Eugent Bushpepa
{{Short description|Albanian singer (born 1984)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Eugent Bushpepa
| image = Eugent Bushpepa 2020 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Bushpepa in 2020
| birth_name =
| alias = Gent Bushpepa
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|07|02|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Rrëshen, Albania
| death_date =
| death_place =
| origin =
| genre = Hard rock, industrial metal, alternative metal, pop rock
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|composer}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| years_active = 1998–present
| label = Independent
| associated_acts =
| website =
}}
Eugent Bushpepa ({{IPA|sq|ɛuˈɡɛnt buʃˈpɛpa}}; born 2 July 1984), also known by his alternative name Gent Bushpepa, is an Albanian singer, songwriter and composer.{{Cite web |title=Eugent Bushpepa |url=https://www.teksteshqip.com/gent-bushpepa/biografia |website=teksteshqip.com |language=sq |access-date=26 March 2018 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203092304/https://teksteshqip.com/gent-bushpepa/biografia |url-status=live }} Regarded as one of the most popular modern rock musicians in the Albanian-speaking world, he is noted for his vocal range, vocal power, high-energy live performances, and is also recognised as an accomplished guitarist.
Bushpepa and his band were the supporting acts on the concert tours of Deep Purple in 2007, Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses) in 2011 and Overkill in 2014. On 18 August 2013, he performed a full concert with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal.{{Cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=U.S. Embassy in Tirana: Report on Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Eugent Bushpepa's Concert in Albania |url=https://web.facebook.com/usembassytirana/photos/a.446371155837.238250.74591195837/10151599318425838/?_rdc=1&_rdr |website=U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania |access-date=7 May 2018 |archive-date=29 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729180018/https://www.facebook.com/usembassytirana/photos/a.446371155837.238250.74591195837/10151599318425838/?_rdc=2&_rdr |url-status=live }} Bushpepa is the sole author of his song which was reworked for the Eurovision by Jim Lowe, a Grammy Award-winning British record producer and audio engineer.
In 2017, Bushpepa won the 56th edition of Festivali i Këngës with the song "Mall" and went on to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon.{{Citation |title=Eugent Bushpepa – Mall – Albania – LIVE – Grand Final – Eurovision 2018 | date=12 May 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyl1b1fVmdU |access-date=25 April 2021 |language=en}} He reached eleventh place in the grand final in a field of twenty-six and achieved the country's fourth highest placement to date.{{Cite web |title=Lisbon 2018: Grand Final |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/lisbon-2018/grand-final |access-date=31 December 2019 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508165804/https://eurovision.tv/event/lisbon-2018/grand-final |url-status=live }}
Life and career
Eugent Bushpepa was born on 2 July 1984 into an Albanian family of the Roman Catholic faith in the town of Rrëshen, then part of the People's Republic of Albania, present Albania.{{Cite web |title=Lisbon 2018: Participants |url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/eugent-bushpepa |access-date=31 December 2019 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802233130/https://eurovision.tv/participant/eugent-bushpepa |url-status=live }} He started singing at the age of six while his guitar training began in the fifth grade of primary school. After finishing high school, he moved to Bologna, Italy, to study medicine where he completed his first academic year.
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=200| align = left
| image1 = Deep Purple Brazil march 2009.jpg
| image2 = 14-06-08 RiP Walking Papers Duff McKagan 1.JPG
| image3 = Overkill - Jalometalli 2008 - 02.JPG
| image4 = Ron Thal 2013.jpg
| footer = Clockwise from upper left: Bushpepa has opened for Deep Purple in 2007, Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses) in 2011, Overkill in 2014, and has performed with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal in 2013.
}}
Bushpepa's professional career began in 2006 and since then he has been active in the Albanian music scene. His national breakthrough came with the song "Maska e Madhështisë", released in 2007 at Top Fest 4. In the same competition, he also teamed up with a rock band called Sunrise, performing their song Engjëll, and then he went on to play in major music festivals and worked on new music. Although Eugent made his professional stage debut in Kënga Magjike at the age of fourteen, his music career was jump-started upon his return to Albania in 2006 where he was set to pursue a medical degree in dentistry and started to perform live shows in various night clubs and pubs alongside studies. Writing and performing his own material, Bushpepa had also made various live covers and appeared in over 2000 live shows since his beginnings.{{Cite web |title=Exclusive Interview with Eugent Bushpepa on TCH |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOLvMPfsPX0 |access-date=16 February 2017 |website=YouTube | date=16 February 2017 |language=sq}}
He was asked to become the supporting act for Duff McKagan for a concert in Tirana{{Cite web |date=27 May 2011 |title=Guns 'N Roses bassist to give concert in Tirana |url=http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=111913 |website=Tirana Times |access-date=7 May 2018 |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213230338/https://www.tiranatimes.com/?page_id=396&_s2member_vars=post..level..4..post..111913..Lz9wPTExMTkxMw%3D%3D&_s2member_sig=1702508618-b01e4d784fb0a8bfb8d99d4134e1f372 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=7 June 2011 |title=Eugent Bushpepa & Duff McKagan – 2011 |url=https://web.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154974104536470.1073741843.47675291469&type=3 |website=Eugent Bushpepa Official |access-date=7 April 2018 |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213230335/https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154974104536470.1073741843.47675291469&type=3&_rdc=1&_rdr |url-status=live }} on their Loaded band tour on 1 June 2011. During a traditional beer festival in Korçë on 18 August 2013, Bushpepa performed with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, the guitarist of Guns N' Roses.{{Cite web |title=The HDI: Bumblefoot in Albania |url=http://thehdi.org/cultural_diplomacy/bumblefoot_albania_august_2013.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429025703/http://thehdi.org/cultural_diplomacy/bumblefoot_albania_august_2013.html |archive-date=29 April 2016 |access-date=5 March 2014}}{{Cite web |title=Eugent Bushpepa Performing with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N' Roses) |url=https://web.facebook.com/bushpepagent/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10151533305986470 |website=Eugent Bushpepa Official |access-date=7 April 2018 |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213230333/https://www.facebook.com/bushpepagent/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10151533305986470&_rdc=1&_rdr |url-status=live }} In 2014, he joined the band Darkology as their tour vocalist.,{{Cite web |url=http://www.grande-rock.com/news/darkology-announces-new-line-tour-2014 |title=GrandeRock.com Darkology announces new line-up for tour 2014 |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-date=26 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226020832/http://www.grande-rock.com/news/darkology-announces-new-line-tour-2014 |url-status=live }} replacing Kelly Sundown Carpenter in their Killfest tour with Overkill, Prong, and Enforcer who performed in various cities in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands.{{Cite web |date=23 October 2014 |title=Darkology Leak Songs from Upcoming Album – Lineaup Changes for Overkill Tour Announced |url=http://bravewords.com/news/darkology-leak-songs-from-upcoming-album-lineup-changes-for-overkill-tour-announced |website=BraveWords.com |access-date=6 June 2018 |archive-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122438/http://bravewords.com/news/darkology-leak-songs-from-upcoming-album-lineup-changes-for-overkill-tour-announced |url-status=live }}
In early to mid 2017, Bushpepa had signed on as an adviser in The Voice of Albania, assisting Besa's team, whereas on 24 December 2017, he won the 56th edition of Festivali i Këngës, the longest-running annual televised music competition in Albania since 1962, and thus represented Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal with his song "Mall".{{Cite web |date=23 December 2017 |title=Eugent Bushpepa to represent Albania at Eurovision 2018 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eugent-bushpepa-to-represent-albania-in-eurovision-2018 |website=eurovision.tv |access-date=24 December 2017 |archive-date=24 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224120322/https://eurovision.tv/story/eugent-bushpepa-to-represent-albania-in-eurovision-2018 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=29 December 2018 |title=Eugent Bushpepa representará a Albania en el Festival de Eurovisión 2018 con "Mall" |url=https://www.msn.com/es-mx/dinero/other/eugent-bushpepa-representa-a-albania-en-eurovisi%C3%B3n-2018-con-mall/vp-BBHeCfP |website=MSN.com |access-date=7 May 2018 |archive-date=7 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507153721/https://www.msn.com/es-mx/dinero/other/eugent-bushpepa-representa-a-albania-en-eurovisi%C3%B3n-2018-con-mall/vp-BBHeCfP |url-status=live }}
In December 2017, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) announced him as the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal, after he won the 56th edition of Festivali i Këngës with his song "Mall".{{Cite web |date=24 December 2017 |title=Eugent Bushpepa me "Mall" shpallet fitues i Fest '56 |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/eugent-bushpepa-me-mall-shpallet-fitues-i-fest-56/ |access-date=30 December 2019 |website=rtsh.al |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar |language=sq |archive-date=5 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205021423/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/eugent-bushpepa-me-mall-shpallet-fitues-i-fest-56/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |date=24 December 2017 |title=Eugent Bushpepa to represent Albania at Eurovision 2018! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eugent-bushpepa-to-represent-albania-in-eurovision-2018 |access-date=31 December 2019 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |language=en |archive-date=24 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224120322/https://eurovision.tv/story/eugent-bushpepa-to-represent-albania-in-eurovision-2018 |url-status=live }}
The Eurovision version was reworked by Bushpepa and Jim Lowe, a Grammy Award-winning audio engineer, and was released through Universal Music on 16 April.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William |date=16 March 2018 |title=Albania: Eugent Bushpepa releases Eurovision version of "Mall" |url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2018/03/16/albania-eugent-bushpepa-releases-eurovision-version-of-mall/ |website=Wiwibloggs.com |access-date=6 June 2018 |archive-date=29 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729180021/https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/03/16/albania-eugent-bushpepa-releases-eurovision-version-of-mall/ |url-status=live }} Bushpepa's promotional tour in London and Tel Aviv were postponed due to visa delays,{{Cite web |last=Royston |first=Benny |date=8 April 2018 |title=Eugent Bushpepa Cancels Promotional Tour |url=https://eurovoix.com/2018/04/08/albania-eugent-bushpepa-cancels-promotional-tour/last=Granger |website=Eurovoix.com}} but he resumed the tour in Amsterdam and Madrid that advanced with great success.{{Cite web |last=Royston |first=Benny |date=15 April 2018 |title=Finland, Israel, Australia, Spain, Albania and UK all impress at Eurovision In Concert |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/15/finland-israel-australia-spain-albania-and-uk-all-impress-at-eurovision-in-concert-7468218/ |website=Metro.co.uk |access-date=6 June 2018 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613005906/https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/15/finland-israel-australia-spain-albania-and-uk-all-impress-at-eurovision-in-concert-7468218/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Richard |date=14 April 2018 |title=Eugent Bushpepa Back On Promotional Tour |url=https://eurovisionireland.net/2018/04/14/albania-eugent-bushpepa-back-on-promotional-tour/ |website=EurovisionIreland.net |access-date=6 June 2018 |archive-date=29 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729181218/https://eurovisionireland.net/2018/04/14/albania-eugent-bushpepa-back-on-promotional-tour/ |url-status=live }} Albania was drawn to compete third at the first-semi final in which Bushpepa performed "Mall" third in a field of nineteen participants and qualified for the Grand Final being among the top ten most-voted acts.{{Cite web |date=8 May 2018 |title=First Semi-Final: 10 Acts Qualify For Eurovision 2018 Grand Final |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ten-qualifiers-first-semi-final-eurovision-2018 |website=The Official Website of the Eurovision Song Contest – Eurovision.tv |access-date=6 June 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018013505/https://eurovision.tv/story/ten-qualifiers-first-semi-final-eurovision-2018 |url-status=live }} In the final, the song was performed twelfth in a field of twenty-six and ranked seventh with the juries and eleventh with a combined televote score.
In 2023, Bushpepa started a podcast called "Garage Lock", a collaboration with fellow rock vocalist Renis Gjoka.{{Cite web |title=Garage Lock Music - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@GarageLockMusic |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=www.youtube.com |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126023458/https://www.youtube.com/@GarageLockMusic |url-status=live }}
Discography
Bushpepa has released no album to date; though he deems himself as a "non-commercial artist" and stated that he is working on his debut album following requests from his fans.
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;" | Album |
|---|
| 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" | "Maska e madhështisë"
| rowspan="2" | 2007 | rowspan="10" {{n/a}} | rowspan="5" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Engjëll" |
| scope="row" | "Ëndërr reale" {{Small|(featuring Gled Mikerezi)}} | rowspan="2" | 2008 |
| scope="row"| "S'jam Baladë" {{Small|(featuring Rovena Dilo)}} |
| scope="row" | "Stinë dreqi"
| 2009 |
| scope="row" | "Rebel pa hije"
| 2011 | rowspan="1" {{n/a|Break The Darkness}} |
| scope="row" | "Udhëtari"
| 2012 | rowspan="5" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Viktimë"
| 2013 |
| scope="row" | "Pranë finishit"
| 2015 |
| scope="row" | "Mall"
| 2018 |
| scope="row" | "Stay with Me Tonight"
| 2020 | 1 |
| scope="row" | "Cùll të Hutù"
| 2021 | rowspan="5" {{n/a}} | rowspan="4" {{n/a|Break The Darkness}} |
| scope="row" | "I imi Flokë Argjend"
| 2021 |
| scope="row" | "Ego" {{Small|(featuring Bojken Lako and Erdion Hoxha)}}
| 2021 |
| scope="row" | "Koha Ndryshk"
| 2021 |
| scope="row" | "[https://politiko.al/politikoff/rezisto-eugenti-dhe-renisi-publikojne-klipin-e-kenges-se-fushates-se--i481302 Rezisto]" {{Small|(featuring Renis Gjoka)}}
| 2023 | rowspan="1" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
| colspan="11" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards
{{awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|2008
|rowspan="1"|"Ëndërr reale"
|Best Male Singer
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|2009
|rowspan="1"|"Stinë dreqi"
|Vodafone Club Award
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|2011
|rowspan="1"|"Rebel pa hije"
|Best Male Singer
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|2015
|rowspan="1"|"Pranë finishit"
|Honorific Award
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|2017
|rowspan="1"| "Mall"
|Festivali i 56 i Këngës
|{{won}}
|-
|2018
|rowspan="1"| "Mall"
|Eurovision Song Contest
|11th Place
|}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
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{{succession box
| title=Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years=2018
| after=Jonida Maliqi
with "Ktheju tokës"}}
{{s-end}}
{{Albanian music}}
{{Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest |state=autocollapse}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2018 |state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bushpepa, Eugent}}
Category:21st-century Albanian male singers
Category:Albanian operatic tenors
Category:Albanian rock singers
Category:Albanian Roman Catholics