Qendresa
Qendresa discusses her music career and collaboration with Drake
Qendresa is a London artist who has been making waves in the music industry. According to Isobel Van Dyke, Qendresa found herself ringing in the new year in the Bahamas, where she was part of a writing camp for Drake's Iceman album trilogy. Her unexpected friendship with the Canadian rapper first blossomed when he posted her track 'Tearz' on Instagram.
Early Life and Career
Qendresa was born to Kosovo-Albanian parents and raised in Kilburn, north-west London. Her name, which means resistance or endurance in Albanian, points to the country's history. She grew up with two younger brothers and wasn't brought up in a creative household, but her parents always supported her love of music. Qendresa started DJing at 24, which led to a four-week course at the London Sound Academy and subsequently, gigs at restaurants like The Ivy, Sexy Fish and Annabel's.
Collaboration with Drake
Qendresa's collaboration with Drake began when he posted her track 'Tearz' on Instagram. They started talking over DM about music and it felt like speaking to an old friend - really natural and organic. Their messages soon became a back and forth of music recommendations and tracks they'd been working on. Qendresa contributed to a number of tracks on Drake's albums ICEMAN, HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR, including 'Slap the City' and 'Stuck'.
Music Style and Inspiration
Qendresa's music style is a unique blend of R&B, reggaeton and 80s sound. Her latest project, which dropped last week, consists of a new single, 'Besitos', and its accompanying B-side, 'Gave Myself 2 U'. 'Besitos' is a love song to Mexico, with a fun, playful, whimsical vibe, while 'Gave Myself 2 U' is sensual and heartbreaking. Qendresa's music is inspired by her love of drum and bass, jungle and UK garage, which she discovered at a young age. She was also heavily influenced by grime, which gave her energy and motivation.
Qendresa's monthly listener count jumped from under a million to over six million after her collaboration with Drake. She is grateful for her newfound fanbase and is excited to share her music with the world. Despite her love for London, Qendresa moved to Brighton three years ago, citing gentrification as a major factor in her decision. She misses London, but it doesn't feel like the same city she grew up in anymore. With a little help from Drake, Qendresa is taking Kilburn and Kosovo to the world, one song at a time.
