Besa | |
|---|---|
 Kokëdhima performing in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Besa Kokëdhima |
| Born | (1986-05-29)29 May 1986 (age 38) Fier,PSR Albania |
| Origin | Qeparo,Vlorë, Albania |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Independent |
Besa Kokëdhima (Albanian pronunciation:[ˈbɛsakɔk(ə)ˈðima]; born 29 May 1986), also knownmononymously asBesa, is an Albanian singer. In 2013, she won the 15th edition ofKënga Magjike. She representedAlbania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Titan".
Kokëdhima was born on 29 May 1986 into an Albanian family in the city ofFier then part of thePeople'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 producerFlorian 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 andStine.
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 theSelecţia Naţională inRomania for theEurovision Song Contest, with the English-language song "Nothin' Gonna Change", and reached the semi-finals.[6] In 2010, Besa competed inTop 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 aChristmas 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 wonKënga Magjike. Besa has been a judge on the Albanian television showThe Voice of Albania since 2017,[16] and was voted[citation needed] as Albania's favourite judge later in the series byTop 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 theFestivali i Këngës 62 with the song "Zemrën n'dorë",[24] where she won the public vote and was selected to representAlbania in theEurovision 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]
| 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" (featuringMajk) | |||
| "Arabia (Faj)" (featuring Gmd Babydave) | |||
| "Amelia" (featuring Mattyas) | 2015 | ||
| "14" | |||
| "All In" | |||
| "Kameleon" (featuring Ansi) | 2016 | — | |
| "123" (featuringFlori 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" (withLyrical Son) | — | ||
| "Zemrën n'dorë" | 2023 | — | |
| "Engjëjt vrasin njëlloj" (with Marin Hoxha) | — | ||
| "Inshallah" (with Impar) | 2024 | — | |
| "Plastic Heart" (with Marin Hoxha) | — | ||
| "Titan" | — | ||
| "Aman" (with Marin Hoxha) | — | ||
| "Tiki" | 2025 | — | |
| "Pergjithmone" (with Buci) | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alban Skenderaj with "Rrefuzoj" | Kënga Magjike Winner 2013 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
