Young Zerka

Young Zerka
Birth nameDonald Najtellari
Born1 May
Korçë, Albania
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2007–present

Donald Najtellari (Albanian: [dɔ'nald 'najtɛɫaɾi]; born 1 May), known professionally as Young Zerka, is an Albanian singer and songwriter. Born in Korçë and raised in London, Najtellari grew up in a Jamaican household and began singing and writing music as a teenager. He later relocated to Albania and eventually rose to significant prominence in the Albanian-speaking Balkans. His musical career is marked by fusing elements of reggae and pop as well as his distinctive vocal and writing style.

Life and career

Najtellari was born on 1 May into an Albanian family in the city of Korçë, Albania.[1][2] At an early age, Najtellari emigrated to England settling in the city of London.[2][3][4] He was raised in a Jamaican household, which according to him, had a particular influence on his artistic formation.[2][5] In both 2008 and 2009, Najtellari appeared on the music competition Top Fest with the songs "Sfera" and "Shpirt i plakur", respectively.[6] In 2014, he was featured on Kosovo-Albanian singer Dhurata Dora's "Roll" and "A Bombi", as well as on Albanian singer Alban Skënderaj's "24 orë".[1] In December 2014, he collaborated with Albanian singer Aurela Gaçe on the single "Pa kontroll", with whom they eventually won the 16th edition of the annual music competition Kënga Magjike.[7] His success continued in May 2015 with the release of the follow-up single "Boom Boom", which reached number 11 in Albania.[8]

Following the 2022 release of his original song, "Nafije", produced by popular artist and producer Alandy, on January 12, 2023, a remix was introduced to the public.[9] The collaboration between Young Zerka, DJ Geek, Dafina Zeqiri, and MC Kresha peaked charts in Albania at #2 on Top Music Awards.[10] Young Zerka, along with Alandy, appeared on Albania's top performing television show hosted by Luana Vjollca, Zemër Luana, for a debut television performance of the original "Nafije".[11][12]

Artistry

Najtellari's musical style has generally been regarded as reggae and pop.[1][5] His musical inspiration varies from reagge musicians such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh to pop artists as for instance Michael Jackson.[2][5]

Discography

Extended play

  • High Five (2020)

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak
chart
positions 		Album
ALB
[13]
"Boom Boom"[14] 2015 11 Non-album singles
"Like Rihanna"[15] 2016 13
"Love" 2
"Syni i jemi"[16]
(with Ronela Hajati) 		—
"Harem"[17] 32
"A ma fal" 2017 —
"Anna"[18] 2018 —
"Nuk ma nin" 53
"Lule bore"
(with Jumpa) 		2019 2
"Ting Ting" 11
"Yalla" 8
"Nesër"
(with Anila Mimani) 		5
"Money"
(with Eri Dee) 		42
"Y.O.U."
(with Niza) 		—
"Whine for me"
(with Niza) 		—
"Let me thru"
(with Niza) 		48
"Pa gajle"[19]
(with Fifi) 		2020 34
"Pishman"[20]
(featuring Argjentina Ramosaj) 		27
"Konflikt"[21] 23
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak
chart
positions 		Album
ALB
[22]
"Pa Lule"
(Kastro Zizo featuring Young Zerka) 		2013 — Non-album singles
"Roll"
(Dhurata Dora featuring Young Zerka) 		2014
"Hotel"
(Enzo featuring Andrei Vornicu and Young Zerka)
"24 orë"
(Alban Skënderaj featuring Young Zerka)
"A Bombi"
(Dhurata Dora featuring Young Zerka)
"Pa kontroll"
(Aurela Gaçe featuring Young Zerka)
"Papalove"
(Kastro Zizo featuring Young Zerka)
"Habibi"
(Dj Flow featuring Young Zerka) 		2016 —
"Uhh Baby"
(Dj Viper featuring Young Zerka) 		—
"Nona"
(Ledri Vula featuring Young Zerka) 		2017 14
"Belly Dancer"
(Dj Moh Green featuring Faydee and Young Zerka) 		2018 —
"Deja Vu"
(Alban Skënderaj featuring Young Zerka) 		5
"Smile"
(Keepman featuring Young Zerka) 		80
"Kce sonte"
(Dj Dagz and Dj Pm featuring Young Zerka) 		2019 32
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Young Zerka Biografia" (in Albanian). TeksteShqip. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Young Zerka #Bio" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Këngëtarët shqiptarë që jetuan si emigrant" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  4. ^ Hoxha, E. (20 February 2020). "Këngëtari shqiptar e pranon troç: 'Punoja si kamarier, doja të bëhesha futbollist!'" (in Albanian). Iconstyle. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Fenomeni Young Zerka" (in Albanian). Anabel Magazine. 14 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Young Zerka i ftuari i parë i netëve live" (in Albanian). Top Channel. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Aurela Gaçe dhe Young Zerka fitojnë Këngën Magjike" (in Albanian). Televizioni Klan (TV Klan). 14 December 2014. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Publikohet klipi 'Boom boom' i Young Zerka" (in Albanian). Privé. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  9. ^ Dj Geek ft. Young Zerka, Dafina Zeqiri, Mc Kresha - Nafije (Remix), retrieved 27 January 2023
  10. ^ "21/01/2023". Top Awards | Top Channel. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  11. ^ Young Zerka - Luana, Nafije, Dallavere, Sorry ft Alandy Performancë tek "ZEMËR LUANA" - TV KLAN, 23 January 2023, retrieved 27 January 2023
  12. ^ "Rikthimi i bujshëm i Luana Vjollcës: 1 milionë klikime për Zemër Luana! ‣ Neutral". 10 November 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  13. ^ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania:
  14. ^ "Boom Boom – Single by Young Zerka on Apple Music". Apple Music. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Like Rihanna – Single by Young Zerka on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  16. ^ "Syni i jemi – Single by Young Zerka with Ronela Hajati on Apple Music". Apple Music. 3 August 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Harem – Single by Young Zerka on Apple Music". Apple Music. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  18. ^ "Anna – Single by Young Zerka on Apple Music". Apple Music. 26 May 2018. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Pa gajle – Single by Young Zerka with Fifi on Apple Music". Apple Music. 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Pishman – Single by Young Zerka featuring Argjentina Ramosaj on Apple Music". Apple Music. 21 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  21. ^ "Konflikt – Single by Young Zerka on Apple Music". Apple Music. 3 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  22. ^ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania: