"Mike" (Albanian pronunciation: [miˈke]; transl. (Girl)friend) is a song recorded by Albanian singer and songwriter Elvana Gjata and Kosovo-Albanian rapper Ledri Vula featuring Albanian singer John Shahu. It was composed and written by the aforementioned artists together with Arber Zeqo and produced by Arbre Blass. The official music video was uploaded onto YouTube in July 2018.

"Mike"
The official cover art for "Mike"
Single by Elvana Gjata and Ledri Vula featuring John Shahu
LanguageAlbanian
Released4 July 2018 (2018-07-04)
GenrePop
Length3:23
LabelEast Music Matters
Songwriter(s)
  • Arber Zeqo
  • Elvana Gjata
  • John Shahu
  • Ledri Vula
Producer(s)
  • Arbre Blass
Elvana Gjata singles chronology
"Ku Vajti"
(2018)
"Mike"
(2018)
"Tavolina e mërzisë"
(2019)
Ledri Vula singles chronology
"Princess Diana"
(2018)
"Mike"
(2018)
"Aje"
(2018)
John Shahu singles chronology
"Medicine"
(2017)
"Mike"
(2018)
"Havana"
(2019)
Music video
"Mike" on YouTube

Background and composition

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Having a duration time of three minutes and twenty three seconds, "Mike" was musically described as an Albanian-language pop song incorporating Balkan elements.[1] Lyrically, the song explores the theme of an adolescent romance that is predetermined despite the long distances. It was composed and written by Elvana Gjata, Ledri Vula, John Shahu together with Albanian producer Arber Zeqo.[2] Albanian producer Arbre Blass was additionally hired for the song's production process.[2] According to the latter, it took approximately 250 hours for the complementation of the song.[3]

Critical reception

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Music critics gave generally positive responses of "Mike" following its release. An editor of SoundsEuropean was positive towards the singers vocals and song's nature labeling it a "fresh song with a catchy melody".[4] Radio Ferizaj was positive towards Elvana's, Ledri's and Shahu's vocal parts further calling the music video as "phenomenal".[5]

Music video and promotion

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An accompanying music video for the song was officially premiered to the YouTube channel of Elvana Gjata, two days before the digital and to streaming release on 2 July 2018.[6][7][8] Filmed in Palermo, Italy, it was directed by Besian Durmishi and produced by Adea Kelmendi.[2][9][10] East Music Matters released it on digital platforms and streaming services as a single on 4 July 2018.

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal and YouTube.[11][2]

  • Elvana Gjata – composing, songwriting, vocals
  • Ledri Vula – composing, songwriting, vocals
  • John Shahu – composing, songwriting, vocals
  • Arber Zeqo – songwriting
  • Arbre Blass – production
  • Besian Durmishi – video directing
  • Adea Kelmendi – video production

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
Albania (The Top List)[12] 2

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 4 July 2018 East Music Matters

References

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  1. ^ ""Mike", l'albanese Elvana Gjata è di nuovo in testa alle charts nazionali" (in Italian). 13 August 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Elvana Gjata & Ledri Vula feat. John Shahu - Mike | Official Music Video". YouTube. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020. Note: Open description for credits.
  3. ^ "Si e ka quajtur Elvana Gjatën producenti i këngës Mike? Zbuloni çfarë ka ndodhur para realizimit të këtij hiti!" (in Albanian). IN TV. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Albania | Elvana Gjata feat. Ledri Vula and John Shahu - "Mike"". 12 August 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Elvana Gjata & Ledri Vula ft John Shahu publikojnë "Mike"" (in Albanian). 2 July 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Elvana e Ledri publikojnë "Mike"". koha.net (in Albanian). Koha. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Publikohet "Mike" nga Elvana, Ledri dhe Johni". botasot.info (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Premierë: Elvana Gjata, Ledri Vula dhe John Shehu publikojnë këngën "Mike"". zeri.info (in Albanian). Zëri. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Bashkëpunimi i Elvana Gjatës dhe Ledrit, zbulohen detajet nga projekti i ri". revistawho.com (in Albanian). 2 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Ky është qyteti ku Elvana e Ledri xhiruan klipin e ri". prive.al (in Albanian). Privé. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Mike / Elvana Gjata TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 14 March 2020. Note: Open "Credits" for credits.
  12. ^ "THE TOP LIST–15/07/2018" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  13. ^ Citations regarding the digital release of "Mike" by Elvana Gjata and Ledri Vula featuring John Shahu in various selected countries: