Besa (singer)
Besa Kokëdhima (Albanian pronunciation: [ˈbɛsa kɔk(ə)ˈðima]; born 29 May 1986), also known mononymously as Besa, is an Albanian singer. In 2013, she won the 15th edition of Kënga Magjike. She represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Titan".
Besa | |
|---|---|
Kokëdhima performing in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Besa Kokëdhima |
| Born | 29 May 1986 Fier, Albania |
| Origin | Qeparo, Vlorë, Albania |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Independent |
Life and career edit
Kokëdhima was born on 29 May 1986 into an Albanian family in the city of Fier then part of the People's Socialist Republic, present Albania.[1][2][3] At the age of 15, she emigrated to the United Kingdom to pursue higher education.[3] In 2003, Besa released her debut song "Më Beso", which was written by producer Florian Mumajesi, and featured the then newly formed Albanian group Produkt 28. The song was awarded "Mikorofoni I Artë" in 2003. Besa released her debut album, titled "Besa", in 2006.[4] The album was written in collaboration with well-known Albanian music industry personalities, including Dorian Gjoni, Flori Mumajesi, Genti Lako, Andy DJ and Stine.
Besa has participated in a number of music contests including "Notafest", where she was awarded first prize for the R&B single "Lëshoje Hapin".[5] In 2009, Besa participated in the Selecţia Naţională in Romania for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the English-language song "Nothin' Gonna Change", and reached the semi-finals.[6] In 2010, Besa competed in Top Fest and won Best Female Singer with her single "Kalorësi i Natës". Since 2010, Besa has released a number of singles, including "Fishekzjarre", in 2012, "Burning" in 2013, and "Zemrën Dot Nuk ta Lexoj" in 2014. These were commercially successful and well received.[7][8][9][10][11]
Besa has released two albums, titled “Besa për Festat” and “Ti Je Festa Ime”.[12][13] The tracks were accompanied by music videos featuring Besa and the National Orchestra. The album also featured a Christmas Version of the song “Tatuazh ne Zemer”. The album “Ti Je Festa Ime” received positive reviews, with one article calling the album ‘one of the most well-received projects of the year’.[14][15] In 2013, Besa won Kënga Magjike. Besa has been a judge on the Albanian television show The Voice of Albania since 2017,[16] and was voted[citation needed] as Albania's favourite judge later in the series by Top Channel polls.
Besa made her debut in France with her French ballad "En Equilibre" in June 2022, which was positively received.[17][18][19][20][21][22] "En Equilibre" is the first of her upcoming debut album produced within the French music industry.[23][20][22] In 2023, she was selected to compete in the Festivali i Këngës 62 with the song "Zemrën n'dorë",[24] where she won the public vote and was selected to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[25] At the contest, the song was performed in an English version, titled "Titan".[26] Besa failed to qualify from the second semi-final, placing 15th out of 16 with 14 points.[27][28]
Discography edit
Albums edit
- Besa (2006)
- Evolution (2011)
- Besa për festat (2013)
- Ti je festa ime (2014)
Singles edit
As lead artist edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALB [29] | |||
| "Më beso" (with Produkt 28) | 2003 | — | Besa |
| "Zonja dhe Zotërinj" | 2005 | ||
| "Lëshoje hapin" | 2006 | ||
| "Tani të dua" | Non-album singles | ||
| "Unik" | 2007 | ||
| "Pa yllin tënd" | |||
| "Engjëjt vrasin njëlloj" | 2008 | ||
| "Ajër" | |||
| "Nothin' Gonna Change" | 2009 | ||
| "Kalorës i natës" | 2010 | ||
| "Nuk jam ajo" (featuring Jehona Sopi) | |||
| "E bukura dhe bisha" | |||
| "Botën do ndryshoja" | 2011 | ||
| "Always On My Mind" | 2012 | ||
| "Fishekzjarre" | |||
| "Folie" | 2013 | ||
| "Tatuazh në zemër" | |||
| "Zemrën dot nuk ta lexoj" (featuring 2po2) | 2014 | ||
| "Mbretëreshë" | |||
| "Zejemër" (featuring Majk) | |||
| "Arabia (Faj)" (featuring Gmd Babydave) | |||
| "Amelia" (featuring Mattyas) | 2015 | ||
| "14" | |||
| "All In" | |||
| "Kameleon" (featuring Ansi) | 2016 | — | |
| "123" (featuring Flori Mumajesi) | 8 | ||
| "Hangover" | — | ||
| "Kokëfortë" | 2017 | — | |
| "Mos m'le me ra" (featuring Elinel) | — | ||
| "Amor" | 2018 | — | |
| "La La La" | 2019 | — | |
| "Histori" | — | ||
| "C'est la vie" (featuring BledBeats) | 2020 | 1 | |
| "Don" (featuring Illeoon) | — | ||
| "Margjelo" (with Garrido) | 2021 | — | |
| "En equilibre" | 2022 | — | |
| "Si kalama" (with Lyrical Son) | — | ||
| "Zemrën n'dorë" | 2023 | — | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
References edit
- ^ "Besa Kokëdhima Biografia" (in Albanian). TeksteShqip. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ (in Albanian). Top Channel. 15 February 2018. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Besa Kokëdhima Biografia" (in Albanian). Dua. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Albumi: Besa – Besa".
- ^ BESA – Engjëjt vrasin njëlloj, 100 Vjet Muzikë (YouTube)
- ^ . teksteshqip.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ . teksteshqip.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ . teksteshqip.com. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ . teksteshqip.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ . teksteshqip.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ . www.mapo.al. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ . top-channel.tv. 13 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Sorties, Selection. "Besa • En Equilibre". Sélection Sorties (in French). Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ Schiffmacher, Sébastien (25 June 2022). "BESA : l'artiste albanaise sort le clip officiel "En équilibre"". Ma Musique Communautaire (in French). Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ FDS (23 June 2022). "CLIP DU JOUR : "En équilibre" avec Besa". Fringues de séries (in French). Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Besa : la star albanaise arrive en France avec le clip "En Equilibre" ! - ActuMédias.fr | Webzine 100% culturel & musique événement sportif !". actumedias.fr. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ ""En Equilibre" le titre de la star albanaise BESA". Mes rendez-vous (in French). 13 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Besa, la star albanaise débarque en France avec "En Equilibre" - Kodd Magazine". kodd-magazine.com (in French). 6 July 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ KHENG, Vincent (10 June 2022). ""En équilibre", le nouveau single de Besa". Just Music (in French). Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ Juhász, Ervin (17 October 2023). "Meet all the participants of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës!". ESCBubble. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "Albania: Besa wins ticket to Eurovision 2024". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (5 March 2024). "Albania: Besa Announces 'Titan' Release on March 11". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (9 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final 2 Results and Qualifiers". wiwibloggs. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ Sturtridge, Isaac. "REVEALED: The Eurovision 2024 semi-final and final jury/televote detailed voting results". ESCXTRA. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
- For "123": (in Albanian). Top Channel. 19 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- For "C'est la vie": (in Albanian). Top Channel. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.