Music of Kosovo

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Music of Kosovo

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Music of Kosovo is music that originates from Kosovo, a country in the Balkans. Kosovo's population is mainly Kosovo Albanians, also known as Kosovars, and there are various minority ethnic groups as well. Kosovan music is closely related to that of neighbouring Albania, as well as to that of countries in the former Yugoslavia.

Throughout its history, Kosovan music has played an important cultural role and also a significant part of the Kosovan national identity, drawing its artistic basis from the ancient and traditional folk music (with distinctive instrumentation of Albania), rhapsody, and classical music. In recent times, Kosovo has seen the rise of popular music.

Popular music dominates the Kosovan music market, although classical music and folk music remain vibrant. Kosovan musicians have reconstructed traditions that were suppressed while the country was under Yugoslav rule.

Mainstream music in Kosovo is based on Western trends, and popular genres include pop, rock, hip hop,[1] electronic, and jazz.

## Folk music

[edit]

In the past, epic poetry in Kosovo and northern Albania was sung on a lahuta (a one-string fiddle) and then a more tuneful çiftelia was used which has two strings-one for the melody and one for drone.[2] Cultural anthropology researches revealed the antiquity of this tradition and how was it developed in parallel with other traditional music in the Balkans, while various archaeologists discovered finds dating back to the 5th Century B.C. such as stone paintings depicting musicians with instruments, notably the portrait of "Pani" holding an aerophone similar to flute.[3]

## Traditional music

[edit]

See also: Traditional music in Kosovo

### Kosovo Albanian music

[edit]

See also: Albanian music

It is characterized by use of çiftelia (an authentic Albanian instrument), mandolin, mandola and percussion. The most notable Albanian rock bands are: Gjurmët, Asgjë Sikur Dielli - Jazz Drummer, Ilir Bajri is a notable jazz and electronic musician.

Ledri Vula, Rita Ora, Era Istrefi, Dua Lipa, Regard, Dhurata Dora, Nora Istrefi, Majk (rapper), Genta Ismajli, Rona Nishliu, Vedat Ademi and Adelina Ismajli are some of the most popular commercial singers in Kosovo today.

Tallava is a minority music genre from Kosovo, also popular in Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia, in the Albanian-speaking communities.[4][5][6] Having originated in the Roma community in Kosovo in the 1990s, it is oriental-sounding, and perceived of as low-status.[7] Nevertheless, it is becoming increasingly popular in Albania and North Macedonia.[8] It is identified as part of the wider Pop-folk genre of the Southeastern Europe, which includes Chalga from Bulgaria, Skiladiko from Greece, Manele from Romania and Turbo-folk from Serbia.[9]

### Kosovo Serb music

[edit]

Serbian music in Kosovo today represents a minority group and is a mixture of traditional music (which is part of the wider Balkan tradition) with its own distinctive sound and various Turkish influences.[10] Some of Serbian traditional dance kolo originated from Kosovo. Serb songs from Kosovo were an inspiration for 12th song wreath (sr. Руковет) by composer Stevan Mokranjac, who is often called “father of Serbian music”. Most of Serbian music from Kosovo was dominated by church music, with its own share of sung epic poetry.[10] Oral epic poetry and folk songs cultivated the Kosovo Myth.[11] Many epic poems are about events related to the Battle of Kosovo, which is important to Serbian history, tradition and national identity. Serbian national instrument Gusle was also used by their minority in Kosovo.[12]

Jordan Nikolić, Viktorija, Sejo Kalač, Đani, Jana, Tina Ivanović, Slađa Delibašić, Rasta, Nevena Božović are some of the most popular Kosovo Serb commercial singers.

## Rock music

[edit]

While rock music in Kosovo has always been Western oriented, Yugoslavian influence became also evident to a minor extent but it was short-lived.[13] One of the first popular Albanian rock bands was called Blue Star which formed in 1964 in Pristina and later it was renamed to Modestët.[14] In the beginning of the 1970s, the rock music scene in Mitrovica, Kosovo (then Yugoslavia) comprised both Albanian and Serbian bands, though each had their own separate audience and performed in their own languages. However, there was a band called MAK[15] which had both Albanian and Serbian musicians, and another bi-ethnic band was FAN also based in Mitrovica, but their collaboration was short-lived as well.

Pristina was the most important city for Albanian rock music during the 1980s. In the mainstream circles Gjurmët (founded 1981) were among favorites. Their combination of rock with "muzikë qytetare" laid the foundation of Albanian rock. Other known bands that formed during this period were Ilirët, 403, Telex, Seleksioni 039, Minatori and Menkis. On the other hand, underground music was more leaning towards punk. The most notable underground rock/punk band of Pristina in the 1980s was Lindja with its lead musician Luan Osmani (lead guitar). The beginning of the 1990s introduced other rock bands and individuals that played mainly in Kosovo like Troja, Jericho, Dardan Shkreli, Blla blla blla and Elita 5 (from North Macedonia). During the parallel governance (1989–1999) and after the 1999 war in Kosovo, several new Kosovo-Albanian bands emerged, among which the most famous are KEK (Kreativ e jo Komercial – English: creative and not commercial), Troja, 7me7, The Hithat, Cute Babulja, Por-no, Gre3n, Retrovizorja. After the war in 1999, metal bands like: Land of Confusion, Frisson, Krieg, Shlem, Diadema, Sotap, emerged to the surface.

After 2004 many alternative rock band appeared forming a new wave. Many bands formed, dissolved than re-formed. Bands like Votra, Gillespie, The Bloody Foreigners, and Gre3n (ceased existing in 2008). Also the Glasses, the Dizzies (with some band members of Gillespie) The Freelancers most of them debuting in 2009.

## Music abroad

[edit]

### Musicians

[edit]

The contemporary pop stars Dua Lipa and Rita Ora[16] are ethnic Albanians from Pristina and have achieved an international recognition for their music. Also Era Istrefi had an international breakthrough with her song "BonBon", which charted globally, and was featured on 2018 FIFA World Cup anthem "Live It Up". Another widely recognized musicians are de:Ardita Statovci and Petrit Çeku, both winners of prestigious music awards.[17] Gjon's Tears a Swiss singer and songwriter of Kosovar-Albanian descent, who auditioned for the eighth season of the French singing competition The Voice: la plus belle voix and reached the semi-finals, as well as who will represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[18][19]

### Eurovision

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

SAP Kosovo was represented by RTV Priština at the Jugovizija, the national pre-selection of Yugoslavia, but their entry has never won. Jugovizija 1986 was organised by RTV Priština. Before 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence, Viktorija a singer from Vučitrn represented Yugoslavia as part of Aska in 1982 and Nevena Božović from Mitrovica represented Serbia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007.

Kosovo's national public service broadcaster, Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), has attempted to attain European Broadcasting Union (EBU) membership. The broadcaster had applied to enter Kosovo for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009[20][21][22] and Kosovo would have made its Eurovision Song Contest debut in 2011 if it joined the EBU. However, RTK is ineligible to become a full EBU member as it is not part of the International Telecommunication Union due to Kosovo not being a United Nations members state.

From 2013 on, RTK has observer status within the EBU and did participate in the Eurovision Young Dancers 2011.[23] According to the Kosovar newspaper Koha Ditore, a future entry would be selected via a national final called Akordet e Kosovës, a former pop show that had been taken off the air some years ago.

Kosovo Albanian artists have competed at the Festivali i Këngës since the 80s and have represented Albania in several occasions. The Kosovar singer, Rona Nishliu, represented Albania with "Suus" and placed 5th in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, whereas Lindita Halimi represented Albania in 2017 with "World". Additionally, Elhaida Dani's song I'm Alive which represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, was written and produced by Zzap & Chriss, both Kosovo Albanian record producers and songwriters.

Some singers, especially Kosovo Serbs, participate in Serbian national selection organised by RTS. Nevena Božović also represented Serbia as a member of Moje 3 in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 and as a solo artist in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.

## See also

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Music of Kosovo.

* Classical music in Kosovo
* Music of Albania
* Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
* Radio in Kosovo

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Example of mixed Rap with Shota music Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ Knaus, Warrander, Verena, Gail (2010). Kosovo. Kosovo: Brad Travel Guides. p. 41.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. ^ Kruta, Beniamin (1990). Vendi i polifonise shqiptare ne polifonike ballkanike. Kultura Popullore. pp. 13–14.
4. ^ Samson, Jim (2013). Music in the Balkans. BRILL. ISBN 978-9004250383.
5. ^ "Refleksion sociologjik mbi kiçin e muzikës tallava". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
6. ^ Gail Warrander and Verena Knaus (2010). Kosovo. BRADT. ISBN 9781841623313.
7. ^ Samson 2013, p. 78.
8. ^ Samson 2013, p. 79.
9. ^ Natalie Bayer (2009). Crossing Munich. Silke Schreiber. ISBN 978-3-88960-108-7. "Formen wie: tallava in Albanien, chalga in Bulgarien, skiládiko in ... in Rumänien, turbo folk in Serbien usw"
10. ^ a b Warrander, Gail (2011). Kosovo. Bradt Guides. p. 41\. ISBN 9781841623313.
11. ^ Schnabel, Albrecht; Thakur, Ramesh Chandra (1 January 2000). Kosovo and the Challenge of Humanitarian Intervention: Selective Indignation, Collective Action, and International Citizenship. United Nations University Press. p. 23\. ISBN 978-92-808-1050-9.[permanent dead link]
12. ^ Biddle, Ian (2013). Music National Identity and the Politics of Location: Between the Global and the Local. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 9781409493778.
13. ^ Sabrina P. Ramet, Gordana Crnković: Kazaaam! splat! ploof!: the American impact on European popular culture, page 176 "...rock music spread in every corner of Yugoslavia—even to economically and socially underdeveloped Kosovo..."
14. ^ "Agim Bass Berisha". Archived from the original on January 14, 2007. Retrieved 2017-09-14.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link), "...It was this year, 1964, when Agim and Afrim decided to form their band, which was named “Blue Stars”..."
15. ^ "Agim Bass Berisha". Archived from the original on January 14, 2007. Retrieved 2017-09-14.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link), "...1970-1979: these were the years when rock in Kosovo really bloomed. Many new bands were formed those years, and the leading band was “MAK” from the city of Mitrovica..."
16. ^ "Rita Ora". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 February 2012.
17. ^ "Catalogue of the 3rd edition of Dam Festival". `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
18. ^ "Switzerland picks Gjon's Tears with French 'Repondez-moi' for Rotterdam". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
19. ^ Farren, Neil (4 March 2020). "Switzerland: Gjon's Tears to Eurovision 2020". Eurovoix.
20. ^ "Kosovo: RTK wants to enter Eurovision in 2009". Oikotimes.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
21. ^ "NDR on the Kosovo potential participation in Eurovision" Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine oikotimes.com 22 May 2008 - Link accessed 27/05/08
22. ^ "RTK wants to enter Eurovision as soon as possible" Archived 2008-05-28 at the Wayback Machine eurovision.serious-news.com 19 April 2008 - Link accessed 27/05/08
23. ^ Albavision (2011-04-07). "Kosovo new steps in ebu agreement". albavision.tk. Retrieved 25 July 2011.

‹ The template below (Kosovo topics) is being considered for merging with Culture of Kosovo. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›

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Kosovo articles

History|

| Early history|

* Archaeology
* Neolithic sites
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* Dardani
* Kingdom of Dardania
* Roman period
* Dardania
* Praevalitana
* Late Antiquity and Medieval sites
* Medieval period
* Kingdom of Serbia, Serbian Empire, Serbian Despotate
* Battle of Kosovo
* Balšić noble family
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* Dukagjini family
* Ottoman period
* Rumelia Eyalet (Sanjak of Prizren, Sanjak of Dukagjin, Sanjak of Viçitrina),
* Vilayet of Kosovo

|

Modern history|

* First Balkan War
* Kingdom of Serbia
* Kingdom of Yugoslavia
* Albanian Kingdom (1939–43
* 1943–44)
* Socialist Autonomous Province (1946-90)
* Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija (1990–present)
* Republic of Kosova (1990–99)
* Insurgency in Kosovo (1995–98)
* Kosovo War (1998–99)
* UN administration (UNMIK) (1999–2008)
* Kosovo (2008–present)

Geography|

| Environment|

* Biodiversity
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|

Landscapes|

* Lakes
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Regions of Kosovo|

* Gegëri
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Politics|

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Status|

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Music of Europe

Sovereign states|

* Albania
* Andorra
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States with limited
recognition|

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Dependencies and
other entities|

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Music of Southeastern Europe (the Balkans)

By style|

| Folk music|

* Arabesque
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* Folk
* Albanian
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* Bulgarian
* Croatian
* Greek
* Macedonian
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* Nisiotika
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* Sevdalinka
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|

Other|

* Balkan brass
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By country
and ethnicity|

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Folk dances|

| Circle dances|

* Daychovo horo
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* Halay
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* Pidikhtos
* Khigga
* Kochari
* Kolo
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* Syrtos
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|

Other|

* Antikristos
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* Čoček
* Karsilamas
* Oro (eagle dance)
* Zeibekiko
* Zeybek

By country|

* Albania
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
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* Romania
* Serbia
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Notable musicians|

* Aca Lukas
* Aco Pejović
* Adrian Sînă
* Aki Rahimovski
* Al' Dino
* Alban Skënderaj
* Alen Islamović
* Aleksandra Prijović
* Alexandra Stan
* Alka Vuica
* Ana Bekuta
* Ana Kokić
* Ana Nikolić
* Andreea Bănică
* Andrea
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* Arsen Dedić
* Aurela Gaçe
* Avni Mula
* Azis
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* Bora Đorđević
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* Boris Novković
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* Capital T
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* Dragana Mirković
* Dua Lipa
* Duško Kuliš
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* Džej Ramadanovski
* Edo Maajka
* Eleftheria Eleftheriou
* Elena Risteska
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* Elvana Gjata
* Elvir Laković Laka
* Emanuela
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* Era Istrefi
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* Fiki
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* Frenkie
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* Gashi
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* Gibonni
* Gloria
* Goca Tržan
* Goran Bregović
* Gru
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* Hurricane
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* Kir Joakim
* Knez
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* Koke
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* Lefteris Pantazis
* Lepa Brena
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* Louis
* Luke Black
* Magnifico
* Maksim Mrvica
* Malina
* Maria Elena Kyriakou
* Marija Šerifović
* Marinella
* Marko Kon
* Marta Savić
* Massimo Savić
* Maja Šuput
* Maya Berović
* Maya Sar
* Merima Njegomir
* Miladin Šobić
* Milan Stanković
* Mile Kitić
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* Oliver Dragojević
* Osman Hadžić
* Paola
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* Predrag Gojković-Cune
* Predrag Živković Tozovac
* Preslava
* Rambo Amadeus
* Rasta
* Rayna
* Rita Ora
* Safet Isović
* Sakis Rouvas
* Sanja Vučić
* Sara Jo
* Saša Kovačević
* Saša Lošić
* Saša Matić
* Sead Lipovača
* Sejo Sexon
* Seka Aleksić
* Selma Bajrami
* Serdar Ortaç
* Sergej Ćetković
* Sertab Erener
* Severina
* Silvana Armenulić
* Sinan Sakić
* Slađana Milošević
* Snežana Đurišić
* Sofi Marinova
* Stoja
* Stojan Stojkov
* Tamara Todevska
* Tanja Ribič
* Tanja Savić
* Tereza Kesovija
* Tijana Dapčević
* Tifa
* Toma Zdravković
* Tony Cetinski
* Tonči Huljić
* Toše Proeski
* Vasilis Karras
* Vesna Pisarović
* Vesna Zmijanac
* Viki
* Vlado Georgiev
* Yiannis Parios
* Zaim Imamović
* Zdravko Čolić
* Zoran Lesendrić
* Zorica Brunclik
* Ljuba Aličić
* Šaban Šaulić
* Şebnem Paker
* Šemsa Suljaković
* Šerif Konjević
* Željko Bebek
* Željko Joksimović
* Željko Samardžić
* Željko Šašić

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