Guardian

DONNA AJa, otherwise known as Donna Diva, is not new in the Nigerian music scene. However, her first single, shut up, made little impact majorly due to low publicity. Though the song got pass mark from some critics, who saw it as different from the usual Naija composition norm, the track failed to successfully launch Donna.

In what seems like a deliberate effort to capture the market, Diva, who has been singing with a live band for over five years, where her professional career began, is back with a new song, Gaga.

“Gaga is officially my second single, though I stayed too long behind the scenes after my first album, Shut up. So, I just decided that I would come up with something this year,” she said.

On the choice of Gaga for a title, the graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University explained, “I wanted to do something extremely creative for the video, so, I titled it Gaga. It just means you should loosen yourself and just enjoy the music and relax. I only found a title to interpret the video in a unique way. I used my experience to do that song; usually when I’m angry or sad, I use music to cool off and I know that people love music be it local or international. We all love music and different genres have a way of making you feel differently, depending on your mood. It’s basically talking of the role of music in every human’s life.”

Comparing the two songs, Donna says, “Shut up is good too and I did that song for people who like running others down for no reason. It was borne out of my personal experience, which made me very mad; a lot of people experience such too. You hear people say things like, ‘I just don’t like this girl, I don’t know why,’ and I think it’s stupid. Besides when people see you attempting something, they discourage you by saying things like, ‘don’t even bother, I have tried it before and it didn’t work.”

The track, according to Donna, is also a sort of encouragement to young artistes, who struggle everyday to break into limelight.

“The song is actually talking to such people and also encouraging those going through such to believe in themselves; to love themselves and never let anybody run them down. The single pushed me out there and gave me recognition, which I’m riding on right now.”

She continued: “Just like Gaga, Shut up is different from the usual Nigerian thing, it is not the commercial everybody come and shake you buddy, it is more of this angry girl pouring out her heart.”

The artist who grew up thinking she was going to act as a result of watching Liz Benson, says, “My work will stand out any where because I try to do things that are not too commercial but cut across all races. With time, I might do the kind of thing Nigerians love but I will not loose my flavor by being too commercial. I do all my costumes by myself because I also have a passion for fashion so anything you see in my videos, including those of the dancers I did it. When my music takes roots properly, I will launch a fashion label as well.”

According to her, “When I sent the song to my manager in the U.K. where we where supposed to have started promotions, he was very impressed with it and he said the song would sell anywhere.”

Talking on the challenges she faced, Donna appealed to public give every talent an opportunity t0p showcase their work.

“Because everywhere we go, we are begging to be given a chance. People must understand that there are raw talents out there that must be given a chance. You must not wait until the person strived to grow before you reckon with them.”

Another challenge facing upcoming artistes, according to the singer, has to do with meeting like minds.

“Meeting the right people who really believe in your dream and help it grow instead of killing it. Sometimes, you give your money to people who are supposed to help you do things, but they just pocket it and go home and relax; I’m hoping that all that will change,” she frowned.

Surprisingly, Gaga is a collaborative effort by Donna and her brother.

“I’m privilege to have the support of my family, so I have a little studio at home where we produced the song. I decide to set the studio up so that I can take my time and do my thing the way I want; not that I will pay for studio sessions and when I’m not satisfied, I will go to another just to get the satisfaction I want. This way, I have also helped many of my friends who also have the same challenge.”

Urging up comers to pay attention to their career, Donna is of the opinion that music is not as easy as many used to think.

“I take my time to creatively write my lyrics and most people would swear my videos are not done here; every element of it is carefully thought of and produced here in Lagos, Precisely Epe and some scenes in the studio. Creativity and originality are keys,” she harped.

Asked why she decided dump her Business Administration for a career in music, she explained that, “there is a saying that when you do what you enjoy doing, you don’t feel you are working. Since singing to me is a lot of fun, I just chose to have fun and still make money while doing so. Above all, I was born an artiste; besides, I just want to be my own boss.”

Meanwhile, Donna has not participated in any Nigerian musical reality show. Not because she doesn’t believe in anyone of them but according to her, “I was doing a lot of travelling because of the band; I didn’t have time to participate in any as much as I wanted to. Though I took part in a reality show in U.K. which is called the Surface Festival and got to the third position, but I have not done any here because I have been busy.”

On this premise, she considers herself an international artiste.

“That is why my job must be of standard. I’m looking to be everywhere in another two years; something really big.”

She regrets that the break between Shut up and Gaga was too long.

“I will not wait for that long anymore; I intend to be dropping singles every now and then and start thinking of going back to the studio to make a full album.”

The Urhobo born artist is happy that Nigerian music is going places.

“You can hear some of our music being played even abroad in some clubs, so, I hope that in a short time our music will be completely accepted.”

Apart from creatively writing her lyrics, “my videos are creatively done. Every element of it is carefully thought of. From costumes to whatever you see, and all done here in Nigeria.”