Anjeza Shahini

Anjeza Shahini (born 4 May 1987) is an Albanian singer. She is best known for representing Albania at the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul, after winning the 42nd edition of Festivali i Këngës.

Anjeza Shahini
Anjeza Shahinia in 2017
Background information
Born (1987-05-04) 4 May 1987
Tirana, Albania
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active2003–present
WebsiteOfficial Website

Career

2003–2009

Anjeza Shahini was born on 4 May 1987 in the city of Tirana, then part of the People's Republic of Albania, present Albania. In 2003, Shahini won the first edition of "Ethet e së premtes mbrëma".[1] In later 2003, along with 29 other singers, she competed in the Festivali I Këngës 42 with the song "Imazhi yt". After two preliminary rounds, Shahini reached the final on 20 December, at the end of which, hosts Adi Krasta and Ledina Çelo presented her as the winner of the combined jury and televote. That meant she would represent Albania in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul, Turkey, in Albania's debut year in the competition. For the ESC finals, a three-minute English version of the song entitled "The Image of You" was created. Anjeza sang in the semi-final of ESC on 12 May 2004, and finished fourth out of twenty-two. This top-ten finish, secured Anjeza a place in the final where on 15 May she competed with contestants from twenty-four other countries and finished seventh with a total of 106 points.

Anjeza Shahini in the Eurovision 2004 final

In 2004, Anjeza recorded a song ("Në mes nesh") with the Kosovo band Marigona. In 2005 she signed a contract with an artist management agency based in Vienna. During her two years in Vienna she continued private studies in music and released several singles with well known Austrian composer Harald Hanisch, including the song "Pse Ndal" (Why Stop) which was used at the Albanian National Song Festival (Festivali i Këngës), the Albanian selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest. Anjeza Shahini made it through the two semi-finals to the last twenty at the National Final and was one of the favourites to win. However, at the final, which aired on 18 December 2005, the winner was announced as the song "Zjarr e ftohtë", sung by Luiz Ejlli.

On 3 June 2006, Anjeza Shahini was a special guest performer at the Euro Video Grand Prix contest,[2] which was held in Albania. She opened the contest with the song "Welcome to Europe", which was also produced as a single by same studio production in Vienna.

After completing her studies in Austria in 2007, Anjeza returned to Albania and signed a contract with the Albanian record label "Eurostar".[3] She performed at Këngët e Shekullit 2, a successful series on TV Klan consisting of remakes of the best Albanian songs from the past century. She took part in Kënga Magjike 2007 with the song "Nxënësja më e mirë" ("The best student"), where the other singers' votes landed her in 4th place, but she did receive the critics' award.[4]

In August 2008, Anjeza Shahini released her first album, Erdhi momenti, containing only new songs, all in Albanian. Some of the songs were composed by Adrian Hila, but she also collaborated with other well known composers such as Pirro Cako and Genti Myftaraj and some of the lyrics were written by Anjeza's sister, Bela.[5] The songs "Erdhi Momenti" and "Lot Pendimi" were promoted with a music video produced by Max Production.

Shahini took part in Festivali i Këngës 48 with the ballad "Në pasqyrë" (In the mirror), placing second.

2010–present

In 2010, Shahini finished her contract with Eurostar and became an independent artist. In the same year she completed her studies in International Relations at the European University of Tirana. In 2011, she participated for the first time in Top Fest performing a duet with Kosovo band Dren Abazi & Zig Zag Orchestra. Their song "Ti dhe une" was awarded for "Best Interpretation". A music video was released after the festival in partnership with "PinkMoon" production. In 2012, she released the ballad "Te desha shume", composed by Endrit Shani and produced by Sebastian Video Production.

Anjeza Shahini took part in the Albanian Eurovision Song Contest Selection for 2013 with the song "LOVE", when she again finished in second place. In the same year, she collaborated with German artist Martin Kilger for the song "Kastanien Lied" where she appeared as a guest singer.

During 2014 she released three singles in collaboration with the songwriter Mario Deda. Together they produced "Ujë në shkretëtirë" a triphop ballad.[6] The video was released in partnership with ID Production. The video for the song "Magnet" (electronic pop-dance) was used for a company publicity promotion. The collaboration with Deda continued with "Energji" (Energy), an electronic pop-drum & bass, which was performed by Anjeza Shahini in the Festival Kenga Magjike and received the award "Tendence" (Best Trend Song).

Anjeza appeared on the BBC Eurovision 2017 semi-final show with Scott Mills and Lucie Jones and performed at the second annual Eurostarz event in London, together with other Eurovision former acts, including Anne Marie David, Kurt Kalleja, Mihal Traistariu Karl William Lund and Salena Mastroianni.

Discography

Albums
  • Erdhi Momenti (2008)

Singles
  • Nëse të ndodh (2003)
  • The Image of You (2004)
  • Mes nesh ft. Marigona Band (2004)
  • Pse ndal (2005)
  • Welcome to Europe (2006)
  • Nxënësja më e mirë (2007)
  • Ne pasqyrë (2009)
  • Ti dhe unë ft. Dren Abazi & ZZOrchestra (2011)
  • Të desha shume (2012)
  • Nesër nuk do të jetë njësoj (2012)
  • Love (2012)
  • Ujë në shkretëtirë (2014)[7]
  • Magnet (2014)
  • Energji (2014)

Guest appearance

  • Kastanien Lied (2013)

Soundtracks

  • Dashuria e Bjeshkëve te Nemuna 2 (2013 film)

Awards

Festivali i Këngës

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2003 "The Image of You" First Prize Won
2008 "Në pasqyrë" Contestant 2nd
2012 "Love" Contestant 2nd

Kënga Magjike

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 "Nxënësja më e mirë" Critic Prize Won
2014 "Energji" Trend Prize Won

Zhurma Show Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2009 "'Erdhi momenti'" Best Rock Nominated

Netët e Klipt Shqiptar

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Lotë pendimi" Best Performer Won

Top Fest

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 "Ti dhe unë (ft. Dren Abazi)" Best Performer Won

Video Fest Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 "Ti dhe unë (ft. Dren Abazi)" Best Collaboration Nominated

References
  1. Leduey, Guillaume. "About Anjeza Shahini". Anjeza Shahini's Myspace page. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  2. "Euro Video Grand Prix". imdb.com. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  3. Romkes, Rene (24 September 2007). "Albanian singer ready to start musical career. Anjeza Shahini wants to try again". esctoday.com. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  4. Pinderi, Kristi. "ANJEZA SHAHINI: Nxënësja më e mirë". Revista Mapo (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  5. Klier, Marcus (15 August 2008). "Albania: Anjeza Shahini releases debut album". esctoday.com. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  6. Besim, Ramadan (15 March 2014). "Anjeza Shahini releases Ujë në shkretëtirë". wiwibloggs.com. wiwibloggs.com.
  7. Besim, Ramadan (15 March 2014). "Anjeza Shahini releases Ujë në shkretëtirë". wiwibloggs.com. wiwibloggs.com.

Media related to Anjeza Shahini at Wikimedia Commons

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
none
(Debut entry)		 Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
2004		 Succeeded by
Ledina Çelo
with Tomorrow I Go
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