Toquel
Born
Klaudjo Dhespo

(1994-12-06) 6 December 1994 (age 29)
Tepelenë, Albania
OccupationRapper
Years active2011–present
Musical career
LabelsMinos EMI[1]

Klaudjo Dhespo (born 6 December 1994), known professionally as Toquel (stylised in all caps), is an Albanian rapper in Greece.

Life and career

Toquel was born as Klaudjo Dhespo on 6 December 1994 into an Albanian family in the city of Tepelenë, Albania.[2][3][4] His family moved from his native country to Heraklion, Greece, when he was 11 months old.[4] During an interview in Greece, Dhespo stated that he experienced discrimination because of his Albanian origin.[5]

Artistry and influences

Dhespo's stage name, Toquel, was inspired by a therapist from Chania, Greece, who helped him to manage his panic attacks.[6] He grew up listening to artists such as 50 Cent, Audio Two, Big L, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mobb Deep, Rakim, Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac and Xzibit.[7]

Discography

Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
GRE
[8]
Ligo Parapano —
777
  • Released: 27 May 2019[10]
  • Label: Minos EMI, Universal
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 1
Beverly Hills
  • Released: 27 May 2022[11]
  • Label: Minos EMI, Universal
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 19
1111
  • Released: 9 November 2023[12]
  • Label: Minos EMI, Universal
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 23
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak
chart
positions 		Certifications Album
GRE
[13] 		ALB
[14]
"Karolina" 2018 — 100 — Non-album singles
"Playboy" — 70
"THL"
(featuring Mad Clip) 		2019 — —
"777" — — 777
"Stars"
(featuring Light) 		1 —
"Pistoli"
(with Sin Laurent) 		2020 1 — Non-album singles
"Fendi"
(with Dirty Harry and Ortiz) 		— —
"Diamantia"
(with Sin Laurent) 		2021 — —
"Kokaina" 1 — IFPI GRE: 4x Platinum[15]
"Rollie" 10 — IFPI GRE: Gold[16]
"Wet"
(with Snik, MG and GameBoy) 		1 — IFPI GRE: 4x Platinum[15]
"Aftoktonia"
(with Rack [el]) 		2 —
"Beverly Hills" 2022 2 — IFPI GRE: Diamond[17] Beverly Hills
"Forema"
(with Roi 6/12) 		2 — IFPI GRE: Platinum[18] Non-album single
"Prosopika Freestyle"
(with Beyond) 		2023 8 — IFPI GRE: 2x Platinum[19] 1111
"Mina Ögon/Ta matia moy"
(with Nineb Youk and Jo Lids) 		8 — IFPI GRE: 2x Platinum[20] Non-album singles
"Monroe"
(with Hawk and Baghdad) 		1 — IFPI GRE: 3x Platinum[21]
"G63"
(with Bloody Hawk [el]) 		1 — IFPI GRE: 3x Platinum[22] 1111
"OAED"
(with Snik and Voyage, featuring
Ivan Greko and BeTaf Beats) 		2024 1 — IFPI GRE: Platinum[20] Non-album single
"Success Freestyle"
(with Ioannis) 		1 — IFPI GRE: Gold[19]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak
chart
positions 		Album
ALB
[23]
"Poppa Bottle"
(Adriano featuring Toquel) 		2017 2 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak
chart
positions 		Certifications Album
GRE
[24]
"Sandra" 2019 5 IFPI GRE: Diamond[20] 777
"Skoni" 2022 10 IFPI GRE: Diamond[25] Beverly Hills
"Kokkina Matia"
(with For3al and Beyond) 		3 IFPI GRE: 2x Platinum[15]
"Platina"
(with Sin Laurent) 		6 IFPI GRE: Diamond[20]
"Panorama"
(with Sin Laurent) 		2 IFPI GRE: 4x Platinum[19]
"Moneydance"
(with Sin Laurent and Beyond) 		9 IFPI GRE: Platinum[15]
"Palmous"
(with Sidarta and Beyond) 		15 IFPI GRE: Diamond[21]
"Allou"
(with Lila and Beyond) 		2023 1 IFPI GRE: 4x Platinum[26] 1111
"3:15" 1 IFPI GRE: 3x Platinum[20]
"Zurbaran" 4 IFPI GRE: 2x Platinum[22]
"Ghetto"
(with Fly Lo and Beyond) 		3
"Fake Love"
(with Rack and Beyond) 		6 IFPI GRE: 2x Platinum[19]
"Asfaltos"
(with Beyond) 		8 IFPI GRE: Platinum[17]
"Drive By"
(with Beyond) 		13 IFPI GRE: Platinum[20]
"Ferma"
(with Roran and Beyond) 		12 IFPI GRE: Gold[25]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ "Toquel – Minos EMI" (in Greek). Minos EMI. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  2. ^ Konstantaras, Antonis (17 May 2019). "Ο Toquel Είναι Star Επειδή Μάλλον Κάτι Κάνει Σωστά" (in Greek). Vice. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  3. ^ "'Toquel', reperi shqiptar që e njohu suksesin në Greqi" (in Albanian). Diaspora Shqiptare. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b Hulot, M. (17 February 2019). "O Toquel ξαναγύρισε με το ραπ του στο φως" (in Greek). Lifo. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Ο ράπερ Toquel μιλάει για τον ρατσισμό που έχει βιώσει στην Ελλάδα" (in Greek). News247. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  6. ^ Καπέλλα, Ναστάζια (23 May 2019). "O Toquel εμπνεύστηκε το όνομά του από έναν ψυχίατρο" (in Greek). OneMan. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  7. ^ Kouka, Anastasia (15 July 2019). "0 Toquel στο Εθνος: "Απευθύνομαι σε εκείνους που η ζωή τούς ζόρισε"" (in Greek). Ethnos. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  8. ^ For peak positions in Greece:
  9. ^ "Ligo Parapano – Album by Toquel". Apple Music. 22 July 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  10. ^ "777 – Album by Toquel". Apple Music. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Beverly Hills – Album by Toquel". Apple Music. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  12. ^ "1111 - Album by TOQUEL". Spotify. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  13. ^ For peak positions in Greece:
  14. ^ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
  15. ^ a b c d "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 38/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  16. ^ "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 35 (31-35)/2021". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  17. ^ a b "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 03/2024". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  18. ^ "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 43/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  19. ^ a b c d "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 08/2024". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 05/2024". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  21. ^ a b "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 06/2024". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  22. ^ a b "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 04/2024". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  23. ^ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
  24. ^ For peak positions in Greece:
  25. ^ a b "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 52/2023". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
  26. ^ "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (Local) Εβδομάδα: 04/2024". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024. Note: See 'Award' column for certification.
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