Dija Aphropop Vol.1 EP Review
When you are the only female artiste in one of Nigerians biggest music Record label, then you have to live up to the status. Dija have never been that kind of artist who would go all out with her music hence she got settled down even when she was at the peak of her fame. That singular act reduced her ratings in the hearts of fans. From the perspective of a musician who have worked so hard to secure fame, he or she can tag that move as a bad move. 2020 have been the year that she have been trying to get herself back to the fans musical radar. And this extended play project which she titles “Aphropop Vol.1” is a real compilation of at least three possible hits or flop.
POSSIBLE HITS OR FLOPS.
At first listen, “Jonah” gave me that drive that any dance song its. The alternate beat which she vocals her lyrics will get anyone dancing. Jonah can get her back to the place she was if well promoted. Another song which joins it closely is “All the Time”. The song has that maturity in lyrics and production that it gives good groove in the mind of a listener.
THE PRODUCTION
Special attention and creative credit has to be given to Nigerian Hit maker: DJ Coublon for his mastery on the EP. The way he glides with Dija shows that they share a very cool musical chemistry. If I was DIja, I will stick with him like Simi have been with Oscar for some years. Dj Coublon improved her sound not just lyrically but variety wise. Being able to fuse Hausa/Fulani sound flavour in “Inyamuri” is just an out of the box thinking.
THE THEME
As usual this EP is compilation of love songs. Dija made some of the best pure Afropop love song that one could vibe to. One can easily equate it with the songs made her Tiwa Savage in her Celia Album because of the very rich love lyrics with dancing vibe. In the song which she titles: “All the time”; she sings about loving her lover all the time. According to her, her lover is sweet as sugar cane. Hence she promise to use her love and affection for him to suffocate him. “Inyamuri” is song that she creates with a Hausa/Fulani sound that she uses to talk of a new found lover of hers who is from northern Nigeria. She sings about how he treats her nice and spends lavishly on her while being funny and homely at same time.
In arguably the best song on the playlist titled “Jonah” she uses some of the best lyrical poetry to tell a tale of a fictional lover of hers called Jonah. She uses the song to express the way she needs her lover like different Nigerian food delicacy. Listening to this song would make one think of food while feeling the well-crafted love letter to her lover. The creativity is top notch.
Working on a song with Sunkey they made a song titled “Crazy”. The song talks about being attracted, addicted and crazy about one’s lover. The song which is a mid tempo ponpon song could get one enjoying it while driving. In another song which has elements of Hausa/Fulani vibe, she sings some real northern Nigerian folk songs in some interesting ways. Even one who does not understand jack in Hausa or Fulani could feel the vibe from start to finish.
In summary, I will advise that the Mavin record label should try to invest in this EP because they need another A-list female act. Dija did well on this project and if well promoted could give her that post.
Dija Aphropop Vol.1 EP Review
