Invited to the "Live from Tirana" show on Top Albania Radio, Albina Kelmendi publicly explained her much-discussed reaction to a video of Egli performing the song "Mora fështe" in a nightclub.
If you don't know, Albina reacted to a video of Egli's performance, accompanied by a strong caption from the person who shared the video, saying that the song was being "bastardized by someone performing it in their underwear." Albina Kelmendi's comment on the video was "I hope it's just a montage."
After the heated debate online, Albina reacted with a detailed explanation on Instagram, where she wrote:
"I'm sorry for those who misunderstood my reaction.
Instead of listening to what I'm saying, you keep on dressing up and being prejudiced!
Turn up the volume on the video and you'll understand what I meant.
The page where I saw this video was critical of the outfit and I was already reacting to what I heard, so I wrote 'I hope it's just a montage'.
And yes, if you want my opinion on this topic, I say very clearly that that outfit does not fit the character of the songs being performed at all!
In a telephone conversation with Top Albania Radio, Albina further clarified her position:
"I say this with great respect that it is unbecoming of an artist to behave in this way. I did not choose for this coincidence to happen to Egli Tako. I am very sorry, this is what happened. I am not talking about him as a person, but I am talking about the action that took place publicly."
Emphasizing the performance itself and the symbolism of the song "Mora fështe", Albina added:
"Listening to the song 'Mora ha?le' with the voice of Shkurte Fejza and a singer who comes on stage and only moves his lips, pretending to sing, is a shame, especially when it comes to a song about a hero of Kosovo. The attention goes to the 'playback' and the exaggerated presentation."
Her reaction, according to Albina, was not for fame or to create debate, but to defend a value:
"My social networks were overflowing. If you think I'm seeking fame through this and some fans' idols were touched, I believe I have proven that I am not part of these empty discussions. I am not interested in dramas, but when every line is crossed and when a song with such weight is violated, of course I cannot remain silent. We must also respect those artists who have sung in times of war, with soul, with tears and with danger on their heads. For me, this part is not normal."
To close, she gave a message about the use of playback in songs with national sensitivity:
"Playback in general is not normal. There are artists who have chosen it and the public loves it. It is not normal for a song about a hero of Kosovo to be turned into a show to get a few clicks and fill the concert minutes."
