SINGERS from Kosovo

Top 4

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Kosovar Singers of all time. This list of famous Kosovar Singers is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity.

1. Nexhmije Pagarusha (1933 - 2020)

With an HPI of 60.61, Nexhmije Pagarusha is the most famous Kosovar Singer.  Her biography has been translated into 27 different languages on wikipedia.

Nexhmije Pagarusha[a] (Albanian pronunciation: [neˈd͡ʒmijɛ pagaˈɾuʃa]; 7 May 1933 – 7 February 2020) was a Kosovar singer and actress, often referred to as the Queen of Albanian music. Pagarusha gained acclaim as a recording artist in Kosova and neighbouring countries for her distinct soprano vocal range, which she displayed performing various Kosovan folk songs during her career, which spanned 36 years, from 1948, in her debut in Radio Prishtina, to 1984, in her final concert in Sarajevo. Her music style was not limited just to Albanian music, as she performed rock, pop, funk, opera/classical, and many more.

2. Rita Ora (b. 1990)

With an HPI of 51.65, Rita Ora is the 2nd most famous Kosovar Singer.  Her biography has been translated into 74 different languages.

Rita Sahatçiu Ora (Albanian: [ˈɾita sahatˈtʃiu ˈɔɾa]; born Rita Sahatçiu; 26 November 1990) is a British singer-songwriter, television personality, and actress. Born in Pristina, modern-day Kosovo, she rose to prominence when she featured on DJ Fresh's 2012 single, "Hot Right Now", which peaked atop the UK singles chart. In 2008, she signed with American rapper Jay-Z's label Roc Nation and released her debut studio album, Ora (2012), which debuted atop the UK Albums Chart and spawned the UK number-one singles "R.I.P." and "How We Do (Party)". In 2014, Ora featured on Australian rapper Iggy Azalea's single, "Black Widow", which peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. The following year, she was named an honorary ambassador of Kosovo. After parting ways with Roc Nation, Ora signed with Atlantic Records to release her second studio album, Phoenix (2018). The album spawned the moderate hit singles "Your Song", "Anywhere" and "Let You Love Me"; the latter made Ora the first British female solo artist to have thirteen top-ten songs in the UK. Her third studio album, You & I (2023), debuted at number six in the UK. Aside from her recording career, Ora has served as a judge on television talent shows, including The X Factor UK (2015), The Masked Singer UK (2020–2024), and The Masked Singer US (2024–present), as well as a coach on The Voice UK (2015) and The Voice Australia (2021–2023). As an actress, she played Mia Grey in the Fifty Shades film series (2015, 2017, 2018).

3. Era Istrefi (b. 1994)

With an HPI of 48.91, Era Istrefi is the 3rd most famous Kosovar Singer.  Her biography has been translated into 40 different languages.

Era Istrefi (; Albanian: [ˈɛɾa isˈtɾɛfi]; born 4 July 1994) is a Kosovar singer. Born and raised in Pristina, she rose to international recognition with the breakthrough single "BonBon", which experienced commercial success worldwide and received various certifications. She later signed contracts with record labels Sony Music and Ultra Music. In 2018, Istrefi performed the official song for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, alongside Nicky Jam and Will Smith, at the closing ceremony of the grand final in Moscow. Her discography includes works in Albanian and English, among others "Shumë Pis", "Redrum", "Nuk E Di" and "Live It Up". Istrefi has received a number of awards and nominations, including the European Border Breakers Award and Top Music Award.

4. Nora Istrefi (b. 1986)

With an HPI of 40.07, Nora Istrefi is the 4th most famous Kosovar Singer.  Her biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Nora Istrefi (born 25 March 1986) is a Kosovar singer.