Elvana Gjata

songwriter
model

**Elvana Gjata** (born 3 February 1987) is an Albanian singer, songwriter and model with Kosovar roots. Born and raised in Tirana, she performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. She rose to fame in 2001 as she finished third at the Festival of Young Voices of Albania.

Today, she is one of the most popular singers in the Balkans. As of 2016, she has resided in the United States where she has worked with producers such as Poo Bear and David Guetta.

## Life and career

### Early life

She started singing as a teenager and participated in various children's events. In 2001 she finished in 3rd place at the Festival of Young Voices with her song *Le të këndojmë së bashku* (Let's sing together). Her professional career started at *Ethet*, a similar contest to Idols. After the talent show, she started releasing pop and dance songs and became one of the most influential singers in the Albanian speaking territories. She rose to fame during 2005 and 2006 and continues to be one of Albania's most popular singers.

### Career beginnings

Gjata started working professionally since 2005 after participating in various festivals and releasing her own music. She debuted her first single called *Të kam xhan* (I love you) in Kënga Magjike. The following year, Gjata was invited to work with Tingulli 3nt. They released *Të Dy* (Both of Us). The same year Gjata released her best-selling single to date, *Mamës* which became an instant hit. That same year she also released *Pranë teje* (Near you) and *Zjarri që ti ndez* (The fire you light).

Gjata won her first Videofest Award in 2007 – she won *Best RnB Video* with "Mamës" in 2007, and during that year she released her first album, entitled *Mamës*. Gjata also decided to take part in Kënga Magjike again with *Ku jeton dashuria ime* (Where Is My Love). She advanced to the final round and ended third, behind winner Aurela Gaçe and future collaborator Flori Mumajesi featuring Soni Malaj. The song still remains a very popular ballad in Albania.

In 2008, Gjata mainly focused on her album and she released "Vetes" (Myself) which became a very popular single. The album was later released with the same name.

During 2009, Gjata collaborated with different artists from Albania and Kosovo and was one of the most active singers that year. She released "Nuk janë më" (Not anymore), "Hitech", "Turn U On" (which was nominated for Best Albanian Song that year at the Balkan Music Awards) and "Dhe Zemra Ndal" (My heart stops).

The following year, Gjata released two summer songs, both becoming hits. She first released "A Ke Ti Zemër" (Do You Have a Heart?) and "Mamani Nejën" (Make My Night) with the Kosovar rapper Fugaa. They performed the song in Sofia, Bulgaria at the 2010 Balkan Music Awards. The song was also nominated for Best Albanian Song of the Year.

Gjata has mentioned Beyoncé Knowles has been her biggest influence, perhaps the main reason why most of her hits are based on RnB and pop music.

### *Afër dhe Larg* and Top Fest 8

Gjata entered the eighth edition of Top Fest with "Me Ty" (With You), a pop ballad which received positive feedback from the audience and music critics. Elvana used Top Fest also to promote her album. After her first appearance, she became the favorite artist to win and received a lot of media attention. On June 2011, Gjata was declared the winner. She mentioned that the victory was dedicated to her friend Elsina Hidersha better known as Emmy, an Albanian singer who died in a car accident that year.

Soon after her win, Gjata released her third album *Afër dhe Larg* (Near and Far) in early 2011. The album contained singles, including "Me Ty" and other recent hits such as "Kudo Qe Jam" and the titular single "Afër dhe Larg", as well as singles that were released between 2009 and 2010, and brand new singles recorded especially for the new album.

### Europa Song Contest

On 26 June 2018 the Albanian broadcaster RTSH announce that the country will represented by Elvana Gjata with the song "Ku Vajti" in seventh edition that will held in Akarnes, Iceland.