FiK 64 rumours: Albanian insiders whisper Genta Ismajli, Fifi and Era Istrefi

FiK, yeah! It’s officially FiK season. After last year’s explosive and wildly successful edition of Festivali i Këngës, expectations are sky-high and the buzz is louder than ever. That’s after another edition which saw Albanian audiences split right down the middle for a second time, thanks to Elvana Gjata and Shkodra Elektronike.

Just a few days ago, artistic director Elhaida Dani, serving in the role for the second consecutive year, announced on social media that the song submission phase had officially closed, with a total of 100 entries received. But who are the names everyone has been whispering about, not just in recent days, but for months now?

According to sources close to RTSH, a modest yet intriguing list is taking shape…

FiK 64 rumours: Who will sing in Albania?

Genta Ismajli – The big surprise

Genta, who stepped away from the Albanian music scene after getting married and becoming a mother, was once one of the key forces shaping the Albanian music industry. A true pop revolutionary and winner of Kënga Magjike 2005, she has proven herself as one of the best performers Albania has ever seen, so expectations are high.

However, much has changed since her departure, and the local showbiz scene is no longer the same. Many artists who have taken breaks struggled to make successful comebacks, as audiences today are far less forgiving. Genta seems to know this, or at least her team does, and is likely viewing FiK as the perfect springboard for a strong return, winner or not. With a touch of her signature spark and a little luck, her entry could easily turn into a sensation.

Fifi – The unexpected return

Despite having sworn, promised, and declared she would never return to the Festival, Fifi is doing the exact opposite of what she said. Because if there’s one confirmed name this year, it’s hers. She has already made it official on her social media.

What remains unclear is whether she will come solo or team up with Tiri Gjoci, with whom she has long teased a duet. Either way, the duo seems to be keeping fans in suspense, a clever move to maximize attention.

Let’s not forget, Fifi last took part in FiK 61 with “Stop,” a song that was heavily criticized by fans and marked a turning point in her career, one that has seen a noticeable decline ever since. She has been open about her frustrations, often admitting that nothing seems to be going her way lately. A regular Kënga Magjike participant but never a winner, Fifi’s strength is her ballads. Still, let’s see what she has cooked up this time, because she promised this is going to be her old era style. It’s a packed season for her, as she is releasing an EP, dropping several collaborations, and serving as a mentor on X Factor Kids, premiering this fall on TV Klan.

Era Istrefi – The comeback dream

Another name rapidly making the rounds lately is none other than Era Istrefi. The singer behind “BonBon,” the most streamed Albanian song in history, still hasn’t let go of her dream of global stardom. A dream she once lived, albeit briefly, under Ultra Records, a deal that ultimately hurt her not only internationally but also locally.

Since then, Era has struggled to readjust to today’s market, and her newer releases haven’t quite captured the same viral energy as before. Perhaps that’s why she is now eyeing Festivali i Këngës, and by extension Eurovision, as a golden opportunity to reignite her spark and remind everyone of her star power.

The real question is how she will do live. Era has never been known for strong live vocals or dynamic stage presence, but with some work she could absolutely pull off something big. After all, Era Istrefi remains one of the most iconic names in Albanian pop.

Media outlets have also mentioned names like Enca, Evi Reçi, Vedat Ademi, Alis, and Enxhi Nasufi, though these remain unconfirmed for now. We will likely have a final list by mid-October, when RTSH makes its official announcement.

… Still, the biggest question that keeps everyone wondering until that moment is this. Will she, the woman who skyrocketed FiK’s audience during editions 58 and 63, return once more for her fans’ sake, or will she let “Ego” lead the way, just like the title of the first track from chapter two of her upcoming 33-song project Trilogji?

We are talking, of course, about Elvana Gjata. She has dropped a few subtle hints on X, formerly Twitter, while her manager Andi Islami has firmly denied any involvement on Instagram, but fans are not buying it.