Etnon

Last updated
Etnon
Also known asEtno Engjujt
Origin Pristina, Kosovo
Years active1997– 2018
LabelsBlack Fish Entertainment
MembersGenc Prelvukaj
Milot Hasangjekaj

Etnon (formerly Etno Engjujt) [1] were an ethnic Albanian Hop-Hop duo from Pristina, Kosovo formed in 1997. The group consisted of Genc Prelvukaj (born July 17, 1981) [2] and Milot Hasangjekaj, known respectively as Gentz and Mc`M. [3] [1]

Contents

Etnon had been known for their fusion of ethnic Albanian music with rhythm of modern hip-hop. The group managed to be among the most popular acts during post-war years because of the appeal of their heavy nationalism. Their song "Albanian" from their fourth album Vitamin E was their most influential song, and has left traces in the Albanian music scene. [4] [5] The nationalism shown in music video for the song caused it to be banned from airing in Montenegro. [6] [7] Etnon produced seven albums over their 21 years of activity. The group is no longer active, as the members split in 2018. [8] Prelvukaj stayed within the music industry as the CEO of Black Fish Entertainment and has found success in his solo career. [9] Hasangjekaj is no longer active in the industry entirely after his solo act from 2017-2021 known as BigEm. [10] In 2019, after the group's dissolve, many of Etnon's songs were published by Prelvukaj onto Spotify, Deezer, and iTunes via compilations. [11]

Etnon often cooperated with other Albanian singers, such as Mad Lion, Don Arbas, Lyrical Son, Tingulli 3nt, Genta Ismajli, and Arta Bajrami. [12]

Musical style

Etnon's style was generally a fusion of west-coast style Hip-Hop with ethnic Albanian music. Their earlier work covered topics of Albanian ethnic pride and nationalism, as well as other political topics. [13] However, in 2009, the band transitioned to partying and other lighter topics as their main subject matter. This change in subject matter also triggered a change in name for the group, becoming Etnon in place of Etno Engjujt (translating to Ethnic Angels), which the members believed was unnecessarily nationalist for the new style. [14]

Members

The group consisted of Genc Prelvukaj, known as Gentz, and Milot Hasangjekaj, known as Mc'M, and later BigEm. Generally, Prelvukaj produced and wrote for the group during its activity. Prelvukaj has been married to singer and songwriter Eni Koçi since 2019 and has a daughter named Adea and a son named Gjini. [15] [16] Prelvukaj also makes his own music under his own name independently from Etnon. [17] He was a political advisor in Pristina from 2010 to 2015. [18] [12] [19] Hasangjekaj became somewhat independent from the duo in 2017, to be known independently as BigEm, with some songs still being produced by Prelvukaj. [20] [21] [22] His second child was born in 2017. [23] The birth of his children and his marriage have led him to focus more on his personal life, staying away from the music industry as of September 2022. [24]

Black Fish Entertainment

Genc Prelvukaj founded the production company and record label Black Fish Entertainment, originally Gramafon entertainment. [12] [25] Etnon's later music was published under the label, and Prelvukaj is the CEO of the company. [26] The company also produces the music videos for the artists it publishes. [17] Prelvukaj and the record label have been highly critical of Top Awards for their lack of a nomination for the song "Shake It", a collaboration between Etnon and Genta Ismajli, among other highly successful songs of 2016. [27] This served as a criticism toward Top Awards and their knowledge of the Albanian music industry as a whole and brought into question bias in their awarding. [28]

Discography

Related Research Articles

Dafina Zeqiri, also known mononymously as Dafina, is a Swedish-born Kosovo-Albanian singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alban Skënderaj</span> Albanian singer and songwriter (born 1982)

Alban Skënderaj is an Albanian singer, songwriter, composer, actor, producer and television personality. Born in Lushnjë and raised in Vlorë, Skënderaj has established himself as a viable artist in Albania and the Albanian-speaking Balkans. Beyond his music career, the singer has been featured as a judge on the Albanian television series The X Factor Albania and The Voice of Albania.

Kreshnik Fazliu, known professionally as MC Kresha, is a Kosovo-Albanian rapper and songwriter. Born and raised in Mitrovica, Fazliu is credited as a viable hip hop artist in the Albanian-speaking Balkans.

Altuna Sejdiu, also known professionally as Tuna, is a Macedonian-Albanian singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvana Gjata</span> Albanian singer and songwriter (born 1987)

Elvana Gjata is an Albanian singer, songwriter and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Tirana, she has been referred to as a "Diva of Albanian music". She rose to recognition in Albania and other Albanian-speaking territories in the Balkans following the release of her two studio albums, Mamës (2007) and Afër dhe larg (2011). The singer saw further success through many acclaimed singles, as well as her extended plays 3 (2018) and Çelu (2021), and has achieved multiple number one singles in the Albanian singles chart. Gjata has also received numerous awards and accolades, including two Balkan Music Awards, a Festivali i Këngës Award, four Kënga Magjike Awards and a Top Fest Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visarion Xhuvani</span> Albanian bishop (1890–1965)

Metropolitan Visarion Xhuvani was the primate of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania from 1929 to 1936. He was a main contributor to the autocephaly, and a close collaborator of Fan Noli.

Peć is a city located at the western part of the Kosovo. Numerous cultural activities and events are organized each year in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noizy</span> Albanian rapper (born 1986)

Rigels Rajku, known professionally as Noizy, is an Albanian rapper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alban Ramosaj</span> Albanian singer (born 1996)

Alban Ramosaj is an Albanian singer, songwriter and model. Born in Ede and raised in Tirana, he auditioned for The Voice of Albania in 2013 and emerged as the winner of the 22nd edition of Kënga Magjike in 2021.

Gazmend Sinani was a Kosovan professional basketball player who last played as a center for Leeds Force and the Kosovo national team.

Doruntina Shala, known professionally as Tayna, is a Kosovo-Albanian rapper and singer. Born and raised in Prizren, she rose to prominence in the Albanian-speaking territories during the span of 2018 after the releases of five top-three singles. Her success was further solidified upon her breakthrough in German-speaking territories in 2020 as she signed a record contract with Sony Music.

Betim Januzaj, known professionally as Buta, is a Kosovo-Albanian rapper.

Ledri Vula is a Kosovo-Albanian rapper, singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronela Hajati</span> Albanian singer and songwriter (born 1989)

Ronela Hajati, 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. After winning the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës in 2021, she was designated as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

Eni Koçi, is an Albanian singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brotherly derby</span>

Brotherly derby, also known as the Brotherly is the name given in football to any match between the men's national senior football team of Albania and Kosovo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ajkune Ahmetaj</span>

Ajkune Ahmetaj is a Kosovo Albanian celebrity hairdresser and philanthropist based in Switzerland. She is the first Albanian hairdresser who has developed her signature hairstyling products and cosmetics. Notable clients include Tayna, Kida, Rina, Dafina Zeqiri, Genta Ismajli, and Elvana Gjata.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albina Kelmendi</span> Kosovo singer-songwriter (born 1998)

Albina Kelmendi is a Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame after placing as the runner-up on the fourth series of The Voice of Albania in 2014. Kelmendi and her family represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Duje".

NEGO also known as Genc Avdyli is an Albanian record producer, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his hit song "Karma" which he released in 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 Biography on teksteshqip.com. Retrieved 2023-1-9
  2. "Në ditëlindjen e 41-të, Eni Koçi me dedikim të veçantë për Gencin: Je gjëja më e mirë që më ka ndodhur ndonjëherë". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2022-07-16. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  3. Warrander, Gail (2008). Kosovo (Bradt Travel Guide). Bradt Travel Guides. p. 41. ISBN   978-1-84162-199-9.
  4. "Genc Prelvukaj, E vërteta e largimit nga Dafina Zeqiri". Info Arkiva. Retrieved January 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "Këngët patriotike që i di çdo shqiptar!". www.anabelmagazine.com. 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  6. "Ndalohet kënga 'Albanian' në Mal të Zi, vjen reagimi i reperëve kosovarë (Video)". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  7. ""Albanian" dhe "Jam shqiptare" ndalohen në Mal të Zi". Koha Ditore . 26 January 2018.
  8. "Milot Hasangjekaj prish punët me Genc Prelvukaj?". Arbresh.info. 2018-01-07. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  9. "Publikohet kënga e Genc Prelvukaj, qenka hit! – Indeksonline.net". indeksonline.net. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  10. "Kështu dukeshin djemtë e grupit Etnon, Hija e Jetës dhe Ritmi i Rrugës, 21 vjet më parë". Revista Kosovarja (in Albanian). 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  11. "Genc Prelvukaj tregon ku mund t'i gjeni këngët e vjetra të Etnon – Indeksonline.net". indeksonline.net. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  12. 1 2 3 "Genc Prelvukaj". Top Awards | Top Channel. 2019-06-14. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  13. Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J. (2018-12-01). Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   978-0-313-35759-6.
  14. "Etno Engjujt nderrojne emrin, tani thjesht Etnon". Info Arkiva. July 17, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. "Genc Prelvukaj reagon pasi u bë baba i një vajze: I dhamë një emër në shqip, Adea - që për ne janë katër shkronja floriri". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  16. V.R (2015-11-30). "30 Nëntori data më e rëndësishme e Genc Prelvukajt". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  17. 1 2 "Genc Prelvukaj lanson videoklipin e këngës "Dimër"". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  18. "Genc Prelvukaj konfirmon dorëheqjen nga politika". Info Arkiva. July 20, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. V.R (2015-07-20). "Genc Prelvukaj konfirmon dorëheqjen". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  20. "Miloti sjell projektin e ri ndaras Genc Prelvukajt". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  21. ""Gajlet" bëjnë bashkë Genën dhe Bigem (Foto)". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2017-11-21. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  22. "Bigem lanson këngën "Ani ani"". Koha Ditore . 19 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  23. "Miloti i Etnon bëhet baba për herë të dytë". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  24. "Kjo është jeta e re e Milot Hasangjekaj". Revista Kosovarja (in Albanian). 2022-09-04. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  25. "Gramafon :: Biografia". www.teksteshqip.com. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  26. "Black Fish Entertainment :: Biografia". www.teksteshqip.com. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  27. "Top Awards shpërfill shijen e shqiptarëve? Nuk nominon hitin "Shake it" nga Genta dhe Etnon". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  28. "Menaxheri i Genta Ismajlit: Top Awards ka konflikt personal. Përgjigjet Ledion Liço..." www.anabelmagazine.com. 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2023-05-17.