Albina Kelmendi


Albina Kelmendi is a Kosovar singer and songwriter. She rose to fame after placing as the runner-up on the fourth series of The Voice of Albania in 2014. Kelmendi and her family represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Duje".

Early life

Albina Kelmendi was born in Pejë, Kosovo. She studied clarinet and piano at the Halit Kasapolli music school in her hometown, and started performing together with her family under the name Family Band.

Career

2014–2021: ''The Voice of Albania'' and Top Fest

In 2014, she auditioned for the fourth series of The Voice of Albania. After getting chair turns from all four coaches, she joined Team Elsa. She finished as the runner-up of the season.
RoundSongOriginal artistNotes
Blind auditions"Something's Got a Hold on Me"Etta JamesFour-chair turn, joined Team Elsa
Battle"Run Baby Run"Sheryl CrowWon against Nilsa Hysi
Knock Out"Suus"Rona NishliuWon against Xhejni Memlikaj
Live shows"Tomlin e nanës"Jericho
Live shows"Serenata e Shubertit"Frederik Ndoci
Live shows"All for Love"Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, StingWith Team Elsa
Semi-final"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"James Brown
Final"Zgjohu"Jericho
Final"Unchain My Heart"Ray Charles
Final"Tomlin e nanës"JerichoWith Jericho

The following year, she took part in the twelfth edition of Top Fest, where she presented the song "Nuk ka ma mire".

2022–present: ''Nana loke'', Festivali i Këngës, and Eurovision Song Contest

In June 2022, Albina Kelmendi released her debut album, Nana loke. In December of the same year, she and five members of her family took part in the Festivali i Këngës 61 as Albina & Familja Kelmendi, where they presented the song "Duje". While coming in second place on the final night, the result of which was decided by a jury, the public chose her as the Albanian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
At Eurovision in Liverpool, she performed in the second semi-final on 11 May 2023, and managed to successfully qualify to the final. She placed 22nd in the grand final.