Era Istrefi is a Kosovar-Albanian singer and songwriter, recognized internationally for her music and collaborations, including the official 2018 FIFA World Cup song. After performing the official 2018 FIFA World Cup song ‘Live It Up’ alongside Will Smith and Nicky Jam during the closing ceremony of the World Cup Final in Moscow, Era Istrefi solidified her status as an international music sensation. She embarked on her musical journey in 2013, releasing her debut single ‘Mani Per Money.’ Her early work quickly gained local recognition in 2014 with tracks such as ‘A Po Don?’ and ‘E Dehun,’ the latter earning her three Videofest Awards, including ‘Best New Artist.’ In December 2014, Istrefi’s pop ballad ’13’ garnered significant online viewership and was featured in V Magazine, foreshadowing her global appeal. Istrefi’s international breakthrough arrived with the release of her single ‘BonBon’ on December 31, 2015, which rapidly achieved viral status across social media platforms.
This success led to her signing with American record labels Sony Music Entertainment and Ultra Music in February 2016, followed by the release of an English version of ‘BonBon’ in June 2016. In 2017, she continued to expand her discography, releasing ‘Redrum’ featuring Felix Snow and ‘No I Love Yous’ in collaboration with French Montana. The same year, she was honored with a European Border Breakers Award, recognizing her success beyond national borders. Building on her global momentum, 2018 marked a pivotal year with her high-profile involvement in the 2018 FIFA World Cup song.
Istrefi’s dynamic musical style, characterized by a blend of dancehall, hip hop, pop, and electronic elements, continues to evolve. More recently, she released ‘5AM’ with Buta in 2022, ‘Hala’ with Don Xhoni in 2022, and ‘Ama’ with Noizy in 2024, maintaining her strong presence in the international music landscape.