Elvana Gjata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elvana Gjata
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Gjata in 2025
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| Born | 3 February 1987 |
| Other names |
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| Education | University of Arts, Tirana |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, actress |
| Years active | 2001–present |
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Notable work
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| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | East Music Matters (EMM) |
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Elvana Gjata is a famous Albanian singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She was born in Tirana, Albania, on February 3, 1987. Many people call her a "Diva of Albanian music."
Elvana became well-known in Albania and other Albanian-speaking areas. This happened after she released her first two albums, Mamës (in 2007) and Afër dhe larg (in 2011). She also had great success with her extended plays, 3 (in 2018) and Çelu (in 2021). Many of her songs reached number one on the Albanian music charts. Elvana has won many awards, including two Balkan Music Awards and several awards from Albanian music festivals.
Contents
Elvana Gjata's Life and Music Career
Early Life and First Steps in Music (1987–2010)
Elvana Gjata was born into a Catholic family in Tirana, Albania. Her father worked in the Albanian military for over 20 years. Elvana's older sister, Migena, is also a musician and a soprano singer in Germany. Elvana studied at the University of Arts in Tirana. She wanted to become a film director. Elvana has said that she grew up in a family that was not rich but was very happy.
When she was 14, Elvana tried out for an Albanian talent show called Ethet e së premtes mbrëma. This was when she started to focus on music. In December 2003, she took part in the 42nd Festivali i Këngës with her song "Pranë teje," but she did not win. Her next song, "Të kam xhan," came out in 2004. She competed with this song in the Kënga Magjike contest that year. After this, she began working on her first album, Mamës.
Elvana also competed in Kënga Magjike in 2007 and 2009. In June 2011, she won the 8th Top Fest with her song "Me ty." She dedicated this song to her friend Elsina Hidersha, who had passed away in a car accident that year.
Success with Afër dhe larg (2011–2016)
In August 2011, Elvana released her second album, Afër dhe Larg. It had 15 songs, including the popular title track. This song was so successful that it won Elvana her first international award. She received it at the Balkan Music Awards in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2012.
Later in 2011, Elvana was part of an advertisement campaign for a bank in Kosovo. In February 2012, she joined the third season of Albania's Dancing with the Stars. She was a favorite to win and received high scores. Elvana eventually won the competition.
In April 2012, she released the song "Gjaku im" to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania. She dedicated this song to the Albanian people. Soon after, she became the face of the Albanian TV platform Tring Digital. In March 2013, Elvana worked with Albanian rapper 2po2 on the popular song "Beso."
In February 2014, Elvana released "Disco Disco" with the duo Kaos. Then came "Puthe," which became popular in Poland. That year, she also released her first extended play, Acoustic Live Session. It featured live performances of five of her songs. In 2014, she also became the official face of the Albanian phone company, Albtelecom.
In March 2015, she teamed up with Albanian musician Flori Mumajesi for "Kuq e zi je ti." This song became the official supporters' song for the Albania national football team at the 2016 UEFA European Championship. A year later, her song "Love me" with Albanian singer Bruno was nominated for Song of the Year. In July 2016, she surprised everyone by releasing her number one song "Njësoj" without any warning. In October 2016, she had another number one hit with "Lejla." This song was a collaboration with Albanian rappers Capital T and 2po2.
3 and Çelu (2017–2021)
After spending some months in the United States, Elvana started working with American producer Poo Bear and French DJ David Guetta. In February 2017, she went to the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles because Poo Bear invited her. By June 2017, her first English song, "Forever Is Over," became a number-one hit in Albania.
Elvana's second extended play, 3, came out on her 31st birthday, February 3, 2018. It included two number-one songs, "Më fal" and "Xheloz." In April 2018, she was featured on Poo Bear's song "Shade." She also worked with American singer Ty Dolla Sign on her song "Off Guard." After Elvana returned to Albania, her songs "Ku Vajti" and "Mike" both reached number 2 in her home country.
In February 2019, after a short break, she released her next number one song, "Tavolina e mërzisë." In June 2019, Elvana worked with Capital T again on the song "Fustani," which also reached number one in Albania. "Fustani" was followed by "Meine Liebe" with German-Albanian singer Ardian Bujupi. This song reached number 73 in Switzerland.
In August 2019, Elvana released "A m'don." She then performed at the Sunny Hill Festival in Pristina. She shared the stage with famous artists like Miley Cyrus, Calvin Harris, and Dua Lipa. In October 2019, the Albanian TV station RTSH announced that Elvana would compete in the 58th Festivali i Këngës. This contest chooses Albania's song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. Elvana was a favorite to win, but she finished in second place.
After a year away, she released her song "Thirr" on her 34th birthday, February 3, 2021. It immediately went to number one. Her third extended play, Çelu, was released in April 2021. Songs like "Drandofilat," "Kunadhe," and "Mos u ngut" from the album reached number one on the Albanian Top 100 chart. "A po vjen" and "Kur jemi dasht" both made it into the top 20. In June 2021, Elvana's song "Loti" became number one in Albania and reached number 55 in Switzerland. Her success continued in July 2021 with "E di," featuring Kosovo-Albanian singer Yll Limani. In August 2021, her song "Papa," with Romanian artists Sickotoy and Inna, became popular in several countries.
Continued Success (2022–Present)
From January to March 2022, Elvana's songs "Ska" with rapper Mozzik, "Pow," and "Ex" with DJ Gimi-O and rapper Bardhi were very successful. In April 2023, she released "Rrotullo" with singer Dhurata Dora. The song was produced by Panda Music. "Synin" was her next song, released on June 16, 2023.
Elvana Gjata held a big concert called "Decade" at the Air Albania stadium on June 22, 2023. This concert celebrated her 20 years in music. In July 2023, she released "Si Na" and "Pak." In October 2024, RTSH announced that Elvana would compete in the 63rd Festivali i Këngës with the song "Karnaval." She finished second in the final.
In 2023, Elvana Gjata's "Dekada" concert at the Air Albania Stadium in Tirana sold out. About 25,000 people attended, making it the biggest concert by a solo artist in Albania. A year later, Elvana performed at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. This concert also sold out, with around 20,000 people. It is the most attended concert by an Albanian artist outside of Albania.
Elvana Gjata's Artistic Style
Elvana Gjata's music, art, and fashion sense are often talked about in Albania and other Albanian-speaking areas. Many people praise her fashion style, calling her a fashion icon. Elvana's music is mostly R&B and pop. However, she has also tried different music styles. These include EDM, ethnic-pop, dance-pop, funk, pop rock, and soul.
She has said that Albanian musicians like Vaçe Zela, Parashqevi Simaku, Aurela Gaçe, and Nexhmije Pagarusha have inspired her. She also looks up to Canadian singer Celine Dion.
Other Activities
Throughout her career, Elvana Gjata has also worked in other areas. These include film, fashion, and design. In 2014, she appeared on the covers of British Velvet and Albanian Anabel magazines. In 2016, she started her own fashion line. She partnered with Albanian fashion designer Valdrin Sahiti to create a special gown collection called "Lejla."
Personal Life
In 2023, Elvana Gjata shared that she follows a special diet. She said she is "90% vegan and 10% pescetarian." This means she mostly eats plant-based foods but also includes fish.
Music Albums and Songs
- 2008 : Mamës [Album]
- 2011: Afër dhe Larg [Album]
- 2014: Beso (feat. 2po2)
- 2014: Fake
- 2014: Disco Disco (feat. Kaos)
- 2014: Puthe
- 2014: 1990 (feat. MC Kresha)
- 2015 : Kuq E zi (feat. Flori Mumajesi)
- 2015 : Love Me (feat. Bruno)
- 2016: Njesoj
- 2016: Lejla (feat. Capital T & 2po2)
- 2017 : Forever is Over (with David Guetta)
- 2018 : [EP] 3
- 2018 : Off Guard (feat. Ty Dolla Sign)
- 2018 : Ku Vajti
- 2018: Mike (feat. Ledri Vula & John Shah)
- 2018: Tavolina E Merzise
- 2019 : Fustani (feat. Capital T)
- 2019 : Me Tana
- 2019 : A m'don
- 2021 : Çelu [ALBUM]
- 2021 : Edi (feat. Yll Limani)
- 2021: Marre (feat. Yll Limani)
- 2021: Loti
- 2021: Papa (feat. INNA & Sickotoy)
- 2021: Flake (feat. Capital T)
- 2022: Ska (feat. Mozzik)
- 2022: POW
- 2022: Ex (feat. Bardhi & Dj Gimi-O)
- 2022 : Gajde (feat. Dhurata Dora)
- 2022: Clap Clap (feat. Antonia & Gran Error)
- 2023: Rrotullo (feat. Dhurata Dora)
- 2023: SI NA
- 2023: SYNIN
- 2023 : Pak
- 2024: Hana
- 2024: Ku Gjen Me Mire
- 2024: Besame En Rio
- 2024: Per ty atdhe
- 2024: No Love (feat. Ledri Vula)
- 2024: Nihna (feat. Dardan & Çelik Lipa)
- 2024: Shhh! (feat. Ledri Vula)
- 2024: Gocat
- 2024: Karnaval
- 2025: Grada
- 2025 : Lumja Toka
- 2025 : Knojna
- 2025: Trilogji (Kapitulli I - GRADA) [Album]
Movies
- 2 Gisht Mjaltë (2019)
- 2 Gisht Mjaltë 2 (2024)
- Tenxherja Kapakun (2024)
See also
In Spanish: Elvana Gjata para niños
- Elvana Gjata videography
- List of awards and nominations received by Elvana Gjata
