Why Albanian Artists Are Having a Moment On the Charts

Singer-songwriter Njomza, a co-writer of Ariana Grande’s Hot 100 No. 1s “Thank U, Next” and “7 Rings,” is another artist with Albanian heritage scoring chart success. Born in Germany and raised in Chicago, she says Albania’s transition from Communist rule to a democracy in the early 1990s fueled her generation’s creative breakthrough. “If there is something driving this, it’s the ambition we have as a nation,” she says. “The drive to create a better life.” Says Max: “My mom always told me we’re the way we are because we’re Albanian. We’re a bit crazy, and we never give up. It’s in our blood.”

Njomza says the country’s popular formats are EDM, pop and rock -- EDM a relatively new development after it was banned under Communist control until the start of the ’90s. “Not only [are Albanian] artists doing well [stateside], but there’s a great community of artists there,” like rappers Lyrical Son and Capital T, and singer Dafina Zeqiri, all of whom play throughout Europe. Adds Njomza: ”It’s a country that’s progressing.”

This article originally appeared in the April 20 issue of Billboard.