As is customary in Albania, “Zemrën n’dorë,” the title with which Besa was chosen by the Albanians to represent them at Eurovision 2024, has just undergone a major change.

Following in the footsteps of Arilena Ara in 2020, Besa has switched from Albanian to a title entirely in English. “Zemrën n’dorë” is now replaced by “Titan,” of which we invite you to discover the official video below.

From the original version written and composed by Besa Kokëdhima, Kledi Bahiti, Petrit Sefaj, and Rozana Radi, the melody certainly remains, but the song underwent a big revamp, including the artist believes that it is much better made today. If the production was muscular, in particular with the contribution of urban sounds, it is at the level of the text that the now “Titan” sees the main changes, the transition to English having led to a rewriting in which the main character now holds more keys to escape his situation.

Except for the 2020 competition, this will be the first time since 2017 that Albania will perform entirely in the language of Shakespeare on the Eurovision stage.

Born in Fier, not far from the ancient Corinthian city of Apollonia of Illyria, thirty-seven years ago, Besa Kokëdhima emigrated to the United Kingdom as a teenager and began her career at the same time, in 2003, with the song “Më Beso.” Her first album, simply titled “Besa,” was released in 2006 and features major Albanian contributors in its credits. A regular at music competitions, Besa won Notafest and the title of best singer at Top Fest in 2010 with “Kalorësi i Natës,” and notably won the prestigious (and Festivali i Këngës competitor) Kënga Magjike on her third attempt in 2013 with “Tatuazh në zemër.” She also attempted to represent Romania at Eurovision in 2009 by participating in Selecţia Naţională with “Nothin’ Gonna Change,” but was eliminated in the semi-final.

With numerous singles and eight albums (studio and live) to her credit (the latest, A-Live-Night, dates from 2022), Besa has established herself over twenty years as one of the stars of the Albanian music scene. A coach during the sixth and final season of The Voice Albania, the Albanian artist also maintains special links with France, where she released a single in June 2022. With “In Balance,” she fulfilled her dream of singing in French, a language in which she was working on an album scheduled for release in fall 2022. While the single garnered some media coverage in France upon its release, Besa’s biggest hits to date have been in Albanian, including “Amelia,” “Zemër,” “Zemrën dot nuk ta lexoj,” or “123.”

At the end of 2023, Besa participated in the Festivali i Këngës with “Zemrën n’dorë,” after having appeared in the casting of the 2008 and 2010 editions. Although she did not win – the victory was awarded by the jury to Mal Retkoceri – Albanian viewers praised her for representing the country on the Eurovision 2024 stage!

Before taking the stage at the Malmö Arena, Besa will participate in the traditional pre-show tour, like many other participants in the competition. She will be performing at the PreParty ES on March 30, the Barcelona Eurovision Party on April 6, the London Eurovision Party on April 7, the Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam on April 13, and the first edition of the Nordic Eurovision Party in Stockholm on April 14. This will give her the opportunity to promote “Titan,” the new version of her Eurovision song, to a large audience of Europeans and Eurofans. Additionally, she has just released a new single, “Plastic Hearts,” in collaboration with Marin Hoxha!

Until then, head over to EAQ for the latest news from around the country! But before that: what do you think of this “Titan” with the taste of the traditional Albanian revamp?

/m.ll/