Kejsi Tola
Tola in 2009
Born (1992-05-03) 3 May 1992
Vlorë, Albania
Citizenship
  • Albania
EducationLiceu Artistik Jordan Misja Akademia e Arteve
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
Years active2004–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Websitekejsitola.com

Kejsi Tola (Albanian: [ˈkɛjsi ˈtɔla]; born 3 May 1992) is an Albanian singer and songwriter. She represented Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia, after winning the 47th edition of Festivali i Këngës.[1][2]

Life and career

Kejsi Tola was born on 3 May 1992 into an Albanian family in the city of Vlorë, Albania.[3] Tola began performing at an early age of 11 years old in the talent show "Young Voices of Albania", winning the first prize, and two-time winner of the Young Voices of Shkodra. In the first competition of Gjeniu i Vogël she was one of the ten finalists. Her music career had a jump on 2008, where she won the first prize on the 4th Edition of the talent show Ethet. Tola continued her path by being selected as the winner of the 2008 edition of Festivali i Këngës with the song "Më merr në ëndërr", which enabled her to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, as the youngest performer.

Tola continued her musical studies at Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum, later earning her master's degree as a soprano at the Academy of Arts in Tirana. She continued her music career through some successful and award-winning songs produced by some of the most successful producers; "Me Jeto", "Perendeshe e Fantazise" and "Iceberg". For the past year, Tola has released two new singles "U Rritëm" and "Më ke mua".

Tola represented Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, after winning Festivali i Këngës on 21 December. She finished seventeenth place with 48 points. Her song for the competition was called Carry Me in Your Dreams.[4] Tola's entry has been submitted by Edmond Zhulali who was responsible for the nations very first Eurovision entry The Image of You in Eurovision Song Contest 2004 performed by Anjeza Shahini.[5][6]

Tola attempted to enter the Eurovision Song Contest again in 2010, for the second consecutive time, by participating in Festivali i Këngës 2009 on 27 December 2009. But she placed just 15th with her ballad "Ndonjëherë".[7][8] where she was a finalist and was awarded the First Magic Award.

Tola attempted once more to represent Albania for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. However, her mid-tempo song "Pranë" where she was a finalist and was awarded the Best Vocal Award. In 2012, she attempted to enter the Eurovision Song Contest for third time. Her song is called "Atje" and finished 4th with 42 points. After trying to enter the Eurovision Song Contest again, in 2014, Tola took part in Kënga Magjike with the song "Iceberg" being awarded the Best Production Award. Four years later, she entered the same competition Kënga Magjike with the song "Me ke mua", written, composed and arranged by Flori Mumajesi, where she received the Best Production Award. This song was also nominated at the best song of the year in 2019 Kult Awards.

In 2023, she was again selected to compete in the Festivali i Këngës with the song "Vallëzoj me dritën".[9] However, she later withdrew from the competition.[10]

Discography

Singles

  • "Një Minutë" (2008)
  • "Carry Me in Your Dreams" (2008)
  • "Qiellin do ta Prek me Ty" (2009)
  • "UAT" (2009)
  • "Ndonjëherë" (2009)
  • "Pranë" (2010)
  • "Më Jeto" (2011)
  • "Atje" (2012)
  • "Perëndeshë e Fantazisë" (2012)
  • "S'jemi më atje" (2012)
  • "Iceberg" (2014)
  • "U rritëm" (2018)
  • "Më ke mua" (2018)

Awards

Kënga Magjike

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2009 "Qiellin Do Ta Prek Me Ty" The First Magic Won
2011 "Me Jeto" Best Vocal Won
2012 "Perendeshe e Fantazise" AMC Fun Page Prize Won
2014 "Iceberg" Best Production Won

Kult Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Iceberg" Song of the Year Nominated

Young Voices of Albania

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2003 "Herself" First Prize Won

Young Voices of Shkodra

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2003 "Herself" First Prize Won
2004 "Herself" First Prize Won

References

  1. ↑ "Kejsi Tola". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  2. ↑ "Albanien: Kejsi Tola". eurovision.de (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Kejsi Tola – Biografia" (in Albanian). TeksteShqip. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Final | Eurovision Song Contest – Baku 2012". Eurovision Song Contest. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  5. ↑ "Albania: Complete line-up revealed". Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  6. ↑ "Tola Tola – Carry Me in Your Dreams (Albania 2009) | Eurovision Song Contest – Baku 2012". Eurovision Song Contest. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Hondal, Victor (25 November 2009). "Festivali i Këngës to be held over four shows". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  8. ↑ Brey, Marco (26 November 2009). "Albania: National Final to kick off on Christmas Eve". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 12 August 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  9. ↑ Juhász, Ervin (17 October 2023). "Meet all the participants of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës!". ESCBubble. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Bijuvignesh, Darshan (1 November 2023). "Albania: More Details of Festivali i Këngës 62 Announced Including Line-up Change". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
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