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Dafina Zeqiri

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This article is about the Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter. For the composer, see Dafina Zeqiri.
Dafina Zeqiri
Born (1989-04-14) 14 April 1989 (age 32)
Varberg, Sweden
Other namesDuffye
OccupationSinger, songwriter, composer
Years active2008–present
Notable work
Discography
Musical career
Genres
LabelsMoneyz
Signature
Dafina Zeqiri (nënshkrim).svg

Dafina Zeqiri (Albanian: [daˈfina ˈzɛˈciɾi]; born 14 April 1989), also known mononymously as Dafina, is a Kosovo-Albanian singer, songwriter and composer. Zeqiri is noted for her versatility in music and considered an influential figure in contemporary Albanian music.

Life and career

Dafina Zeqiri was born on 14 April 1989 into an Albanian family from Kosovo in the city of Varberg, Sweden.[1][2] Her siblings are Tringa Zeqiri and Besa Tafari née Zeqiri.[3][4][5] Dafina's father, Nebih Bajraktari, left her family at a very early age and was absent since then.[6][7] He later gave a public speech asking her to forgive him, although Dafina never made any replies.[8] Her mother is Melihate Zeqiri, a former singer in the 1980s.[9]

In 2007, Dafina performed in Polifest Festival and is nominated for her song, "Rrallë e Përmallë," and eventually won the competition. In 2008, Dafina received a BOOM Award Nomination for her song "Adios," and was awarded with the audience award. In the same year, she launched her first album titled "Knock Down". Shortly afterwards, in her continued participation in "Kënga Magjike," she received the "First Magic" award with her song, "Bateritë".

Zeqiri's success continued with two collaborations with known singers Blero & F-Kay with the song "La Vida Loca" and Capital T & 2po2, "Shumë Naltë". Both songs turned into hits of the summer. In May 2009, she won "Best RNB" in Top Fest 6 with the song "Dua që ta di," a song which was a great success. Then Duffy'e also made the a mix of the song with the acclaimed DJ-Zap. During 2009, two of her clips were very successful: "Shumë Larg" (directed by Stamps Pictures) and "Amazing Girl" (Directed by Entermedia).[10][11] In 2010, she traveled to Australia to shoot the music video for "Rock This Club." The video clip of the song "Amazing Girl" by Dafina was the main winner of this year's edition of Music Videofest, sweeping away the award for best videospot, 'Best of All'. She was nominated in eight categories and won four of them. In December 2011, Dafina Zeqiri released her newest album. In her album, the song D&G was included, a song she has made with Albanian rapper Getoar Selimi. She has already launched "Tonight," which is also included in the new album "Just Me". She launched 2 new music videos "Veç Ti" and "Bloodah" which were successful.

2015–present: King EP and Dafinë moj

The singer's first extended play King was released in November 2017, following several months spent in the United States.[12] It was aided by its lead single "Four Season" in March 2017, reaching number three in Albania.[13] The single's well-received music video featured a special guest appearance by Moroccan-American rapper French Montana.[14][15] Titled "Told Ya", the second single from the extended play, peaked at number one in October 2017.[16][17] The non-album release "Ti e din" followed in December 2017 and eventually reached number two in the same month.[18][19] In the span of 2018, the singer released four subsequent singles, "Fuego", "Kalon", "Kurgjo nuk kallxojna" and "Alo", with the latter two reaching the top 35 in Albania.[20][21]

In March 2020, Zeqiri was featured on Albanian producer Cricket's "Një herë në jetë", which peaked at number 5 in Albania and 132 on the Spotify charts in Switzerland.[22][23][24] In June 2020, she announced her upcoming second studio album, Dafinë moj.[25][26] Later in July 2020, she released Aman, the lead single from Dafinë moj, a collaboration with Albanian rappers Ledri Vula and Lumi B, which peaked at number 4 in Albania and 79 in Switzerland.[27][28][29] The second single, titled "Million $", was moderately successful and reached number 20 in Albania and 82 in Switzerland.[30][31][32] Two subsequent singles, "Zili Zili" and "Mos shko" featuring Albanian singer Yll Limani, were released from the album.[33][34] "Zili Zili" reached the top five, while "Mos shko" peaked at number 4 in Albania.[35][36] In September 2021, Zeqiri was nominated for the 2020 Swedish government's music export prize.[37]

Artistry

Zeqiri has cited American singer and songwriter Aaliyah as her major musical and style influence.[38][39] Other inspirations include Ciara, Destiny's Child, Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson, TLC and the Spice Girls.[40][41] Her musical style has generally been regarded as R&B and soul also having incorporated a variety of other genres into her music, including electropop, trap and Urban Albanian pop.[42][43][44][45]

Activism

Zeqiri is an outspoken advocate to help raise critical awareness for health and mental health issues beyond her community, including by sharing her experiences with depression.[46][47][48] She has also expressed her support for the LGBT community in the world and the Albanian-speaking Balkans.[49][50] In 2020, she extended her support to the Black Lives Matter movement, in connection with the wider George Floyd protests.[51]

Discography

Main article: Dafina Zeqiri discography
  • Knock Down (2008)
  • Just Me (2011)
  • King EP (2017)
  • Dafinë moj (2021)

References

  1. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri–Biografia" (in Albanian). TeksteShqip. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri #Bio" (in Albanian). Top Channel. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  3. ^ Hoxha, E. (31 July 2019). "'Babai im!' Dafina Zeqiri zbulon kush ia zëvendësoi të atin pas braktisjes" (in Albanian). Iconstyle. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Kjo është motra bukuroshe e Dafina Zeqirit" (in Albanian). Kosovarja. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Reagim i ashpër nga motra e Dafina Zeqirit, flet rrëndë për babain" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 12 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Flet motra e Dafina Zeqirit: Babai na braktisi, ai na donte të vdekura" (in Albanian). Panorama. 5 August 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Pse nuk takohet me të atin Dafina Zeqiri?" (in Albanian). Class Lifestyle. 7 March 2015. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Pas rrëfimit të babait, tani është rradha e motrës". Teksteshqip. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Nëna e Dafina Zeqirit dikur ishte këngëtare, ajo do të rikthehet me një këngë dedikuar vajzës në albumin e ri të Dafinës". Telegrafi. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Dafina nuk din të ndalet". Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  11. ^ "E lumtur pas suksesit të klipit të ri". Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  12. ^ Gonzales, Erica (8 November 2017). "Dafina's King EP Will Make You Feel Like One". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  13. ^ "The Top List – 19/03/2017" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 19 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri publikon klipin e 'Four Season'" (in Albanian). Koha. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  15. ^ Centeno, Tony M. (14 March 2017). "French Montana Joins Swedish Popstar Dafina Zeqiri In Her 'Four Seasons' Video". Vibe. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  16. ^ "The Top List – 08/10/2017" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 8 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri publikon këngën 'Told Ya'" (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 4 October 2017. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  18. ^ "The Top List – 07/01/2018" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 7 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri shfaqet topless në klipin e ri 'Ti e din'" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 27 December 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  20. ^ "The Top List – 04/11/2018" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 4 November 2018. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  21. ^ "The Top List – 30/12/2018" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 30 December 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  22. ^ "'Një herë në jetë', publikohet nesër nga Cricket dhe Dafina Zeqiri" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  23. ^ "The Top List – 12/04/2020" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 12 April 2020. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Schweizer Spotify Charts – 26 March 2019" (in German). Swiss Hitparade. 2 July 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  25. ^ Velija, Kreizia (9 June 2020). "Dafina Zeqiri jep detaje nga albumi i saj më i ri" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Për herë të parë, Dafina fut në album nënën e saj" (in Albanian). Privé. 8 June 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  27. ^ Velija, Kreizia (18 June 2020). "Dafina vjen me një bashkëpunim me Ledri Vulën dhe Lumi B" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  28. ^ "The Top List – 15/07/2020" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 15 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  29. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri feat. Ledri Vula and Lumi B-Aman – Swiss Charts" (in German). Swiss Hitparade. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Dafina lanson videoklipin e këngës 'Million $'" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 20 August 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  31. ^ "The Top List – 30/08/2020" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 30 August 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri-Million $ – Swiss Charts" (in German). Swiss Hitparade. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  33. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri publikon këngën 'Zili Zili'" (in Albanian). Koha. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri dhe Yll Limani publikojnë bashkëpunimin 'Mos Shko'" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 26 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  35. ^ "The Top List – 01/11/2020" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 1 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  36. ^ "The Top List – 02/01/2021". Top Channel. 2 January 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  37. ^ "Pressinbjudan: Regeringens musikexportpris 2020 delas ut av utrikeshandelsminister Anna Hallberg" (in Swedish). Regeringskansliet. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  38. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri ka zbuluar se kush është frymëzimi i saj më i madh pas nënës" (in Albanian). Gazeta. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  39. ^ "Cilën femër adhuron Dafina Zeqiri?" (in Albanian). Anabel. 26 July 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri kujton yjet e muzikës që ndërruan jetë" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 29 September 2016. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  41. ^ Michael, Marianna. "Dafina Zeqiri NR". NR Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  42. ^ "Who is Dafina Zeqiri?". Kosovo Info. 28 December 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  43. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri features Limani in new single, 'Mos Shko'". Aipate. 5 January 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  44. ^ "New Release Friday: 19 new songs out on October 23rd". Aipate. 24 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  45. ^ Thomson, Zangba (31 October 2020). "Dafina Zeqiri unveils an attractive audiovisual for her "Zili Zili" single". Bong Mines Entertainment. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  46. ^ "Dafina flet për depresionin: Familja dhe fansat nuk e dinë çfarë kam kaluar" (in Albanian). Class Lifestyle. 20 June 2018. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  47. ^ "'It's not a shame to go to a psychologist'. Dafina Zeqiri means this with songs". Tirana Post. 6 February 2021. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  48. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri: Frika shpesh na pengon të jemi të hapur për vështirësitë tona të shëndetit mendor" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 10 February 2021. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  49. ^ "Dafina Zeqiri uron komunitetin LGBT per Paradën e Krenarisë" (in Albanian). Literal Media. 11 October 2019. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  50. ^ "Një nga pamjet e Dafinës në klipin e ri në përkrahje të komunitetit LGBT" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 2 July 2020. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  51. ^ "'Black Lives Matter'–fushata që po përkrahet edhe nga artistët shqiptarë" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 2 June 2020. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.

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