Esma Redžepova | Makedonia's Gypsy / Roma Queen

One of the most well known Balkan Romani singers is Esma Redžepova. She started her career at age fourteen when she competed and won a Macedonian singing contest in Skopje. She then joined the Stevo Teodosievski Ensemble where the Ensemble leader later became her husband. After much success in the Balkans, she now tours internationally. She also, similar to Oprah in some ways, started her own music school for unfortunate Romani children. Esma Redžepova has also adopted over 50 children from Macedonia and has her own foundation to help her fellow Roma who are less fortunate

Please read more about her at her official website or the wikipedia page (it isn't the best, but its great for quick info)


So, basically, Esma Redžepova something similar to Aretha Franklin, Madonna and Judy Garland. She started her singing career early (professionally on the road at age 14), became a symbol of Romani everywhere by raising awareness and simultaneously being a pop star.

Basically, when discussing Roma music and Balkan music a presence that needs to be mentioned, admired and acknowledged. I've assembled a playlist of some of Esma Redžepova's work over the years, starting from when she was young to her 4:oo Minutes to Save the World song to prove she's still got it.

Some of you might find it easier to navigate through the playlist from YouTube page. I'm not having much luck embedding the playlists, so I've embeded all of the videos on this page.

Esma Redzepova - Caje Sukarije
By far, this is her most famous song. There are newer versions but I think this archive footage captures the era and her form as when she was younger; definitely a Diva.



Esma Redžepova "Romano horo", gypsy song
One of her better known songs, "Romano horo" means "Old Roma" and she's sing about being merry and celebrating. Sung in Romani with a spattering of Macedonian such as "I-de" which means "let's go".



Esma Redžepova i Enver Rasimov- Site devojčinja
This is good example of her ability to sing Macedonian Folk Music as well as Roma music.




Esma Redzepova I Gogo Zafirovski-Biljana Platno Belese
Another example of her Folk music singing talents. This is Macedonian folk song.




Esma Redzepova- Moj Ocka Ima Konjicka Dva
This is a lovely historical artifact from the Yugoslavian Era. Esma Redzepova is singing a Slovenian folk song from when they where unified republics.




Esma Redzepova- Makedonijo, Rosno Cveke
Another famous Macedonian Folk song which is also sung in Bulgaria (from personal experience)



Tose Proeski & Esma Redzepova - Magija
This Esma's "4 Minutes" song. She's partnered with one of the hippest Macedonian pop singers.