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Artist
Esma Redžepova
12+ albums
GypsybalkanMacedonianfolkfemale vocalists
about
Esma Redžepova -Teodosievska (Macedonian: Есма Реџепова-Теодосиевска (8 August 1943 - 11 December 2016) was a Romani, Macedonian vocalist, songwriter, and humanitarian of Romani ethnicity. Because of her prolific repertoire, which includes hundreds of songs, and because of her contribution to Roma culture and its promotion, she was nicknamed Queen of the Gypsies. Esma Redzepova was born in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. She is the second youngest of six children. Her family was relatively (but not abjectly) poor growing up, her father working variously as a porter, singer, drummer, circus strongman and shoeshiner. Her parents stressed that all six children finish primary school. At age nine Esma was introduced by one of her brothers to a local Romani music organisation, where she was able to quickly learn complicated rhythms. Her mother encouraged her musical gifts and Esma and her brother soon joined their school's folklore group. In 1957, age 14, she was personally invited to sing at a school talent contest for Radio Skopje. This concert proved to be a turning point—not only did she place first, beating out 57 other schools and winning 9000 dinars, but national band leader and future husband Stevo Teodosievski also happened to be in attendance. After securing permission from her parents, Esma began touring with his musical ensemble. Legend has it she left home with a single suitcase filled with one dress and one Čoček costume. In recent years, Esma has remained popula
top songs
albums
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Borat
Queen of the Gypsies
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Stereophonic Musical Listenings That Have Been Origin in Moving Film: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Ciganske Pjesme i Kola
Chaje Shukarije
Songs Of A Macedonian Gypsy
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Gypsy Carpet
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Princes Amongst Men
Esma
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Queen Of The Gypsies_Macedonian Songs
Stereophonic Musical Listenings That Have Been Origin in Moving Film "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"
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The Rough Guide to the Music of Balkan Gypsies