Ronela Hajati
Ronela Hajati in 2021
Born (1989-09-02) 2 September 1989 (age 34)
Tirana, Albania
NationalityAlbanian
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, dancer
Years active2006 – present
Parent
  • Marash Hajati (father)
Musical career
GenresPop
InstrumentsVocals
Labels

Ronela Hajati (Albanian: [ɾɔˈnɛla haˈjati]; born 2 September 1989), also known mononymously as Ronela, is an Albanian singer, songwriter and dancer. Born and raised in Tirana, she began performing in various singing and dancing competitions as a child before pursuing a career in music. Hajati is noted for her versatility in music, style and interpretation.[citation needed] After winning the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës in 2021, she was designated as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

Life and career

1989–2024: Early life and formations

Ronela Hajati was born on 2 September 1989 into an Albanian family in the city of Tirana, then part of the People's Socialist Republic, present Albania.[2][3] Her mother originally hailed from Korçë while her father, Marash Hajati, was from Shkodër.[4][5] Showing interest in music from a very young age, Hajati studied both ballet and piano during her elementary school years.[6] She also participated in a series of Albanian singing and dancing competitions.[3][7] Hajati continued her early career with participations on various music events at different occasions, such as Top Fest and Kënga Magjike.[2] She rose to significant prominence in the Albanian-speaking Balkans upon the release of the acclaimed single "Mala Gata" in May 2013.[8] In late 2013, she participated in the 15th edition of Kënga Magjike with the song "Mos ma lsho", which earned her the Internet Award in the grand final.[9] In December 2015, Hajati released her follow-up single "A do si kjo" and peaked at number 13 in Albania.[10][11] The succeeding charting single, "Marre", followed in June 2016 and peaked at number 13 as well.[12]

In the span of 2017 and 2018, Hajati released four subsequent singles, including "Mos ik", "Sonte", "Maje men" and "Do ta luj", to commercial success with altogether reaching the top 30 in Albania, resepectively.[13][14][15][16] In December 2018, Hajati successfully participated at Kënga Magjike on its 20th edition with the song "Vuj" eventually finishing in fourth place.[17] In March 2019, following a certain absence, the singer released "Pa dashni" and reached number six in Albania.[18][19] Her chart success followed into June 2019 with the single "Çohu", a collaboration with Albanian rapper Don Phenom, debuting at number seven on Albania's Top 100.[20][21] Succeeding the top 10 single "Lage", Hajati scored her first number-one single with the follow-up "MVP" released later that year in September 2019.[22][23] In July 2020, the Albanian football club KF Tirana approached Hajati to produce and perform the club's anthem "Bardh' e blu" as part of celebrations to mark its centenary year.[24][25]

2021–present: RRON and Eurovision

See also: Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Hajati announced her debut studio album, RRON, in March 2021.[26] Its lead single, "Prologue", debuted in the same month at number 19 on the Albanian Top 100 and rose to number two a month later.[27][28] The second single, "Shumë i mirë" which had reached number 15 in late 2021, was nominated for an award at the 2021 Netët e Klipit Shqiptar gala in Ulcinj, Montenegro.[2][29] Succeeding "Shumë i mirë", the third single, "Aventura" released in May 2021, went on to peak at number three in her native country.[30] In June 2021, Hajati collaborated with Kosovo-Albanian musician Vig Poppa on the album's fourth single, "Alo", which became a top 15 single that month.[31][32] Released in October 2021, the follow-up "Leje" eventually reached number 13.[33]

In November 2021, the Albanian national broadcaster, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), reported that Hajati was one of 20 artists shortlisted to compete in the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës with the song "Sekret".[34] During the grand final in December 2021, the singer emerged victorious and was thus announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.[35][36] "Sekret" was performed in the first semi-final of the contest on 10 May 2022, but failed to qualify for the final despite being a favourite, finishing in 12th place as Albania's eighth non-qualification in the contest.[37] The song entered the charts in selected countries after its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, reaching number three in Albania and number 67 in Greece.[38]

On February 20, 2023, Hajati was announced as one of the 106 acts that had been selected for the semi-final stages of Una voce per San Marino, the Eurovision national selection process for San Marino in 2023.[39] She was one of four acts from her semi-final to move to the Second Chance round, later being announced as one of the 22 finalists. Hajati took part in the competition with the Spanish-language song “Salvaje”. Eventually, she did not reach the top 10 of the selection's final.[40]

Artistry

Hajati has been noted for being versatile in her music, style and interpretation. She is primarily characterised as a pop artist, although she has been experimenting with different music genres, including R&B and reggae.[2][41][42][43] She has named American musician Michael Jackson as her idol and one of her biggest musical influences.[44] Hajati is also a fan of Puerto Rican musician Ricky Martin and attended his concert in New York City in October 2021.[45][46]

Personal life

Hajati is considered an image for body and self-confidence.[47][48][49] She is also regarded as a discreet person in terms of personal life. In 2015, she began a relationship with Albanian musician Young Zerka with whom she collaborated on numerous singles and music videos before breaking up in 2018.[50] As of December 2021, Hajati resides with her mother in Tirana.[51]

Discography

Albums

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
ALB
[52] 		GRE
[38]
"Requiem"
(with Orgesa Zajmi) 		2006 — — Non-album singles
"Me ty nuk shkoj" 2007 —
"Shumë Nice" 2009 —
"Kam frikë te të dua" —
"Harroje" 2010 —
"Neles"
(featuring Visari Skillz) 		2011 —
"Nuk ka më kthim" 2012 —
"Mala Gata" 2013 —
"Mos ma lsho" —
"Veç na"
(with Agon Amiga) 		2014 —
"A do si kjo" 2015 13 —
"Amini" 2016 — —
"Marre" 13 —
"Syni i jemi"
(with Young Zerka) 		— —
"Mos ik" 2017 21 —
"Ladies" — —
"Sonte"
(with Lyrical Son) 		22 —
"Diamanta"
(with Young Zerka) 		— —
"Maje men" 2018 24 —
"Do ta luj" 18 —
"Vuj" — —
"Pa dashni" 2019 6 —
"Çohu"
(featuring Don Phenom) 		7 —
"Lage" 6 —
"MVP" 1 —
"Genjeshtar je X Pare" 2020 16 —
"Bardh e blu" — —
"Prologue" 2021 2 — RRON
"Shumë i mirë" 15 —
"Aventura" 3 —
"Alo"
(featuring Vig Poppa) 		14 —
"Leje"
(featuring Klement) 		13 —
"Sekret" 3 67 Non-album singles
"Gips"
(with MatoLale) 		2022 4 — RRON
"Caramel" 11 —
"Valle" — —
"Shtroje me leke"[53] 2023 — —
"Si yll"[54] — —
"Shikimet" — —
"Hajde shpirti" — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist
Title Year Album
"Ka je 2x"
(Adrian Gaxha featuring Ronela Hajati) 		2017 Non-album singles
"Dilema"
(Don Phenom featuring Ronela Hajati) 		2019
"Papi Chulo"
(MatoLale featuring Ronela Hajati) 		2022

Songwriter credits

List of singles as songwriter
Song Year Artist Album Ref.
"Ti se din se" 2014 Samanta Karavella Non-album singles [55]
"Anna" 2018 Young Zerka [56]
"Nuk ma nin" [57]
"Maraz" 2019 Anxhela Peristeri [58]
"Lujta" 2020 [59]
"Oj dashni" 2021 Ardit Çuni [60]
"Dubai" 2022 Tea Tairović Balkanija [61]

References

  1. ^ "Young Zerka e pranon se është në lidhje me Ronela Hajatin". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ronela Hajati – Biografia" (in Albanian). TeksteShqip. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Ronela Hajati #Bio" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 24 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  4. ^ "A e dini prej nga e ka origjinën Ronela Hajati?" (in Albanian). Privé. 24 December 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Ronela Hajati i emocionon të gjithë, bën gjestin më të bukur për babanë e ndjerë (FOTO)". Shekulli (in Albanian). 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  6. ^ "10 gjëra që mbase nuk i dinit për Ronela Hajatin". Anabel Magazine (in Albanian). 14 August 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Ronela Hajati bëhet nostalgjike, ja fotot nga fëmijëria". Bota Sot (in Albanian). 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Ronela publikon këngën e re". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Besa fituese e Kënga Magjike 2013". Lajme (in Albanian). 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Ronela publikon 'A do si kjo'" (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  11. ^ Velija, Kreizia (15 April 2016). "Ronela Hajati, ja kur e publikon këngën e re" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Ronela Hajati publikon 'Marre-n'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Zbuloni se kujt i thotë Ronela Hajati 'Mos Ik'" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
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  15. ^ "Ronela Hajati rikthehet në 'The Top List' me 'Maje Men', si këngë e sugjeruar nga publiku, pas shumë javësh mungesë" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 1 October 2018. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
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  17. ^ "Ronela: Mora gjithçka që kam dashur në 'Kënga Magjike', dashurinë tuaj". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 9 December 2018. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Ronela Hajati po vjen 'Pa dashni'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 19 March 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  19. ^ "Ronela Hajati publikon këngën e re 'Pa dashni'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 28 March 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Ronela Hajata dhe Don Phenom publikojnë 'Çohu'". Koha Ditore (in Albanian). 1 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Dy këngë nga Ronela dhe Don Phenom këtë javë, po vetëm njëra gjen vend në 'The Top List'" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 12 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  22. ^ "Ronela Hajati publikon këngën e re 'MVP'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 21 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  23. ^ "Ronela është 'Most Valuable Player' e javës!" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 29 September 2019. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Ronela Hajati vjen ndryshe, publikon këngën dedikuar ekipit të Tiranës" (in Albanian). ABC News. 20 July 2021. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Publikohet 'Bardh' e blu', kënga mbështetëse për KF Tiranën nga Ronela Hajati dhe DJ Sardi". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 28 July 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Ronela Hajati së shpejti lanson albumin 'Rron', pas 20 vitesh karrierë". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  27. ^ "Ronela Hajati publikon këngën e parë 'Prologue' nga albumi 'Rron', vjen me paraqitje unike në klip". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  28. ^ "Ronela gati për albumin, por kënga e parë pak si e çuditshme" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  29. ^ "Shumë i mirë by Ronela Hajati" (in Albanian). Netët e Klipit Shqiptar. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Ronela Hajati më 20 maj publikon këngën e re 'Aventura'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 15 May 2021. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Publikohet 'Alo' nga Ronela Hajati dhe Vig Poppa". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 20 June 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  32. ^ Reka, Sindi (16 June 2021). "Ronela Hajati tregon bashkëpunimin e rradhës me reperin e njohur shqiptar dhe ka një datë publikimi!" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  33. ^ Reka, Sindi (22 September 2021). "Ronela do të sjellë "Leje" më shpejt nga çfarë mendonim!". Top Albania Radio (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  34. ^ Tejeci, Erdi (9 November 2021). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 60 artists include Mirud, Alban Ramosaj and Ronela Hajati". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  35. ^ "The 'Sekret' is out: Ronela Hajati will represent Albania 🇦🇱". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Ronela Hajati fiton vendin e parë në Festivalin e Këngës" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  37. ^ "Eurovision 2022: The First Semi-Final Qualifiers". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 10 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  38. ^ a b For peak positions in Greece:
  39. ^ "San Marino: Una Voce per San Marino 2023 Semi-Finalists Revealed". 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  40. ^ "I Piqued Jacks sono i vincitori della seconda edizione di Una voce Per San Marino". 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  41. ^ "Ronela Hajati publikon këngën e re 'Lage'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  42. ^ "Verës së nxehtë vetëm Ronela i bën derman, ju lag të gjithëve" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  43. ^ "Ronela Hajati publikon këngën e re 'Do ta luj'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  44. ^ "Ronela Hajati sapo na prezantoi idhullin e saj" (in Albanian). Kosovarja-ks. 3 November 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  45. ^ Reka, Sindi (18 October 2021). "I takon dhe asaj! Ronela Hajati na tregon pak nga pushimet e saj në New York" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  46. ^ "Ronela Hajati vjen elegante dhe plot stil nga New York-u". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 18 October 2021. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  47. ^ "Ronela Hajati tërheq vëmendje me pozat ku thekson të pasmet". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 5 October 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  48. ^ "'Super Photoshop, je dhe dy herë kaq' – Ronela Hajati nuk ia përton një përgjigje ndjeksës, zbulon edhe nëse ështe ende beqare". Panorama (in Albanian). 12 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  49. ^ "Ronela e vetmja këngëtare që ka guximin të dalë siç e ka falë Zoti". Kosovarja (in Albanian). 20 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  50. ^ "Ronela Hajati dhe Young Zerka i japin fund lidhjes 3-vjeçare, mosmarrëveshjet që i çuan drejt ndarjes". Panorama (in Albanian). 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  51. ^ "'E dua burrin Shqiptar, dua të dashuroj por…' – Ronela Hajti zbulon më kë jeton dhe sherrin ku 'bëri të vdekur një djalë': Qeshte e tallej syte më bënin xixa". Panorama (in Albanian). 17 December 2021. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  52. ^ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
  53. ^ "New music this week (part 2)". 30 April 2023. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  54. ^ "New music this week (part 1): Songs from Reiley, Sam Ryder, Elena Tsagrinou and more". Wiwibloggs. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  55. ^ "Cila është pika më e fortë e Samantës?" (in Albanian). Rajoni Press. 26 July 2014. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  56. ^ "Young Zerka publikon projektni e ri 'Anna'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 30 April 2018. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  57. ^ "'Nuk ma nin', publikohet kënga e re nga Young Zerka". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 6 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  58. ^ "'Maraz', thotë Anxhela Peristeri në projektin e ri". Lajmi (in Albanian). 26 April 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  59. ^ "Anxhela Peristeri e ka lansuar klipin e këngës 'Lujta'". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 22 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  60. ^ "'Oj dashni', Çiljeta Xhilaga publikon duetin me këngëtarin e njohur" (in Albanian). ABC News. 22 December 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  61. ^ "Këngëtarja serbe Tea Tairovic paguan 10 mijë euro për të huazuar këngën 'Leje' të Ronela Hajatit". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
Awards and achievements Preceded byAnxhela Peristeriwith "Karma" Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 Succeeded byAlbina & Familja Kelmendiwith "Duje"
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