Stanaj

Soulful pop singer and pianist Albert Stanaj embodies a fusion of two cultures, having been born in Albania before growing up in New York City. Early exposure to performance came through childhood roles in Albanian music videos and appearances at festivals throughout the United States and Europe, fostering a natural comfort with audiences. High school marked a shift toward English-language material, shaped by the sounds of Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Maxwell, and Whitney Houston. In 2014 he relocated to California with his brother, who also manages his career, and began building connections in the local scene that drew notice from prominent figures including Drake, whose endorsement expanded Stanaj’s reach across social platforms. Early 2016 brought a signing with Lava Records, followed by recording sessions in England alongside Fraser T. Smith (Adele, Sam Smith) and other producers. The resulting Preview EP presented four tracks, among them “Romantic” and “Ain’t Love Strange.” An opening slot on JoJo’s 2017 tour widened his audience further, coinciding with the release of the EP From a Distance. Two notable collaborations followed in 2018—“Bed of Roses” with Afrojack and “Dirty Mind” with Ty Dolla $ign—while additional singles such as “Sweat (When I Think About You)” appeared the next year.