Thread by @dolphin_dane

FESTIVALI I KËNGËS 63 SONGWRITER DEEP DIVE 🇦🇱🕸️📊
The days are getting darker and FiK-mas is just around the corner! Of the 30 lineup, 22 songs have connections to other entries. Big names, new stars, seasoned songwriters, this has everything. Let's take a look (a thread 🧵)

Ardit Çuni - "Amane"
A newcomer to FiK himself, Ardit is helped by Stivi Ushe, who competed himself last year, with the dramatic ballad "Askush si ty". Also worth noting that in these graphs, songs are labelled by Eurovision year (so one year later than the FiK year)

Mal Retkoceri - "Antihero"
Last year's winner is back, again bringing a self-penned song. Will Mal be able to achieve succes again, and perhaps even the ticket to Basel?

Gresa Gjocera - "E vërteta"
Gresa get's helped from experienced writer Endrit Shani. Fans may remember songs like Gigliola Haveriku's "E lirë", Klinti Çollaku's "Do t'ja dal" or Luna Çausholli's "Jetën ta fal", all penned by him

Lorenc Hasrama - "Frymë"
While Lorenc is new to FiK, he is making a splash for his first appearance, being one of four people to be involved with multiple entries this year. On top of performing "Frymë", he has also written "Zemrës" for Nita Latifi

Jet - "Gjallë"
Already getting a hit through Kënga Magjike this year, Jet is hoping to make that double with "Gjallë". The song was written by power vocalist Inis Neziri ("Piedestal"/"Pendesë") and Elio Shuli, who was involved with Gent Hoxha's "Ajër"

Orgesa Zaimi - "I parë"
No stranger to FiK, Orgesa has performed fan favourite entries like "Ngrije zërin" and "Hije". For the first time, she is working with star songwriting duo Enis Mullaj and Eriona Rushiti, who have written masterpieces like "Duje" and "Zjarri im" together

Endrik Beba - "Ishe ti"
While Endrik has participated in FiK through bands Lynx and Urban Band before, this is his first time as a soloist. Will he be able to break through on his own?

Devis Xherahu - "Ka momente"
16 years after his FiK debut, Devis is back for a fourth time. Will this one bring him succes?

Elvana Gjata - "Karnaval"
No doubt the most anticipated entry of recent FiK memory, "Karnaval" will be Elvana Gjata's third song for the festival. In 2003 she failed to make the final and in 2019 she fell just short of victory. Is this finally her time to take the trophy?

Kejsi Jazxhi - "Kur bota hesht"
Kejsi is making her debut helped by two familiar names. Sardi Strugaj finished second in the 2020 edition. Briz Musaraj has written entries like Orgesa's "Ngrije zërin" and Ronela's attempt at a Sanmarinese comeback, "Salvaje"

Santino de Bartolo - "Kur nata vjen si bora"
Santino is on a streak of Festival appearances, introducing himself to Eurofans at last year's FiK, and making his debut in the Kosovar edition earlier this year. Is third time the charm for him?

Djemtë e Detit - "Larg"
A true comeback, Djemtë e Detit had six entries in the pre-Eurovision FiK during the 90's. Now, despite the loss of their lead singer Gent Demaliaj, they're back. They're helped by Timo Flloko, who wrote Redon Makashi's 2nd place entry "Ekziston" in 2017

Gjergj Kaçinari - "Larg jetës pa ty"
A frequent name in FiK lineup. "Larg jetës pa ty" marks Gjergj's fifth involvement with the festival

Vesa Smolica - "Lutem"
While "Lutem" marks Vesa's debut, this is by no means the case for Eriona. Her songs have frequently sparked enthusiasm in fans, and represented the country on the European stage four times across adult and junior Eurovision

Erma Mici - "Mbaje"
Erma became one of the breakout stars of FiK 61, winning the award for the Best New Artist. This time she is joined by star writers Kledi Bahiti ("Karma") and Rozana Radi, who were involved with Besa's entry last year

Alis Kallacej - "Mjegull"
Alis makes her debut with the help of Alban Kondi, who has been involved with a number of entries over the last 20 years. Many fans will remember Vanesa Sono's "Aroma Jonë", which was written by him

Martina Serreqi - "Nese qaj"
Returning directly from last year, Martina's "Nese qaj" is the second of two songs written by Sardi Strugaj this year

Luna Çausholli - "Qiell apo ferr"
Fans will remember Luna from FiK 61, and the Kosovar edition this year, failing to make the final on both occasions. Will the third time be the charm for her?

Frensi Revania - "Rreziko"
Alban Male has written a number of songs for the festival for artists like Besa Kokëdhima and Kamela Islamaj, but has been absent for more than a decade. Will his comeback bring succes?

Kleansa Susaj - "Ta dija"
Kleansa won over many fans last year with the stunning ballad "Pikturë". Now she's back with the help of Kledi Bahiti, who has alreade helped two songs go to Eurovision this decade. Will "Ta dija" be the third?

Nita Latifi - "Zemrës"
Nita introduced herself to Eurofans with "Marrëzi", in the Kosovar FiK last year. Now she's going for the Albanian edition, with help from her fellow competitor Lorenc Hasrama

Shkodra Elektronike - "Zjerm"
After figuring on fan wish-lists for many years, this interesting duo is finally set to take the FiK stage. This is not their first time being involved however, as they wrote Rezarta Smaja's "E jemja nuse", placing third in 2021

The remaining 8 entries do not have any connections to other entries:
Laorjan Ejlli and Adelina Corraj - A thu
Algert Sala - Bosh
Stine - E kishim nis
Epos - Kurajo dhe Zjarr
Ronaldo Mesuli - N'zemër
Mihallaq Andrea - Porositë e babait
Rea Nuhu - Sot
Olsi Bylyku - Tupanët

And that's all! Hope you enjoyed reading this thread, and found it informative. If you did, make sure to follow me so you don't miss out on similar deep dives I will be making for all other national finals this season. Until then, take care!

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