Era Istrefi

Albanian-Kosovar pop singer and songwriter Era Istrefi first gained worldwide attention in 2015 via her Top 40 single “BonBon,” then expanded her reach further in 2018 as a featured voice on the official FIFA World Cup anthem “Live It Up.”

Istrefi entered the world in Pristina while it still belonged to the former Yugoslavia. She stepped onto the music scene in 2013 under the shortened name Era, issuing the single “Mani Per Money.” The song fused pop and reggae elements reminiscent of Rihanna and Sia, finding success across Albania and Kosovo; the same markets embraced her 2014 follow-up “E Dehun.” In 2015 she unveiled “Njo Si Ti,” which climbed into Belgium’s Top 40, and closed the year with the dance-pop cut “BonBon.” That track quickly turned into a global viral sensation, appearing on charts throughout Europe plus Australia and the United States. Once it surpassed 96 million views, Ultra Records signed her and issued an international version of “BonBon” in 2016. The following year brought “Redrum,” produced by Felix Snow, along with “No I Love Yous,” a collaboration featuring Moroccan MC French Montana. By 2018 she had joined Nicky Jam and Will Smith on the World Cup anthem “Live It Up.”