Elvana Gjata

[7][8][9][10] She rose to recognition in Albania and other Albanian-speaking territories in the Balkans following the release of her two studio albums, Mamës (2007) and Afër dhe larg (2011).

[15][23] At the age of 14, Gjata auditioned for the Albanian talent show Ethet e së premtes mbrëma and began dedicating herself to music.

[26] "Të kam xhan", her follow-up single, was released in 2004, with whom the singer competed in that year's edition of Kënga Magjike.

[15] Gjata has since then participated in two subsequent editions of the contest, including in 2007 and 2009 with the songs "Ku jeton dashuria" and "Dhe zemra ndal", respectively.

[27] In June 2011, Gjata won the 8th edition of Top Fest with the song "Me ty", which she dedicated to her friend Elsina Hidersha who died following a car accident that year.

[33] Considered one of the favourites to win, Gjata received high scores during the course of her tenure on the show and ultimately won the competition in the final.

[34] The follow-up single "Gjaku im" was released in April 2012 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania, which she also dedicated to the Albanian people.

[43][44] In March 2015, she collaborated with Albanian musician Flori Mumajesi on "Kuq e zi je ti", which was selected as the official supporters song for Albania's participation at the 2016 UEFA European Championship in France.

[49][50] Following several months spent in the United States, Gjata came into close liaison with American producer Poo Bear and French disc jockey David Guetta with whom she started to work with.

[56][57] Gjata's second extended play, 3, was released on her 31st birthday on 3 February 2018, and also included the two number one chart-topping songs, "Më fal" and "Xheloz".

[61][62][63] After Gjata's return to Albania in the same year, the follow-up releases, "Ku Vajti" and "Mike", both attained success in her native country as they reached number 2.

[72] In August 2019, Gjata premiered "A m'don", and went on to perform at the Sunny Hill Festival in Pristina, sharing the stage with other acclaimed artists, such as Miley Cyrus, Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa.

[3][5][96][97] She has cited Albanian musicians Vaçe Zela, Parashqevi Simaku, Aurela Gaçe and Nexhmije Pagarusha as well as Canadian singer Celine Dion as her musical influences and inspirations.