Wikipedia

Etnon

Etnon (formerly Etno Engjujt)[1] were an ethnic Albanian Hop-Hop duo from Pristina, Kosovo formed in 1997. The group consisted of Genc Prelvukaj (born July 17, 1981)[2] and Milot Hasangjekaj, known respectively as Gentz and Mc`M.[3][1]

Etnon
Also known asEtno Engjujt
OriginPristina, Kosovo
Years active1997– 2018
LabelsBlack Fish Entertainment
MembersGenc Prelvukaj
Milot Hasangjekaj

Etnon had been known for their fusion of ethnic Albanian music with rhythm of modern hip-hop. The group managed to be among the most popular acts during post-war years because of the appeal of their heavy nationalism. Their song "Albanian" from their fourth album Vitamin E was their most influential song, and has left traces in the Albanian music scene.[4][5] The nationalism shown in music video for the song caused it to be banned from airing in Montenegro.[6][7] Etnon produced seven albums over their 21 years of activity. The group is no longer active, as the members split in 2018.[8] Prelvukaj stayed within the music industry as the CEO of Black Fish Entertainment and has found success in his solo career.[9] Hasangjekaj is no longer active in the industry entirely after his solo act from 2017-2021 known as BigEm.[10] In 2019, after the group's dissolve, many of Etnon's songs were published by Prelvukaj onto Spotify, Deezer, and iTunes via compilations.[11]

Etnon often cooperated with other Albanian singers, such as Mad Lion, Don Arbas, Lyrical Son, Tingulli 3nt, Genta Ismajli, and Arta Bajrami.[12]

Musical style edit

Etnon's style was generally a fusion of west-coast style Hip-Hop with ethnic Albanian music. Their earlier work covered topics of Albanian ethnic pride and nationalism, as well as other political topics.[13] However, in 2009, the band transitioned to partying and other lighter topics as their main subject matter. This change in subject matter also triggered a change in name for the group, becoming Etnon in place of Etno Engjujt (translating to Ethnic Angels), which the members believed was unnecessarily nationalist for the new style.[14]

Members edit

The group consisted of Genc Prelvukaj, known as Gentz, and Milot Hasangjekaj, known as Mc'M, and later BigEm. Generally, Prelvukaj produced and wrote for the group during its activity. Prelvukaj has been married to singer and songwriter Eni Koçi since 2019 and has a daughter named Adea and a son named Gjini.[15][16] Prelvukaj also makes his own music under his own name independently from Etnon.[17] He was a political advisor in Pristina from 2010 to 2015.[18][12][19] Hasangjekaj became somewhat independent from the duo in 2017, to be known independently as BigEm, with some songs still being produced by Prelvukaj.[20][21][22] His second child was born in 2017.[23] The birth of his children and his marriage have led him to focus more on his personal life, staying away from the music industry as of September 2022.[24]

Black Fish Entertainment edit

Genc Prelvukaj founded the production company and record label Black Fish Entertainment, originally Gramafon entertainment.[12][25] Etnon's later music was published under the label, and Prelvukaj is the CEO of the company.[26] The company also produces the music videos for the artists it publishes.[17] Prelvukaj and the record label have been highly critical of Top Awards for their lack of a nomination for the song "Shake It", a collaboration between Etnon and Genta Ismajli, among other highly successful songs of 2016.[27] This served as a criticism toward Top Awards and their knowledge of the Albanian music industry as a whole and brought into question bias in their awarding.[28]

Discography edit

  • Dua Të Jetoj Më Mirë (1999)
  • The Dynasty (2001)
  • Etno Engjujt (2003)
  • Vitamin E (2005)
  • 10she (2007)
  • Ethnomenon (2009)
  • 7th Chapter (2012)

References edit

  1. ^ a b Biography on teksteshqip.com. Retrieved 2023-1-9
  2. ^ "Në ditëlindjen e 41-të, Eni Koçi me dedikim të veçantë për Gencin: Je gjëja më e mirë që më ka ndodhur ndonjëherë". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2022-07-16. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  3. ^ Warrander, Gail (2008). Kosovo (Bradt Travel Guide). Bradt Travel Guides. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-84162-199-9.
  4. ^ "Genc Prelvukaj, E vërteta e largimit nga Dafina Zeqiri". Info Arkiva. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "Këngët patriotike që i di çdo shqiptar!". www.anabelmagazine.com. 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  6. ^ "Ndalohet kënga 'Albanian' në Mal të Zi, vjen reagimi i reperëve kosovarë (Video)". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  7. ^ ""Albanian" dhe "Jam shqiptare" ndalohen në Mal të Zi". Koha Ditore. 26 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Milot Hasangjekaj prish punët me Genc Prelvukaj?". Arbresh.info. 2018-01-07. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  9. ^ "Publikohet kënga e Genc Prelvukaj, qenka hit! – Indeksonline.net". indeksonline.net. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  10. ^ "Kështu dukeshin djemtë e grupit Etnon, Hija e Jetës dhe Ritmi i Rrugës, 21 vjet më parë". Revista Kosovarja (in Albanian). 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  11. ^ "Genc Prelvukaj tregon ku mund t'i gjeni këngët e vjetra të Etnon – Indeksonline.net". indeksonline.net. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  12. ^ a b c "Genc Prelvukaj". Top Awards | Top Channel. 2019-06-14. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  13. ^ Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J. (2018-12-01). Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-35759-6.
  14. ^ "Etno Engjujt nderrojne emrin, tani thjesht Etnon". Info Arkiva. July 17, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Genc Prelvukaj reagon pasi u bë baba i një vajze: I dhamë një emër në shqip, Adea - që për ne janë katër shkronja floriri". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  16. ^ V.R (2015-11-30). "30 Nëntori data më e rëndësishme e Genc Prelvukajt". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  17. ^ a b "Genc Prelvukaj lanson videoklipin e këngës "Dimër"". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  18. ^ "Genc Prelvukaj konfirmon dorëheqjen nga politika". Info Arkiva. July 20, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  19. ^ V.R (2015-07-20). "Genc Prelvukaj konfirmon dorëheqjen". Klan Kosova (in Albanian). Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  20. ^ "Miloti sjell projektin e ri ndaras Genc Prelvukajt". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  21. ^ ""Gajlet" bëjnë bashkë Genën dhe Bigem (Foto)". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2017-11-21. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  22. ^ "Bigem lanson këngën "Ani ani"". Koha Ditore. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Miloti i Etnon bëhet baba për herë të dytë". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  24. ^ "Kjo është jeta e re e Milot Hasangjekaj". Revista Kosovarja (in Albanian). 2022-09-04. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  25. ^ "Gramafon :: Biografia". www.teksteshqip.com. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  26. ^ "Black Fish Entertainment :: Biografia". www.teksteshqip.com. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  27. ^ "Top Awards shpërfill shijen e shqiptarëve? Nuk nominon hitin "Shake it" nga Genta dhe Etnon". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  28. ^ "Menaxheri i Genta Ismajlit: Top Awards ka konflikt personal. Përgjigjet Ledion Liço..." www.anabelmagazine.com. 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2023-05-17.

External links edit

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