Arilena Ara Explained

Arilena Ara
Birth Date:17 July 1998
Birth Place:Shkodër, Albania
Occupation:Singer, television presenter
Years Active:2010present

Arilena Ara (in Albanian aɾiˈlɛna ˈaɾa/; born 17 July 1998) is an Albanian singer and television presenter. Ara rose to national recognition in Albania, upon her victory at X Factor Albania in 2013. After her participation in the 18th edition of the music contest Albanian: [[Kënga Magjike]]|italics=no, her song "Albanian: [[Nëntori]]|italics=no" found significant success in Romania and Eastern Europe, peaking at number-one in the Romanian Airplay chart. Following her forthcoming success at the 58th edition of the music contest Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës]]|italics=no in 2019, she was designated as the Albanian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, before the contest's cancellation.

Life and career

1998–2018: Early life and career beginnings

Arilena Ara was born on 17 July 1998 into an Albanian family in the city of Shkodër, Albania.[1] [2] Ara performed in various dancing and singing competitions as a child, including at the children's talent show Albanian: Gjeniu i Vogël|italics=yes finishing in third place.[3] She won the second series of the talent show X Factor Albania on 31 March 2013.[4] Her first single, "Albanian: Aeroplan|italics=no", was released in February 2014.[5] Finishing in third place, Ara participated in the 18th edition of the music contest Albanian: [[Kënga Magjike]]|italics=no with the song "Albanian: [[Nëntori]]|italics=no" in November 2016.[6] [7] The song subsequently experienced commercial success abroad, peaking at number one on the Romanian Radio and TV Airplay rankings as well as reaching number 3 in Bulgaria and number 38 in Hungary.[8] [9] [10] [11] In early 2017, the song's remixes, including "Albanian: Nëntori|italics=no (Bess Remix)" and "Albanian: Nëntori|italics=no (Beverly Pills Remix)", further reached the top 20 in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).[12] [13] In the course of 2017, Ara performed at the Europa Plus Festival in Moscow, Russia, and won the award for the song of the year at the Astana Dausy Music Awards in Astana, Kazakhstan.[14]

2019–present: Pop Art and continued success

As of 2019, Ara has been a juror for the third series of the singing show The Voice Kids Albania.[15] After winning the 58th edition of the music contest Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës]]|italics=no with the song "Albanian: [[Shaj (song)|Shaj]]|italics=no" in late December 2019, Albanian: [[Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]] |italics=no (RTSH) designated Ara as the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.[16] [17] [18] In February 2020, following several months spent in Los Angeles, the singer announced that she had started working on her debut studio album.[19] [20] In March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) cancelled the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.[21] After a short hiatus, she was featured on Albanian singer Alban Skënderaj's "A i sheh" in December 2020, which peaked at number 29 in Albania.[22]

Ara released her debut studio album, Pop Art The Album, on 6 November 2021.[23] Prior to its release, four singles, "Murderer", "Aligator", "Thirr Policinë" and "Ke me mungu", were released from the record. Containing R&B and hip hop music, "Murderer" featuring Albanian rapper Noizy was released as the record's lead single in July 2021.[24] [25] Its second single, "Aligator", followed on 9 August 2021 and peaked at number five in Albania.[26] [27] [28] For the record's third single titled, "Thirr Policinë", the singer collaborated with Kosovo-Albanian musician Dafina Zeqiri and reached number six in Albania.[29] [30] Ara scored her first number-one single with "Ke me mungu" in October 2021.[31] In April 2022, she debuted as a television presenter, hosting the investigative show Albanian: Piranjat|italics=yes.[32]

Artistry

Ara names Michael Jackson as her major musical and artistic influence.[33]

Discography

Albums

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak
chart positions
Album

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]
"Aeroplan"2014rowspan="3" rowspan="13"
"Business Class"
"Vegim"2015
"Toke Rroke"2016
"Nëntori"38 1
"I'm Sorry"2017
"Snow in December"14
"Silver and Gold"
"Zemër"
"I'll Give You My Heart"2018
"Doja"
2019
"Shaj"
"Fall from the Sky"2020
"Murderer"
2021Pop Art The Album
"Aligator"5
"Thirr Policinë"
6
"Ke me mungu"1
"Dashuria ime"2022
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak
chart positions
Album
ALB
[39]

[40]
"Nallane 3"
2017rowspan="3"
"Last train to Paris"
201832 1
"A i sheh"
202029
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak
chart
positions
Album
ALB
[41]
"E gjallë"20212Pop Art The Album
"Dance Me"
10
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Arilena AraBiografia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201228131903/https://www.teksteshqip.com/arilena-ara/biografia . 28 December 2020 . 28 December 2020 . Tekste Shqip . sq.
  2. Web site: Arilena Ara #Bio . 28 February 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201025172343/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/artist/arilena-ara/ . 25 October 2020 . 28 December 2020 . . sq.
  3. Web site: Arilena Ara, Gati për këtë Udhëtim të ri në 'The Voice Kids' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210530165941/http://thevoice.top-channel.tv/index.php/arilena-ara-e-lumtur-dhe-plot-energji-per-kete-udhetim-te-ri-ne-the-voice-kids/ . 30 May 2021 . 2 January 2020 . Top Channel . sq.
  4. Web site: 1 April 2014 . Arilena Ara shpallet fituese e X-Factor Albania . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200102164219/https://www.botasot.info/mediale-vip/218067/arilena-ara-shpallet-fituese-e-x-factor-albania/ . 2 January 2020 . 2 January 2020 . . sq.
  5. Web site: 27 February 2014 . Arilena vjen si 'Aeroplan' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170902201348/http://telegrafi.com/arilena-vjen-si-aeroplan/ . 2 September 2017 . 2 January 2020 . . sq.
  6. Web site: 11 December 2016 . 'Ma thuaj ti' fiton 'Këngën Magjike' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201225131952/https://tvklan.al/rozana-radi-fiton-kenga-magjike-2016/ . 25 December 2020 . 31 December 2019 . Televizioni Klan (TV Klan) . sq.
  7. Web site: Alimemaj . Jola . 26 November 2016 . Arilena: E dua sfidën, me të do të arrijë suksesin e merituar . live . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220130/http://shekulli.com.al/arilena-e-dua-sfiden-me-te-do-te-arrije-suksesin-e-merituar/ . 30 January 2022 . 31 December 2019 . . sq.
  8. Web site: 17 July 2017 . Media ForestWeekly Charts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220617164514/http://mediaforest.ro/weeklycharts/HistoryWeeklyCharts.aspx?year=2017&week=29 . 17 June 2022 . 17 June 2022 . Media Forest. Note: Select 'Songs – Radio'. Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  9. Web site: 21 August 2017 . Media ForestWeekly Charts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142827/http://mediaforest.ro/weeklycharts/HistoryWeeklyCharts.aspx?year=2017&week=34 . 12 June 2018 . 17 June 2022 . Media Forest. Note: Select 'Songs – TV'. Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  10. Web site: 21 July 2017 . International Top 10: 21.07.201727.07.2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416151324/https://www.prophon.org/en/charts/21-jul-2017 . 16 April 2022 . 16 April 2022 . Prophon.
  11. Web site: 14 August 2018 . Single Top 40 slágerlista . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220125193110/https://slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2020/34 . 25 January 2022 . 17 June 2022 . Association of Hungarian Record Companies (MAHASZ) . hu.
  12. Web site: Nentori (Bess Remix)Arilena Ara . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220125195803/https://tophit.ru/en/tracks/78841/ . 25 January 2022 . 25 January 2022 . Tophit. Note: The 'Peak Position On Top Radio Hits' column is to be taken into consideration.
  13. Web site: Nentori (Beverly Pills Remix)Arilena Ara . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220125195959/https://tophit.ru/en/tracks/79304/ . 25 January 2022 . 25 January 2022 . Tophit. Note: The 'Peak Position On Top Radio Hits' column is to be taken into consideration.
  14. Web site: 23 July 2017 . Как звезды готовятся к Europa Plus Live 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190904134718/http://www.europaplus.ru/index.php?go=News&in=view&id=30103 . 4 September 2019 . 31 December 2019 . . ru.
  15. Web site: Trajnerët janë gati për rrugëtimin e ri të 'The Voice Kids' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200217053417/https://thevoice.top-channel.tv/index.php/trajneret-jane-gati-per-rrugetimin-e-ri-te-the-voice-kids/ . 17 February 2020 . 17 June 2022 . Top Channel . sq.
  16. Web site: 23 December 2019 . Arilena Ara me 'Shaj' fiton Fest 58 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141506/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/arilena-ara-me-shaj-fiton-fest-58/ . 28 October 2020 . 29 December 2019 . Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . sq.
  17. Web site: 23 December 2019 . It's Arilena Ara for Albania!Eurovision Song Contest . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211112170219/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-national-selection-festivali-i-kenges-2020 . 12 November 2021 . 25 January 2022 . European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
  18. Web site: 23 December 2019 . Festivali i 58-të i Këngës, Arilena Ara do të përfaqësojë Shqipërinë në Eurovizion . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230225641/https://euronews.al/al/arte/2019/12/23/festivali-i-58-te-i-kenges-arilena-ara-do-te-perfaqesoje-shqiperine-ne-eurovizion/ . 30 December 2021 . 4 January 2020 . . sq.
  19. Web site: 18 February 2020 . Arilena Ara do ta këndojë në anglisht këngën e saj në 'Eurovision 2020' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230225635/https://telegrafi.com/arilena-ara-ta-kendoje-ne-anglisht-kengen-e-saj-ne-eurovision-2020/ . 30 December 2021 . 27 February 2020 . Telegrafi . sq.
  20. Web site: Ryan . Tom . 23 February 2020 . 'Shaj' will be in English at Eurovision . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230225634/https://escxtra.com/2020/02/23/shaj-english-eurovision/ . 30 December 2021 . 27 February 2020 . ESCXtra.
  21. Web site: 18 March 2020 . Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam is cancelled . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200408073040/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2020-in-rotterdam-is-cancelled . 8 April 2020 . 29 December 2020 . European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
  22. Web site: Vautrey . Jonathan . 13 December 2020 . New music this week: 21 songs from Arilena Ara, Damir Kedžo, Isaiah Firebrace and more . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210103190206/https://wiwibloggs.com/2020/12/13/new-music-from-arilena-ara-cleo-can-bonomo-and-more/259337/ . 3 January 2021 . 3 January 2021 . Wiwibloggs.
  23. Web site: 3 July 2021 . Arilena Ara brenda pak ditësh sjell albumin e parë në karrierë . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713111824/https://telegrafi.com/arilena-ara-brenda-pak-ditesh-sjell-albumin-e-pare-ne-karriere/ . 13 July 2021 . 13 July 2021 . Telegrafi . sq.
  24. Web site: 6 July 2021 . "Murderer"Single by Arilena Ara featuring Noizy on Apple Music . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211028085100/https://music.apple.com/xk/album/murderer-single/1575367698 . 28 October 2021 . 15 November 2021 . Apple Music.
  25. Web site: 9 July 2021 . Arilena dhe Noizy publikojnë bashkëpunimin e ri 'Murderer' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115154819/https://telegrafi.com/arilena-dhe-noizy-publikojne-bashkepunimin-e-ri-murderer/ . 15 November 2021 . 15 November 2021 . Telegrafi . sq.
  26. Web site: 9 August 2021 . "Aligator"Single by Arilena Ara on Apple Music . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115155956/https://music.apple.com/xk/album/aligator-single/1580738501 . 15 November 2021 . 15 November 2021 . Apple Music.
  27. Web site: 11 August 2021 . Arilena Ara me koreografi 'të zjarrtë' dhe lëvizje provokuese shfaqet në klipin 'Aligator' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115160429/https://telegrafi.com/arilena-ara-koreografi-te-zjarrte-dhe-levizje-provokuese-shfaqet-ne-klipin-aligator/ . 15 November 2021 . 15 November 2021 . Telegrafi . sq.
  28. Web site: 17 August 2021 . Arilena na kujton Besa Kokëdhimën tek 'Aligator' dhe albumin e saj të parë! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115160901/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/arilena-na-kujton-besa-kokedhimen-tek-aligator-dhe-albumin-e-saj-te-pare/ . 15 November 2021 . 15 November 2021 . . sq.
  29. Web site: 28 August 2021 . "Thirr Policinë"Single by Arilena Ara featuring Dafina Zeqiri on Apple Music . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115160212/https://music.apple.com/xk/album/thirr-policine-single/1583546965 . 15 November 2021 . 15 November 2021 . Apple Music.
  30. Web site: 28 August 2021 . Arilena Ara dhe Dafina Zeqiri publikojnë klipin e 'Thirr Policinë' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210907143459/https://telegrafi.com/arilena-ara-dhe-dafina-zeqiri-publikojne-klipin-e-thirr-policine/ . 7 September 2021 . 7 September 2021 . Telegrafi . sq.
  31. Web site: 24 October 2021 . Çfarë jave, ndryshon çdo gjë në krye! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211124065326/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/cfare-jave-ndryshon-cdo-gje-ne-krye/ . 24 November 2021 . 25 January 2022 . Top Channel . sq.
  32. Web site: 18 April 2022 . Nën moderimin e Arilena Arës dhe Florian Binajt, nis 'Piranjat' në ABC dhe T7: Emisioni ku gjithçka mund të ndodhë dhe askush nuk është më i sigurt . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220617173340/https://abcnews.al/nen-moderimin-e-florian-binajt-dhe-arilena-ares-nis-piranjat-ne-abc-dhe-t7-emisioni-ku-gjithcka-mund-te-ndodhe-dhe-askush-nuk-eshte-me-i-sigurt/ . 17 June 2022 . 17 June 2022 . . sq.
  33. Web site: 25 February 2020 . Arilena pozon pranë yllit të Michael Jacksonit: Frymëzimi im i përhershëm . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200226153002/https://telegrafi.com/arilena-pozon-prane-yllit-te-michael-jacksonit-frymezimi-im-perhershem/ . 26 February 2020 . 26 February 2020 . Telegrafi . sq.
  34. Web site: 6 November 2021 . Pop Art The AlbumAlbum by Arilena Ara on Apple Music . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115154143/https://music.apple.com/xk/album/pop-art-the-album/1594529596 . 15 November 2021 . 15 November 2021 . Apple Music.
  35. Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
    • For "Snow in December":Web site: 7 January 2018 . The Top List7 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201018022831/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/07-01-2018/ . 18 October 2020 . 3 February 2020 . . sq.
    • For "Aligator":Web site: Top Channel . The Top List14 August 2021 . 14 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210814113143/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/14-08-2021/ . 14 August 2021 . sq . 14 August 2021 . live.
    • For "Thirr Policinë":Web site: Top Channel . The Top List11 September 2021 . 11 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210911121053/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/11-09-2021/ . 11 September 2021 . sq . 11 September 2021 . live.
    • For "Ke me mungu":Web site: Top Channel . The Top List23 October 2021 . 23 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211023122210/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/23-10-2021/ . 23 October 2021 . sq . 23 October 2021 . live.
  36. Web site: Arilena AraListen All Songs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230222740/https://tophit.ru/en/artist/Arilena_Ara . 30 December 2021 . 14 August 2021 . Tophit. Note: The 'Peak Position On Top Radio Hits' column is to be taken into consideration.
  37. For peak positions in Hungary:
    • Web site: Single Top 40 slágerlista . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211230222745/https://slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2020/34 . 30 December 2021 . 5 February 2021 . . hu.
  38. For peak positions in Romania:
    • Web site: 17 July 2017 . Media ForestWeekly Charts . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220617164514/http://mediaforest.ro/weeklycharts/HistoryWeeklyCharts.aspx?year=2017&week=29 . 17 June 2022 . 17 June 2022 . Media Forest. Note: Select 'Songs – Radio'. Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  39. For peak positions in Albania:
    • For "Last Train to Paris":Web site: 18 November 2018 . The Top List18 November 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021140638/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/18-11-2018/ . 21 October 2020 . 28 December 2020 . Top Channel . sq.
    • For "A i sheh":Web site: Top Channel . The Top List26 December 2020 . 28 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201228134059/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/6-12-2020/ . 28 December 2020 . sq . 26 December 2020 . live.
  40. For peak positions in Bulgaria:
  41. For peak positions in Albania:
    • For "E gjallë":Web site: 2 April 2022 . The Top List02 April 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220402130909/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/02-03-2022/ . 2 April 2022 . 2 April 2022 . Top Channel . sq.
    • "Dance me":Web site: Top Channel . The Top List26 March 2022 . 26 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220326120122/http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/26-03-2022/ . 26 March 2022 . sq . 26 March 2022 . live.