Samanta Karavella (Albanian:[saˈmantakaɾaˈvɛɫa]; born 9 July 1990) is an Albanian singer and songwriter.
Life and career
1990–2012: Early life and career beginnings
Samanta Karavella was born on 9 July 1990 into an Albanian family in the city of Tirana, then part of the People's Republic of Albania.[1][2] Showing an interest in music from a very young age, Karavella began dedicating herself to music when she was 13 as she auditioned for the Albanian talent show Ethet e së premtes mbrëma.[1] At age 16, she had a cameo role in the film Gjoleka.[3] She pursued her early career by competing in various music events on several occasions, including at Festivali i Këngës and Kënga Magjike.[1] In December 2011, Karavella attempted to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, following her participation in the 50th edition of Festivali i Këngës with the song "Zgjomë një tjetër ëndërr", in which she finished in fourth place.[4][5]
2013–present: Mama and continued success
In 2013, Karavella emerged as the winner of the 10th edition of Top Fest with the song "Loti i fundit".[6] Starting with the release of "Ti s'e din se" in July 2014, it received a nomination at the 2015 Netët e Klipit Shqiptar gala in Ulcinj, Montenegro.[7] In December 2017, she successfully returned to Kënga Magjike for its 19th edition with the song "Humbur".[8] Finishing in fourth place, Karavella also received the Best Ballad Award at the contest.[9][10] In January 2019, she released "Vonë", a collaboration with Kosovo-Albanian musician Elinel, which incorporated R&B and hip hop elements into its sound.[11] In the course of 2020, "Pse" and "NKN" featuring Kosovo-Albanian singer, peaked at numbers 19 and 34 in her native country, respectively.[12][13] Released in May 2021, Karavella's follow-up single "Emnin tem" reached number seven in Albania.[14][15] Starting with the release of "Mala" in July, the single's official remix, "Mala (naBBoo RMX)", received airplay in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and was licensed by the Russian subsidiary of Warner Music in December 2021.[16][17]
Karavella's debut studio album, Mama, is currently under development.[18][19] Released as its lead single, "Mama" reached its peak at number 19 on the native top 100 chart in November 2021, and was followed by the album's second single, "Jeta ime", a month later.[18][20][21]
In 2023, she was selected to compete in the Festivali i Këngës 62 with the song "N'Majë".[22] However, she later withdrew from the competition.[23]
Artistry
Karavella's music style is often regarded as electric with various other styles of musical influences such as ethnic pop and R&B.[24]
Discography
Albums
Mama
Singles
As lead artist
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
For "Na e dina":"The Top List – 17/07/2016" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 17 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "Si ai":"The Top List – 30/10/2016" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 30 October 2016. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "Bashk'":"The Top List – 28/05/2017" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "Zemrën maje":"The Top List – 30/07/2017" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
For "Kush jam":"The Top List – 29/07/2018" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 29 July 2018. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "E jotja":"The Top List – 23/09/2018" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 23 September 2018. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "Vonë":"The Top List – 27/01/2019" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 27 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "Ku ma le":"The Top List – 28/04/2019" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 28 April 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "Pse":"The Top List – 23/02/2020" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 23 February 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "NKN":"The Top List – 19/07/2020" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
For "Emnin tem":"The Top List – 29/05/2021" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
For "Mala":"The Top List – 26/06/2021" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
For "Cha Cha Cha":"The Top List – 26/06/2021" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
For "Mala (naBBoo RMX)":"The Top List – 31/07/2021" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 31 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
For "Mama":"The Top List – 27/11/2021" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 27 November 2021. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
For "Jeta ime":"The Top List – 25/12/2021" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 25 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
For "Vaj":"The Top List – 05/03/2022" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
