Esma Redžepova
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| Esma Redžepova | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Born | August 8, 1943 | |
| Origin | Šuto Orizari, Skopje, Macedonia | |
| Genre(s) | World / Roma | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, humanitarian | |
| Instrument(s) | Voice | |
| Years active | 1956 - present | |
| Label(s) | Jugoton | |
| Associated acts |
Stevo Teodosievski, Ansambl Teodosievski | |
| Website | www.esma.com.mk | |
Esma Redžepova is a Roma vocalist, songwriter, and humanitarian born in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. During her life she has performed in more than 8000 concerts in 30 countries, and with her late husband Stevo Teodosievski has fostered forty-seven children.[1] By her own account she has has created more than 500 works.[2] These include 108 singles, 20 albums, and 6 movies.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Early Life and Background
Esma was born on August 8, 1943, in the predominately Roma Šuto Orizari municipality of Skopje, now capital of the Republic of Macedonia. She is the second youngest of six children. Her mother was a Turkish Muslim, while her father was a Serbian born in Tirana, Albania. His grandmother and grandfather were an Iraqi Jew and a Catholic Roma respectively. Her family was relatively (but not abjectly) poor growing up, her father working variously as a porter, singer, drummer, circus strongman and shoe shine. Her parents stressed that all six children finish primary school. At age nine Esma was introduced by one of her brothers to a local Roma music organisation, where she was able to quickly learn complicated rhythms. Her mother encouraged her musical gifts and Esma and her brother soon joined their school's folklore group.[4]
In 1957, age 14, she was personally invited to sing at a school talent contest for Radio Skopje. This concert proved to be a turning point—not only did she place first, beating out 57 other schools and winning 9000 dinars,[5] but national band leader and future husband Stevo Teodosievski also happened to be in attendance. After securing permission from her parents, Esma began touring with his musical ensemble. Legend has it she left home with a single suitcase filled with one dress and one Cocek costume.
In recent years, Esma has remained popular throughout the Balkans. In 2004, she recorded a duet with Eurovision performer Tose Proeski called "Magija".
[edit] Trivia
Her best known single Čaje Šukarije is the feature song on the 2006 Borat movie soundtrack, which she claims was used without her permission. As of December 16th, 2006 together with Naat Veliov from Kočani Orkestar she is planning an 800,000 euro ($1,000,000) lawsuit against the producers of the film.
[edit] References
- ^ Sasa Petejan. Esma Redzepova Teodosievska - second time Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Retrieved on August 2, 2006.
- ^ Esma.com Repertoire. Retrieved on August 2, 2006.
- ^ Snezana Lupevska. "A role model for all: Esma Redzepova". Media Diversity Institute. Retrieved on August 3, 2006.
- ^ Garth Cartwright (2005). Extract from "Princes Amongst Men: Journeys with Gypsy Musicians" (Book). Serpent's Tail. Retrieved on August 2, 2006.
- ^ Esma's Personal Website - Concerts. Retrieved on August 2, 2006.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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