Melinda Ademi (Albanian: [mɛˈlinda aˈdɛmi]; born 19 November 1995), also known mononymously as Melinda, is a Kosovo-Albanian and American rapper and singer.

Melinda Ademi
Born (1995-11-19) 19 November 1995 (age 29)
Citizenship
  • Kosovo
  • United States
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2015 – present
Musical career
GenresHip Hop, Pop, RnB
InstrumentVocals

Early life

edit

Melinda Ademi was born on 19 November 1995 into an Albanian family in the city of Mitrovica, Kosovo.[1][2] Her family left Kosovo and moved to the United States to Yonkers, New York as refugees due to the persecution of Albanians associated with the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the following Kosovo War.[1][3]

Career

edit

In 2011, she began her career on the talent show American Idol. She returned to the same contest two years later, reaching the semifinals. In 2015, she released her first single "Purr" and the further release of "Lulija" in 2018 gained her recognition in the Albanian-speaking world.

Artistry

edit

Ademi has stated that she is a fan of Albanian singer and songwriter Elvana Gjata.[4]

Discography

edit

Singles

edit

As lead artist

edit
Title Year Peak
chart
positions
Album
ALB
[5]
"Purr" 2015 Non-album single
"Lulija"
(featuring Seven Saraqi)
2018
"Lej"
"Palo" 4
"AMI" 2019 44
"Çifteli" 76
"Pika Pika" 1
"A po don pak" 52
"Karma" 3
"24 Bars" 2020
"Nashta"
"X5"
(with Gjiko)
3
"Mekatare" 2
"Qa din ti" 2021 5
"Ay Caramba"
(featuring Gjiko and Nora Istrefi)
4
"Melodia" 1
"All Night" 2022 7
"A m'ke dasht"
(with Ledri Vula)
10
"Milano"
(with Finem)
1
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Kosovar Youth: Melinda Ademi (Singer, American Idol Contestant)". Serbia Diaspora. 5 August 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Melinda #Bio" (in Albanian). Top Music Awards. 3 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ "15 European Pop Acts You Might Not Know". The New York Times (NY Times). 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Melinda Ademi ç'nuk thotë për të, reagon Elvana Gjata" (in Albanian). Zero Media. 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  5. ^ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania: