| Esma Redžepova Есма Реџепова |
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| Background information | |
| Born | August 8, 1943 Šuto Orizari, Skopje |
| Origin | Macedonia |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, humanitarian |
| Instruments | vocals |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Labels | Monitor Records |
| Associated acts | Stevo Teodosievski Ansambl Teodosievski |
| Website | www.esma.com.mk |
Esma Redžepova (Macedonian: Есма Реџепова) is a Macedonian vocalist, songwriter, and humanitarian. During her life she has performed in more than 9000 concerts in 30 countries, with her late husband Stevo Teodosievski she has fostered forty-seven children, and she has received numerous accolades for her humanitarian work.[1] By her own account she has created more than 500 works of art.[2] These include 108 singles, 20 albums, and 6 movies.[3]
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Redžepova was born on August 8, 1943, in Skopje, Yugoslavia (today Republic of Macedonia). She is the second youngest of six children in a Roma family. Her father worked variously as a porter, singer, drummer, circus strongman and shoeshiner. Her parents stressed that all six children finish primary school. At age nine Esma was introduced by one of her brothers to a local Romani 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 Čoček costume.
In recent years, Esma has remained popular throughout the Balkans. In 2002, she recorded a duet with the famous Macedonian singer Toše Proeski called "Magija" which was included in Toše's album "Ako Me Pogledneš Vo Oči" which was released in October the same year.
Her best known single Čaje Šukarije is the feature song on the 2006 Borat movie soundtrack, which she claims was used without her permission. Together with Naat Veliov from Kočani Orkestar she sued the producers of the film for 800,000 euro (USD 1,000,000). Afterwards, Redžepova won a €26,000 compensation, since it turned out that Cohen got permission from her production house to take the song, which she was not notified about.[6]
The movie Gypsy Caravan (2007) features Esma as one of five Romani music acts on their tour through the USA.
The film Rromani Soul (2008), directed by Louis Mouchet, features Esma as the guide of the true origin of Rroma people located in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh by Roma linguist Marcel Courthiade.
She was also nominated for the Nobel Peace prize in 2003, with official support from the President of Macedonia, Boris Trajkovski.
Redžepova has been a member of the Democratic Alternative. After the dissolution of the party, she went over to the conservative party VMRO–DPMNE. During the most recent elections, she became a member of the City Council of Skopje.[7]
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