bring.
You have a Nigerian and Sierra Leonean parentage. Has that influenced your career?
I believe that it is a great privilege to have mixed parentage. It allows you to be more tolerable of other people. For me, this opportunity to have many cultures within my family and other people has opened my mind to a lot of things. It has given me more boldness to express different thoughts. I use Hausa and pidgin in my lyrics. It is a necessary blend because I feel different people from different places would be able to relate with me.
Let’s talk fashion….
(Cuts in) I do not really know fashion. I get confused with it. I might enjoy music and many other different things, but I don’t know if I know fashion like that. I see things that I love and I try to make them look nice on me. Honestly, I don’t know if I have a style. I dress for the occasion.
I see green everywhere. Do you have a thing for green?
Yes, I like green because green is the colour of existence. There is hardly any useful thing in life that is not associated with green. It is the colour of tranquility. If I see a green plant somewhere, I know there is water somewhere feeding the plant. I relate green to good things.
How long have you been in Nigeria?
I went to school here. I just did about few years abroad. Nigeria is home.
Are you in a relationship?
Are you?
But imagine the inspiration in Awww, one would think someone somewhere is supplying the energy.
That is what I keep telling you. Awww was not inspired by one particular person…. You want me to say something that is not there.
Does it mean you are not in a relationship?
I didn’t say I am or I am not in a relationship.
So, what are you saying?
Let’s move on to another question.
What quality takes your breath away in a man?
A good man. I just want a good person. I think we try to categorise too many things. I like to believe that I am a medium from which life emanates. And I wouldn’t like to breathe life into something good. Whatever energy I attract will make a great relationship for me. Good energy, good people, good vibe equals good relationship.
What is your favourite meal?
I like everything, I don’t eat pork though. But I have tried most things once. Garri and beans is my staple food. People say Gaari Ijebu is the best. For me, once cold water mixes with my garri, it is good to go. I like groundnut, but groundnut doesn’t like me. It makes me break out. I try to run away from it. I take plantain (boli) without groundnut.