Last month Eugent Bushpepa delivered an emotional performance which saw him win Festivali i Këngës 56. But this isn’t the first time the “Mall” singer has had experience with a Eurovision song. Earlier in 2017, Eugent performed Rona Nishliu’s 2012 Eurovision song “Suus”. And he nailed it.

The performance was part of the popular Albanian talk show Top Show. Eugent is one of the in-house singers, and regularly delivers covers of well-known songs.

In a January 2017 episode, he was challenged to perform Rona Nishliu’s Eurovision 2012 song “Suus”. He took the challenge, but the question was — could this rock performer deliver the soaring and emotional notes of “Suus”?

E pabesueshme! "Suuuuuusssssssss" se kendon Eugent Bushpepa …

Posted by TOP SHOW on Saturday, January 21, 2017

He could and he did. Bushpepa showed there’s more to his vocal talents than just rock. Much to the delight of the audience, he delivered clear and expressive vocals that did justice to Rona Nishliu’s dramatic song.

There were a few laughs to be had as he channelled some of Nishliu’s mannerisms, but he stayed true to the song.

And when it came to the chorus, with the iconic line “Më ler ni të qaj” (Let me cry), Bushpepa delivered it loud and proud and pitch perfect.

It’s perhaps a good omen for Bushpepa. “Suus” placed fifth at Eurovision 2012 — Albania’s best ever result. It was also one of Albania’s few entries to be sung entirely in Albanian. Bushpepa has said in interviews that it is unlikely his FiK winning song “Mall” will be translated into English for Eurovision, so history could repeat itself.

Albania hasn’t had the best luck at Eurovision in recent years. It has made the grand final only once in the past five years, and songs tend to languish in the semi-finals. Fans have complained of the Festivali i Këngës winning songs being given a lacklustre revamp for Eurovision, killing the original appeal of the song and turning the strong Albanian lyrics into dull English.

But it seems that Eugent Bushpepa’s emotional folk-rock ballad “Mall” will have its FiK spirit left intact when it makes it to Lisbon. It could be just what Albania needs.

READ MORE ALBANIA EUROVISION NEWS

 

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Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

Thanks, Robyn indeed. I found myself rooting for Eugene quite a bit. Maybe it is appreciation of his true vocal talent (so tired of meow-meow singing boys with the range of three notes – great to see the difference), maybe it is me lacking rock in Eurovision- but anyhow I am unexpectedly rooting for Albania in these early days of the Eurovision season

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

Similar feelings here.
LOL @ “meow-meow singing boys with a range of three notes”. 😀
I wonder who specifically you could be referring to?

P.S. It also reminds me of William Lee Adams’ cat, Barnaby. 🙂

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
6 years ago

Effortless. Apparently without any preparation. The biggest chance for a left side of the scoreboard for Albania since… Rona and “Suus”.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Great find, Robyn!
Extremely impressive performance. It actually got stronger as the song went on.

Poseidon
Poseidon
6 years ago

His voice really is incredible.

His song is reasonably good in its full version. I don’t see the top 10 potential in it like I’ve read in some places. The final version will probably cut the song’s intro (one of its better parts) and all that will be left will be the high/long notes. In the end, no one cares about a showcase of singing abilities (Albania would do well to remember Lindita, for example).

SebastienXavier
SebastienXavier
6 years ago

I love him.

Darius
Darius
6 years ago

He’s good, great vocal range! But his song “Mall” is not quite a masterpiece. If he’ll pass the semifinal it’ll be due to his flawless singing, but the song is not a memorable one….

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Top E-Flat in full voice – I was 19 years old when I last did that properly. (I’d have to falsetto it now.)
Eugent, what are you taking? 😀

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Great Eugent!!

ImFromRomania
ImFromRomania
6 years ago

Perfect live performance , in my opinion :).

Steven
Steven
6 years ago

That was insane!!! When it first started I thought it was actually Rona. How did he even get all that power in his higher register??? TEACH ME.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Wow, I’m honestly impressed!

tygww
tygww
6 years ago

Amazing!

ZMG
ZMG
6 years ago

God he is such a good singer!