:Besa (singer)
{{Short description|Albanian singer (born 1986)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Besa02.jpg
| caption = Kokëdhima performing in 2024
| birth_name = Besa Kokëdhima
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|5|29|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Fier, PSR Albania
| origin = Qeparo, Vlorë, Albania
| genre =
| label = Independent
| occupation = Singer
| years_active = 2003{{ndash}}present
| associated_acts =
}}
Besa Kokëdhima ({{IPA|sq|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 {{lang|sq|Kënga Magjike|italics=no}}. She represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Titan".
Life and career
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.{{cite web |title=Besa Kokëdhima Biografia |url=https://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/biografia |access-date=20 February 2021 |publisher=TeksteShqip |language=sq |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127015815/https://teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/biografia |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Besa Kokëdhima #Bio |date=15 February 2018 |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/artist/besa-kokedhima/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025161051/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/artist/besa-kokedhima/ |archive-date=25 October 2020 |access-date=20 February 2021 |publisher=Top Channel |language=sq}}{{cite web |publisher=Dua |title=Besa Kokëdhima Biografia |date=6 May 2014 |url=https://www.dua.com/shqipedia/besa-kokedhima/ |access-date=20 February 2021 |language=sq |archive-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220111803/https://www.dua.com/shqipedia/besa-kokedhima/ |url-status=live }} At the age of 15, she emigrated to the United Kingdom to pursue higher education. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/albumi-13617.php|title=Albumi: Besa – Besa|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224114152/https://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/albumi-13617.php|url-status=live}} 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".{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCgcHoPyen8 |title=BESA – Engjëjt vrasin njëlloj, 100 Vjet Muzikë (YouTube) |access-date=16 November 2013 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922140507/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCgcHoPyen8 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_4506.php|title=Pushton Skenën Muzikore Rumune|website=teksteshqip.com|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207214542/http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_4506.php|archive-date=7 December 2013|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_1717.php|title=Besa: Gati kënga për Top Fest|website=teksteshqip.com|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930041446/http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_1717.php|archive-date=30 September 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_5182.php|title=Besa Kokëdhima dhe surriza e saj verore|website=teksteshqip.com|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230085808/http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_5182.php|archive-date=30 December 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_4506.php|title=Besa pushton skenën muzikore rumune|website=teksteshqip.com|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207214542/http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_4506.php|archive-date=7 December 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_2671.php|title=Besa: Rikthehet në Rumani për këngën e re|website=teksteshqip.com|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221192351/http://www.teksteshqip.com/besa-kokedhima/lajme_2671.php|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.telegrafi.com/magazina/2po2-duet-me-besa-kokedhimen-6-21213.html |title=2po2 duet me Besa Kokëdhimën |access-date=18 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118070250/http://www.telegrafi.com/magazina/2po2-duet-me-besa-kokedhimen-6-21213.html |archive-date=18 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}
Besa has released two albums, titled “Besa për Festat” and “Ti Je Festa Ime”.{{Cite web |url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/p.php?id=37396 |title=Besa, 8 këngë për festat e fundvitit (VIDEO) - Shekulli Online |access-date=18 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118070240/http://www.shekulli.com.al/p.php?id=37396 |archive-date=18 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mapo.al/2014/12/besa-vjen-me-ti-je-festa-ime/|title=Besa vjen me "Ti je festa ime" – Gazeta Mapo|website=www.mapo.al|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109080902/http://www.mapo.al/2014/12/besa-vjen-me-ti-je-festa-ime|archive-date=9 November 2017|url-status=dead}} 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’.{{cite web|url=http://tvklan.al/besa-ti-je-festa-ime/|title=TV KLAN – Besa: Ti je festa ime|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118070311/http://tvklan.al/besa-ti-je-festa-ime/|archive-date=18 January 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=18 January 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.shekulli.com.al/p.php?id=62120 |title="Ti je festa ime", kënga dhe albumi i ri festiv nga Besa - Shekulli Online |access-date=18 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118070257/http://www.shekulli.com.al/p.php?id=62120 |archive-date=18 January 2015 |url-status=dead }} In 2013, Besa won Kënga Magjike. Besa has been a judge on the Albanian television show The Voice of Albania since 2017,{{cite web|url=http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=337819|title=Besa, trajnere në "The Voice of Albania 6"!|date=October 13, 2016| website=top-channel.tv|access-date=January 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219171132/http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=337819|archive-date=19 February 2017|url-status=dead}} and was voted{{cite needed|date=January 2024}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Sorties |first=Selection |title=Besa • En Equilibre |url=https://www.selectionsorties.net/2022/06/besa-en-equilibre.html |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Sélection Sorties |language=fr |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163603/https://www.selectionsorties.net/2022/06/besa-en-equilibre.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Schiffmacher |first=Sébastien |date=2022-06-25 |title=BESA : l'artiste albanaise sort le clip officiel "En équilibre" |url=https://ma-musique-communautaire.com/besa-artiste-albanaise-clip-officiel-en-equilibre/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Ma Musique Communautaire |language=fr-FR |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163619/https://ma-musique-communautaire.com/besa-artiste-albanaise-clip-officiel-en-equilibre/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=FDS |date=2022-06-23 |title=CLIP DU JOUR : "En équilibre" avec Besa |url=https://www.fringuesdeseries.com/clip-du-jour-en-equilibre-avec-besa/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Fringues de séries |language=fr-FR |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172646/https://www.fringuesdeseries.com/clip-du-jour-en-equilibre-avec-besa/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Besa : la star albanaise arrive en France avec le clip "En Equilibre" ! - ActuMédias.fr {{!}} Webzine 100% culturel & musique événement sportif ! |url=http://actumedias.fr/besa-la-star-albanaise-arrive-en-france-avec-le-clip-en-equilibre/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=actumedias.fr |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163607/http://actumedias.fr/besa-la-star-albanaise-arrive-en-france-avec-le-clip-en-equilibre/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-13 |title="En Equilibre" le titre de la star albanaise BESA |url=https://mesrendezvous.org/2022/06/13/en-equilibre-le-titre-de-la-star-albanaise-besa/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Mes rendez-vous |language=fr-FR |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171251/https://mesrendezvous.org/2022/06/13/en-equilibre-le-titre-de-la-star-albanaise-besa/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title=Besa, la star albanaise débarque en France avec "En Equilibre" - Kodd Magazine |url=https://kodd-magazine.com/besa-star-albanaise-france-en-equilibre/107754/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=kodd-magazine.com |language=fr-FR |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920164653/https://kodd-magazine.com/besa-star-albanaise-france-en-equilibre/107754/ |url-status=live }} "En Equilibre" is the first of her upcoming debut album produced within the French music industry.{{Cite web |last=KHENG |first=Vincent |date=2022-06-10 |title="En équilibre", le nouveau single de Besa |url=https://just-music.fr/equilibre-nouveau-single-de-besa/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Just Music |language=fr-FR |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170607/https://just-music.fr/equilibre-nouveau-single-de-besa/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, she was selected to compete in the Festivali i Këngës 62 with the song "Zemrën n'dorë",{{Cite web |last=Juhász |first=Ervin |date=2023-10-17 |title=Meet all the participants of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës! |url=https://escbubble.com/2023/10/meet-all-the-participants-of-the-62nd-festivali-i-kenges/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=ESCBubble |language=en-GB |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018165221/https://escbubble.com/2023/10/meet-all-the-participants-of-the-62nd-festivali-i-kenges/ |url-status=live }} where she won the public vote and was selected to represent {{esccnty|Albania|y=2024}} in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.{{Cite web |date=23 December 2023 |title=Albania: Besa wins ticket to Eurovision 2024 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-besa-kokedhima-wins-ticket-eurovision-2024 |access-date=23 December 2023 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223000047/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-besa-kokedhima-wins-ticket-eurovision-2024 |url-status=live }} At the contest, the song was performed in an English version, titled "Titan".{{cite web |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/03/05/besa-announces-titan-release-on-march-11/ |title=Albania: Besa Announces 'Titan' Release on March 11 |first=Anthony |last=Granger |date=5 March 2024 |access-date=5 March 2024 |work=Eurovoix |archive-date=9 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309161611/https://eurovoix.com/2024/03/05/besa-announces-titan-release-on-march-11/ |url-status=live }} Besa failed to qualify from the second semi-final, placing 15th out of 16 with 14 points.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final 2 Results and Qualifiers |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/05/09/live-discussion-semi-final-2-of-eurovision-2024/281585/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=wiwibloggs |language=en-US |archive-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709153339/https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/05/09/live-discussion-semi-final-2-of-eurovision-2024/281585/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Sturtridge |first=Isaac |title=REVEALED: The Eurovision 2024 semi-final and final jury/televote detailed voting results |url=https://escxtra.com/2024/05/12/revealed-the-eurovision-2024-semi-final-and-final-jury-televote-detailed-voting-results/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |work=ESCXTRA |language=en-GB |archive-date=15 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515044029/https://escxtra.com/2024/05/12/revealed-the-eurovision-2024-semi-final-and-final-jury-televote-detailed-voting-results/ |url-status=live }} In 2025, she competed to represent San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song "Tiki" but placed 6th in the Sammarinese national selection.
Discography
= Albums =
- Besa (2006)
- Evolution (2011)
- Besa për festat (2013)
- Ti je festa ime (2014)
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album or EP |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" | ALB Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
|
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Më beso|i=no}}" {{Small|(with Produkt 28)}} | 2003 | rowspan="24" {{n/a}} | rowspan="3" | Besa |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Zonja dhe Zotërinj|i=no}}"
| 2005 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Lëshoje hapin|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2006 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Tani të dua|i=no}}"
| rowspan="45" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Unik|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2007 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Pa yllin tënd|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Engjëjt vrasin njëlloj|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2008 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Ajër|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "Nothin' Gonna Change"
| 2009 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Kalorës i natës|i=no}}"
| rowspan="3" | 2010 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Nuk jam ajo|i=no}}" {{Small|(featuring Jehona Sopi)}} |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|E bukura dhe bisha|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Botën do ndryshoja|i=no}}"
| 2011 |
| scope="row" | "Always On My Mind"
| rowspan="2" | 2012 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Fishekzjarre|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Folie|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2013 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Tatuazh në zemër|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Zemrën dot nuk ta lexoj|i=no}}" {{Small|(featuring 2po2)}} | rowspan="4" | 2014 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Mbretëreshë|i=no}}" |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Zejemër|i=no}}" {{Small|(featuring Majk)}} |
| scope="row" | "Arabia (Faj)" {{Small|(featuring Gmd Babydave)}} |
| scope="row" | "Amelia" {{Small|(featuring Mattyas)}} | rowspan="3" | 2015 |
| scope="row" | "14" |
| scope="row" | "All In" |
| scope="row" | "Kameleon" {{Small|(featuring Ansi)}} | rowspan="3" | 2016 | — |
| scope="row" | "123" {{Small|(featuring Flori Mumajesi)}} | 8 |
| scope="row" | "Hangover"
| — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Kokëfortë|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2017 | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Mos m'le me ra|i=no}}" {{Small|(featuring Elinel)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "Amor"
| 2018 | — |
| scope="row" | "La La La"
| rowspan="2" | 2019 | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Histori|i=no}}"
| — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|fr|C'est la vie|i=no}}" {{Small|(featuring BledBeats)}} | rowspan="2" | 2020 | 1 |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Don|i=no}}" {{Small|(featuring Illeoon)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "Margjelo" {{Small|(with Garrido)}} | 2021 | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|fr|En equilibre|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2022 | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Si kalama|i=no}}" {{Small|(with Lyrical Son)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Zemrën n'dorë|i=no}}"
| rowspan="2" | 2023 | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Engjëjt vrasin njëlloj|i=no}}" {{Small|(with Marin Hoxha)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "Inshallah" {{Small|(with Impar)}} | rowspan="4" | 2024 | — |
| scope="row" | "Plastic Heart" {{Small|(with Marin Hoxha)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "Titan"
| — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Aman|i=no}}" {{Small|(with Marin Hoxha)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "Tiki"
| rowspan="5" | 2025 | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Pergjithmone|i=no}}" {{Small|(with Buci)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "Maria" {{Small|(with Marin Hoxha)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Nihna|i=no}}" {{Small|(with Tiri Gjoci)}} | — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|sq|Rrena|i=no}}" {{Small|(with Anxhela Peristeri and Marin)}} | — |
| colspan="4" style="font-size:85%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{Succession box
| title=Kënga Magjike
{{Small|Winner}}
| before=Alban Skenderaj
with "Rrefuzoj"
| years=2013
| after=Aurela Gaçe and Young Zerka
with "Pa kontroll"}}
{{succession box
| title = Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years = 2024
| before = Albina and Familja Kelmendi
with "Duje"
| after = Shkodra Elektronike
with "Zjerm"
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Albanian music|state=collapsed}}
{{Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=autocollapse}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2024|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Besa}}
Category:21st-century Albanian women singers