We all knew Ronela Hajati was a figurative queen. Now, in the official music video for her song “Sekret”, we see her getting literal as she portrays an ancient Albanian queen with a very storied past. The music video includes her revamped version of the song, which she’ll compete with at Eurovision 2022 in Torino.
The video, which goes heavy on the hair extensions, shows us everything from lovers getting down to Ronela’s man being chained up in a dungeon. But we aren’t talking kink — we’re talking torment. Can she save him in time? Watch the video to see if our girl breathes fire…
Ronela, who had the Festivali i Kenges jury say bye to ballads, has collaborated with well-known producer and songwriter Raoul Lionel Chen, better known as Diztortion. He’s famous for his work with Stylo G, Lethal Bizzle, Tinnie Timpah and more.
The revamped version is mostly in English. But it also contains Albanian portions, which fans adored at FiK, and also some Spanish to celebrate her Spanish fans, who have been super supportive from the very first day Sekret was released. We should point out that Ronela Hajati is also a good Spanish speaker.
For the video of the song, Ronela worked with famous Albanian producer and TV host, Ledion Lico, and stylist Niko Komani. In the video, Ronela portrays an Albanian queen who suffers and fights for love after her secret is revealed. During the video, Albanian actor, Florim Agalliu, joins her as her love interest.
In her recent interviews Ronela has revealed that her Eurovision performance will go in a different direction to her music video and earlier stage show. While she performed in Festivali i Kenges as a warrior, in her video she is the Queen of Albania, so who knows what she will bring in the stage in Turin.
What do you think about the new version of the “Sekret”? Do you think it is going to qualify for the Grand Final?
She has such a stage presence. Live performance will have a different energy. She will rock.
Eh, it sounds worse now? Not that the original wasn’t bad, but this is bad since it’s got three languages, less original sounds and it barely has anything we wouldn’t have heard in 2005.
Idk why people are criticising the revamp so much, it’s just as good as the original.
God, the mixing is so much better now. The song had already really grown on me and now I get to listen to it sounding like a proper song instead of a demo! It’s still a very fragmented song, but for me those kinda songs stick with me longer. The new break is kinda odd but it’s transition into the second verse sounds magnificent. I’m feeling like this is gonna be absolutely hype on stage. I’m hoping that this song will give Albania a new record at eurovision, the fact that Suus is their best entry is just kinda sad.… Read more »
Woah, an Albanian revamp that actually works, still a bit of a mess but an entertaining mess nonetheless. Never been a massive fan but it has grown on me and I actually wouldn’t mind it qualifying now…
That one Albanian twink once again praising his own country on twitter is so cringe, hoping he will multiply himself since this mess isn’t going anywhere without those selfpraising Albanians.
This is just bad and messy, awkward spots on the chorus flat it all down and who thought it would be a good idea to add even more languages to this? Even Swedes can’t save this one!
The revamp definitely tightened things up and the song feels high energy all throughout the song now, which I like. I think the revamp is great, my only criticism is that the first drop (which is not in the original song) is nowhere as good as the second original drop. Other than that, I like it. The song is already good enough as is, but like San Marino, this is the kind of song that is going to come to life on stage, and I’m looking forward to it!
Wow. This is a mess. It’s all over the place.
It’s soooo good.
The only song I like so far, really. I might vote for this one. ????
I don’t really care for this as it’s a bit all over the place, too many spoons in this soup.
Sounds even more messy than before, I’m kinda dissapointed. Too much everything, might have been a nice entry about a decade ago.
I feel like they lost something in the chorus, like something is missing for me … its still one of the stronger Songs this year but I actually prefer the original version even though I know it was too long ?
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If Spain is accused of being too sexist, then what about Albania? The song has a certain appeal, but they simply want too much in this video and it’s so full of clichés (swinging bums and hair, Game of Throne references, dramatic expressions, wild costumes and scenery), all totally unnecessary, in my opinion. Let’s hope they tone down the whole thing in Turin, so the focus is more on the music because it is not a bad song and the new version is better than the earlier version.
Game of thrones??? Sorry but Albanias HISTORY origin etc with these dressings is wayyyy earlier than GOT !! Uneducated kid
Albanian revamps are like a box of chocolates, you never know what youre gonna get.. But this time, it is a strong revamp, and the song has retained the parts that made it stand out. The Balkan spice is still there, Ronela’s fierceness comes through, and on stage – her vocals still have plenty of room to shine. Well done Team Ronela.
I love the video. It’s raw, it’s risky, and it stands out. The song sounds almost the same to me, so perhaps the changes in language weren’t all that necessary. But bravo, great video.
The unusual structure of this song was always its main appeal, so I’m glad they kept it similar. Ronela’s fierce stage presence will definitely shine once again. Is this a bit chaotic compared to your usual ESC bop? Sure. Does it stand out more? Sure. How will it go compared to the more compact bop from Spain? I have no idea. But Albania isn’t playing safe, and I like it! 🙂
PS. I like the past life story intensity in the video.
“Compact bop” is a great way to define “SloMo”. On the other hand, the chaos in “Sekret” can be quite charming. Spain has the advantage we already know they won’t mess up with the staging, since they have everything set by now. Do we already know if Sacha Jean-Baptiste will work for Albania again?
I still don’t know who will stage songs at this point, but I am very excited to see how it will unfold. I am still unsure which bop I like more – Spain or Albania. They are quite different, and both good in what they are going for. Since I know that uptempo diva bangers usually get a good fan response, I am happy that this time I approve both of them as well.
I’m in the exact same situation, can’t decide which I like more and even if it isn’t my go-to genre, I believe they’re solid additions to the lineup. In fact, I prefer them to some of the beloved bops from recent years.
Wait what? You are talking about Spain and stagings, and if there’s something we’re the best at ESC is ruining everything.
The Benidorm Fest staging needs to be adjusted for Torino, at least. Camera work, lights, led screens… that’s a lot to do.
Bad frames and it doesn’t care how good Chanel dances, it’s over.
Of course there’s a lot to do, but it’s more about adapting it to a different stage, since creatively most of the work is done. The choreography is awesome and camera work and lights usually only improve in Eurovision, because they have better equipment to use. The biggest change they’ll face is with the led screen, since now there will be stage elements between the performers and the screen, but it doesn’t seem difficult to use neon lighting to reproduce the the night scebe vibe. Can the delegation still ruin it? Sure, especially if they try to make unnecessary changes.… Read more »
Yeah for me, Spain and Albania are my faves this year, although I tend to love the bops. It will be interesting to see how they do this year, especially considering that there aren’t nearly as many “female diva bops” as there were last year, where most of them, although made it to the final, got lost in the mix.
Oh dear, what happened to this song? It turned from funny ethnic to hully gully kitsch. So many cliches it became funny in the wrong way. Love the tattoos in the medieval times, and good to see that prisoners were well fed in Albanian prisons at the time.
STOP PRETENDING TO BE ME
Joke: That’s Rich. (Hides)
STOOOOOP LMAO
Nobody wants to be you. Maybe check the history of this site iso make your ego believe the sun turns around you.
I don’t know why you feel the need to pretend to be me but it’s pathetic. I’ve been here for years.
The song is still just my 10th but I’m sure with the revamp it’ll do way better at esc
I like this song very much, apart from the chorus, which leaves me conflicted.
The revamp is a success in my opinion and Albania should definitely qualify for the grand final this year!
This is fire ! I prefer this version I think it will do well and it’s my personal winner ! The only comment that I have is that maybe in the studio version the instrumental is a little bit too low and if it was higher it would have been more powerfull but it’s still amazing !
This is definitely in my top 3 favorite Albanian ESC entries of all time! Punë të mbarë, Shqipëri!
Remember when people were overreacting about “Shum 2.0” and saying the song was ruined? 😀 The more you listen to a track, the more it takes to get used when they change something. And that’s why I spent a couple of months without listening to the original “Sekret”. I personally few the track is flowing better now. For my surprise, they haven’t changed the structure, smoothing transitions was enough. The biggest change was that they got rid of the long intro, which I always thought it was necessary. In exchange, we got a longer dance break divided in 2 parts.… Read more »
I was concerned but it’s a very strong revamp, she didn’t ruin the song at all. I think Albania’s still a top 5 contender, and I’m all in for that! 😀
I am albanian spoke. She doesn’t speak clear albanian. I don’t like it. In English version I think is better.
I think most of the people that are disappointed are the ones that have been playing Sekret a lot which is not my case and won’t be for locals and juries. English aside, I don’t think it’s that better or worse from what it was. It’s still messy but that’s why some people really love it.
ive been playing sekret for too long but I enjoy the revamp as much as the FiK version. This is awesome, I love Ronela for this one
I have found that Albania’s revamps have mostly been very hit or miss. I think previous entries such as Karma and Ktheju Tokës were altered ever so slightly to a better version- whereas the originals of Sekret, Shaj, Botë were much more preferable in their national final versions.
Personally and sadly, Sekret has dropped out of my current top 10 due to the revamp.
Me after the first listen: Wtf…..
After the second listen: Hmm…
After the third listen: This is good!
After the fourth listen: YAS QUEEN SLAY
Okay I still prefer the original version but this one is fire, I’m forever a Ronela stan,
Albania is coming STRONG for that top 5.
BTW she will be performing this live tomorrow in Romania. So we can get a taste of how it will sound LIVE. 🙂
Ooh interesting. I was about to say something about two intriguing interval acts in the same show (her and Jamala) but then I remembered that Romania always has a ridiculous number of interval acts. I remember they played like five songs from Eurovision 2020 while Roxen was getting prepared for her next performance
it’s a good revamp. she didn’t dramatically change it and she didn’t overdo it either.
I liked you Poloser Garbagerine name better.
How does it feel to use Putin’s puppet’s name?
Why she had to ruin it. Stop with these needless revamps, original one was my winner. Im sad
Dont get me wrong, it should still qualify. First version gave me winner vibes
You clearly don’t understand winner vibes if you got it from THAT.
LOVE IT. Okay writing this down as my winner.
Btw! The only ones that are salty are esc fans over here, go to the yt comments, there is a whole lot of positive comments..
Indeed! It’s a good revamp but I get some are salty – probably bc they were already used to the original version
I understand, however it’ll be first time that the juries and non esc fans will be hearing this song..
Is it on spotify?
AMAZING VIDEO!!!! TOP TOP TOP!!! However, the revamp is a bit of a downgrade. The song is still good though. So that is the most important part. I am surprised about the DROP… what were they thinking? It’s a bit weak. What happened to the drums too…the drums created the goosebumps. Also for people complaining about negative comments. It’s not negative to really like the FIK original version. Deep down we all want Ronela to do the best. Feedback = Love. Now since the final version is out, she just needs to focus on the staging. I just hope she… Read more »
yeah, the drop change was the only part I didnt understand. they def made it worse.
Albania is my favorite this year. This version is okay, but however, the old version is undeniably better. This one seems little messy to me, and three languages is a bit much. Or maybe it just makes no sense in this song. Music video is a terrible idea. 🙁 But I still love this song, love this beat.
help i can’t stop listening to the revamp omd. It is acc so good i have no words. I rly thought I was gonna be disappointed but I was proven wrong, Albania is now officially my winner. A lot of ppl don’t like the new drop but I quite like it. No words!!
Personally im more disappointed by the video than the song itself? The revamp was not bad in my opinion; Just the drums in the background were a bit higher than the traditional instruments which everyone used to like. Thats one of the negative points of the revamp. I personally have no problem that she changed the language of the song even if in albanian sounded better. I think that in general people can like it but still it doesn’t give me at all winning vibe feels. Im sure with a good staging it will pass in the finals for sure.… Read more »
So many negative comments, but keep in mind that many people only hear the songs when Eurovision starts. So they have not even heard the old version
It is actually good. I’d prefer it in Albanian I think but I’m loving the traditional flutes and the ethnic vibe of the package.
Top 3 this year, best song from what we listened so far. The atmosphere it creates is super.
And this, ladies and gentleman, is how NOT to do a revamp.
Song: ruined.
Yeah. The new sounds are not doing it for me. And the English overload takes away from its uniqueness. It fell out of my top 10. Oh well.
I never liked the Spanish song (still don’t), but yeah, her performance is great. Spain is also not in my top 10. A good performance alone isn’t going to make me like a song.
You will get used to it after 2 or 3 listens.
Look at the odds guys. Albania is now in 21 place – its rising 😉
oof it is down to 25th now. Below Germany. I honestly don’t get these odds man
and now its 23. It change all the time haha
lmao I hope it rises even more. Ronela deserves top 10
I do agree
I really like this, Loved the old version, this meets former’s expectations and meets them and easily surpasses them, With Albanian revamps some are meh and some are god awful, within the expectations, the past 3 contests 2018, 2019 and 2021 all of the Albanian entries were revamped for the contests and all sounded as good as their original counterparts if not better, and the live performances seem to only serve them better and elevate them. There will be a lot of naysayers out there, saying that it wasn’t needed or necessary (NEWSFLASH: it was needed to cut it to… Read more »
They ruined the song. That’s all i’ve got to say.
ITS AMAZING. the best of this year
I’m confused. I dont know what to think of it