About
Biography
Bledar Sejko, born on February 19, 1971, is an esteemed Albanian guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist.
In the late 1980s, during an era when Communist Albania suppressed pop music, Sejko pioneered one of the nation’s initial pop bands. This group, which also featured artists like Redon Makashi and Elton Deda, navigated the restrictive landscape to produce music clandestinely. Fondly nicknamed “Qepa” (translates to “Onion” in English), Sejko mentored Makashi in guitar and has always been celebrated as a master of the instrument in Albania. Furthermore, he’s credited for founding “Megahertz,” recognized as Albania’s inaugural rock band.
Sejko last graced the Festivali i Këngës stage in 1992 with his band, Thunder Way. Their entry, “Legjenda e Heroit” (translates to “The Hero’s Legend”), unfortunately, secured the last position in that edition of the festival.
He had graced the Eurovision stage in 2011, accompanying Aurela Gaçe on her track, “Feel the Passion.” He gained international attention when he represented Albania at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, performing “Identitet” alongside Adrian Lulgjuraj. Sejko notes that this song was influenced by motifs from Northern Albania and Chameria.
In 2014, Sejko took part in Festivali I Këngës again, but now as a composer. Jozefina Simoni sang his song “Mendje trazi” and reached a 12th place with it. He started performing with a band called Bledar Sejko & Friends.
