After what seemed like an eternity, Di’ja is back in the studio, as new pictures released over the weekend has shown. Decked in an Adidas sports suit, the beautiful mother of one was surrounded by her brothers-in-mics, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello, as well as some friends and colleagues at Mavin Records.
Last year, the Mavin Records singer took time out to get married in style and secret to her lover Rotimi (surname not provided). She got pregnant, and made extra effort to shield it, and now it’s all out in the open. A new baby comes with its responsibility and demands, which would put Di’ja on a full-time job as a mother. She has 6 months or perhaps more to forge a bond with her child, and nurture him to a certain level, where she can rely on extra help while she frees herself for a return to her career.
Turns out that she has freed herself earlier than thought, and the music which is her lifeblood is on its way to being made. Of course she will return to the studio under the watchful and masterful hands of Don Jazzy who would produce her work. That is a given. But what isn’t is how she will have to release the projects to announce her comeback.
A single?
Two singles?
An EP?
An Album?
Four choices lie before the singer. The first is too basic. Di’ja can release a single in her sleep, or while even taking a crap. That’s way too easy, and would just be another day in the life of the Mavins. Two singles will be awesome. A great way to flood the market with Di’ja content, give us more than a teaser, and have us listening to two songs from the slender lady with the eccentric style. An EP? Nah. Too formulaic, and it is not Don Jazzy’s style to drop an EP. Throughout his tremendously successful history in music, he has not worked his team to create an EP.
An album is the way to go. It ticks all the right boxes. First we get a solid body of work from the singer, complete with features and all the ingredients to make it special. There would be a huge press campaign to push it, all the PR mechanisms will be oiled and unleashed, and Di’ja will be back. Truly back from motherhood and all its holiday. But this will be the least likeliest to happen. This year Mavin Records are planning to drop Reekado Banks’ album, and all the strategy and resources are being channelled to that end. Can they afford another? Yes. But the spotlight will have to be shared by two artistes from the same house. That’s twice the bill, twice the manpower, twice the effort, twice the Mavins.
But the benefits are immense. Last year, they were in a similar position with Tiwa Savage, their firstlady. She came back stronger with the “R.E.D”, and we know how that has worked out well for her. Mavin Records have grown to be one of the greatest powerhouses of African music, and by releasing new albums, they mark this time in history, and further strengthen their position and the wealth of their catalogue. They need this as much as the artiste does. Di’ja is ripe for it, and a comeback album is a sure way to get back with a bang.