About BESA
A unique voice, emotional sound & innovative creative flavor
As a pop artist, Besa’s music blends multiple genres, including pop, electronic, R&B, and ballads, creating a sound that is both distinctive and emotionally resonant. Her work is defined by strong melodies, expressive storytelling, and a signature vocal intensity.
Known for her captivating stage presence, Besa delivers performances that are both powerful and emotionally immersive, reflecting a rich and dynamic artistic identity. Despite periods of artistic evolution and time dedicated to her French and English-language projects, she has maintained a deep and lasting connection with her audience.
Beyond her music, Besa is actively engaged in social causes, advocating for animal rights, equality, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Besa Kokëdhima, known professionally as Besa, is a multi award-winning Albanian singer recognized for her powerful voice and emotionally driven performances.
Over the years, she has established herself as one of the most influential voices in the Albanian music scene, with major accolades from Kënga Magjike and Top Fest, participation in Festivali i Këngës and Eurovision, and prominent roles as a coach on The Voice and a judge on The X Factor.
Beyond her music, Besa is also an active advocate for social causes, supporting initiatives related to freedom, equality, animal rights, and the protection of women against violence and discrimination.
Biography
Besa Kokëdhima was born in Fier, Albania, into a family of mathematicians. She is the daughter of Koço Kokëdhima, a mathematician and entrepreneur, and Brixhida Kokëdhima. Her family roots trace back to Qeparo, in the Breg region of southern Albania.
From an early age, Besa showed a strong inclination toward music. She began performing in school events and local competitions, gaining early recognition for her vocal talent. At the age of 13, she made her first public appearance on Albanian national television (Radio Televizioni Shqiptar).
Although her family initially approached a musical career with caution, Besa continued her artistic development through piano studies and vocal training. At 15, she moved to the United Kingdom to pursue her high school education, where she recorded her first cover, “Street Symphony” by Monica.
Her professional breakthrough came shortly after with the release of “Më Beso,” written by Florian Mumajesi, in collaboration with the group Produkt 28. The song achieved significant success and earned her the main prize at Mikrofoni i Artë in 2003, marking her arrival as a promising new voice in the industry.
At 19, Besa returned to Albania to fully pursue her music career, beginning work on her debut album, released in 2006 — a project that would establish her as a major presence in Albanian contemporary music.
Besa is widely recognized for her distinctive voice and deeply emotive delivery, bringing an intensity and authenticity to her music that has made her one of the most beloved artists across Albania, Kosovo, and the wider region. At the age of 19, she returned to Albania to begin work on her debut album, Besa, released on July 29, 2006. The album quickly established her presence in the industry, producing standout hits such as “Zonja dhe Zotërinj,” “Mëngjesi Im Je Ti,” and “Lëshoje Hapin.” The project featured collaborations with some of the most influential figures in Albanian music, including Dorian Gjoni, Florian Mumajesi, Genti Lako, Andy DJ, and Stine. That same year, Besa represented Albania at the MTV Exit concert and gained international attention through her participation in Notafest in North Macedonia, where she won the Jury’s First Prize with “Lëshoje Hapin.” Her momentum continued with appearances at Kënga Magjike in 2006 and 2007, earning awards such as Best Dance for “Tani të Dua” and the Jon Music Award for “Pa Yllin Tënd.” Her success carried into Top Fest, where she won Best Pop & Rock in 2007 with “Unik,” followed by the Internet Prize in 2008, and ultimately the festival’s top award with the enduring hit “Engjëjt Vrasin Njëlloj.” In 2009, Besa expanded her reach internationally, competing in Romania’s Eurovision selection with the English-language track “Nothin’ Gonna Change,” reaching the semi-finals. She further represented Albania at Ohrid Fest, earning the Best Performance award with the rock-influenced “Versus.” In 2010, she returned to Top Fest, winning Best Female Singer with “Kalorësi i Natës,” and released the powerful R&B collaboration “Nuk jam ajo” with Jehona Sopi. In the years that followed, Besa continued to evolve artistically, releasing English-language material such as “Always on My Mind,” and returning to Kënga Magjike in 2011 with “Botën do ndryshoja,” which earned the Critics Award and placed third. Her 2012 release “Fishekzjarre” became a major success, receiving the Radio Hit Award, while 2013 marked a period of international collaboration and visibility. She released “Burning” with Romanian DJ LLP, followed by the hit single “Folie,” and performed at major international events including the Sopot International Song Festival in Poland alongside globally recognized artists. Later that year, Besa returned to Kënga Magjike with “Tatuazh në Zemër,” securing a major victory in one of Albania’s most competitive music arenas, along with the Best Dance Award. Alongside her mainstream success, Besa has also cultivated a unique artistic identity through thematic projects, including her holiday releases Besa për Festat and Ti Je Festa Ime, becoming one of the first artists in the region to establish a tradition of Albanian-language Christmas albums. Her international ambitions continued with releases such as “Amelia,” promoted by the Romanian label Roton Music, and a series of genre-blending singles including “All In,” showcasing her versatility across pop, R&B, and electronic sounds. Beyond recordings, Besa has maintained a strong presence in television and live performance. In 2017, she served as a coach on The Voice of Albania, where she was voted the audience’s favorite judge. She later pursued jazz studies in Paris, further expanding her musical depth and artistic direction. In recent years, Besa has embraced a more international sound, releasing French-language material such as “En Équilibre,” marking her debut in the French music scene, alongside projects in English and collaborations across Europe. Her recent work includes singles such as “Tiki Tiki,” “Zemrën n’dorë,” and “Inshallah,” as well as multiple collaborations with regional and international artists. She has also released tracks such as “Ring My Bell,” co-written with international songwriter Emilio Munda, and “Look at Ya,” produced by French record producer Alias LJ, reflecting her continued expansion into the global music scene. In 2025, she competed in Una Voce per San Marino, placing sixth, and continued to broaden her discography with new releases and cross-genre projects. In 2026, Besa released Nostalgia, a collection of previously unreleased material spanning 2003–2011, showcasing the breadth of her early artistic experimentation. She has also announced the upcoming release of her ballad-focused album ADN, a return to the emotional depth and signature songwriting that define her artistic identity. Beyond her music, Besa is actively involved in social causes, including advocacy for women’s rights, environmental awareness, animal protection, and charitable initiatives supporting vulnerable communities.