Buta (rapper)

Buta
Born
Betim Januzi

(1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 (age 31)
OccupationRapper
Years active2011 – present
Musical career
Genres
Labels

Betim Januzi (Albanian: [bɛ'tim 'januzi]; born 29 March 1995), known professionally as Buta, is a Kosovo-Albanian rapper.

Life and career

1995–2017: Early life and career beginnings

Betim Januzi was born on 29 March 1995 into an Albanian family in the city of Ferizaj, then part of the FR Yugoslavia, present Kosovo. He discovered his passion for music at an early age and began writing songs at age 12. Januzi released his debut song in 2010, titled "Guillotine". In 2011 he released a number of singles under the name "butacrunk" on YouTube. In 2012, he joined the musical collective Ham Skwad Global and released his first song and music video named "Kqyre", part of his first mixtape Rolling Stoned Vol. I. In 2013 he released Rolling Stoned Vol. II.[citation needed] His early music is influenced by hip hop.

In 2014, Januzi released the singles "200 kmh" and "Flex". At the end of 2014 he moved to the capital city of Albania, Tirana, where he studied economics at the Mediterranean University of Albania.[citation needed]

In 2015 Januzi released his first EP named Z. Ndjenja, introducing his influences from the trap genre. Januzi claims he's always been into trap music and that he was inspired by artists such as Lil Wayne. In 2016, Januzi released the EP Dr. Zhivago. The song "Hashish Thaqi" from the EP is one of his most streamed songs of all-time. In late 2016 he released the EP Nino Brown, in collaboration with Pllug Bois.

In February 2017, he signed a contract with the Albanian music label Nesër Music. In July 2017, he announced his follow-up single "Mbi Re" in collaboration with Albanian rapper Ledri Vula and peaked at number 17 in Albanian music charts. On 1 May 2017, he released the mixtape Pranvere / Vere '17 with hits such as "Sorry" and a feature from MC Kresha in the song "Opps". In November 2017, Januzi released the single "Z. Ndjenja 2". In December 2017, he collaborated with German-Albanian rapper Dardan on the single "Tango & Cash", which peaked at 84 in Albanian music charts.

2018–present: Upcoming album and continued success

In 2018, Januzi almost released seven singles, including "Anuloje", which experienced moderate success throughout the Albanian-speaking world. In May 2018, he collaborated a second time with Albanian rapper Ledri Vula on the number one single "Merri Merri". In August 2018, he performed at the Sunny Hill Festival in Pristina along other acclaimed artists such as Action Bronson, Martin Garrix and Dua Lipa. The following year, he premiered the singles "24/7", reaching the number 12 in Albania, and "Edi Rama", which became his second number one single.

In December 2019, "Edi Rama" was released and went on to reach number one in Albania simultaneously becoming the rapper's second number one single in his native country. He signed a record deal with the German subsidiary of Universal Music in December 2021 to release his upcoming third studio album.

Artistry

The musical work of Januzi incorporates hip hop and trap music. He cites a wide array of musical artists as influences, including numerous hip hop performers, such as 50 Cent, Cam’ron, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Young Jeezy. He takes influence from the different genres of music he discovered when he was young, including from the hip hop and new school movements.

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

  • Pranvere / Vere '17 (2017)
  • Vjeshte / Dimer '18 (2018)
  • Pranvere / Vere '25 (2025)
  • Vjeshte / Dimer '25 (2025)
  • Plus Ultra (2025)

Extended plays

  • Z. Ndjenja (2016)
  • Punë Skuadre (2016)
  • Dr. Zhivago (2016)
  • Z. Ndjenja 2 (2020)
  • Babayega (2020)
  • Manuali (2023)
  • The Lounge (2023)
  • The Crashout (2024)
  • B&E (2026)

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak
chart
positions
Album
ALB
"Swag City" 2012 N/a Non-album single
"Kqyre"
"Rune Qafën" 2013
"Mellow"
"Birra X Jointa"
"200 Kmh" 2014
"Për Trip" 2015
"N'rregull"
"Hashish Thaci" 2016 —
"Ndjekja" 2017 —
"Mbi Re"
(with Ledri Vula)
17
"Z. Ndjenja 2" —
"Tango & Cash"
(featuring Dardan)
84
"Cash In/Out"
(with S4MM)
2018 —
"Fakt" —
"Anderr / Pluto" —
"Merri Merri"
(with Ledri Vula)
1
"Anuloje"
(with DJ Flow)
10
"Ok Ok" —
"Pse Ke Ardh Ktu" —
"24/7" 2019 12
"Uzi"
(with Skerdi)
—
"My Bro"
(with Gjiko)
—
"Edi Rama" 1
"Drip"
(with Singi)
2020 —
"Blero"
(with Ago)
—
"Gips" —
"Testom" —
"Policine" —
"Posht/Nalt" 2021 —
"Telebingo" —
"Rich" 2022 —
"5AM"
(with Era Istrefi)
—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles as featured artist
Title Year Album
"Fr Cypher"
(DJ Kollink featuring Ago, Limi, Getinjo, SL, Donat and Buta)
2013 Non-album single
"Mucho Guapo"
(Hardy featuring Francky Loot and Buta)
2016

References

  1. ↑ "Buta Biografia" (in Albanian). TeksteShqip. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  2. ↑ "Ekipi i "Nesër Music" tashmë edhe me fotografi të përbashkët". priveshow.tv (in Albanian). Privé. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Buta dhe Ledri Vula vijnë "Mbi re" me projektin e ri, dyshja flasin rreth bashkëpunimit që do të sjellin". telegrafi.com (in Albanian). 26 July 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "Buta dhe Dardan nuk i rezistojnë gjatë klasifikimit". topawards.top-channel.tv (in Albanian). 23 January 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  5. ↑ "Dj Flow dhe Buta sjellin këngën e re "Anuloje"". botasot.info (in Albanian). 25 September 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  6. ↑ "Ledri Vula dhe Buta publikojnë "Merri Merri"". koha.net (in Albanian). Koha. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  7. ↑ "Buta konfirmohet se do të jetë pjesë e festivalit Sunny Hill". gazetaexpress.com (in Albanian). 16 July 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  8. ↑ "Buta publikon "24/7"". rtv21.tv (in Albanian). RTV21. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  9. ↑ "Buta publikon këngën e re "Edi Rama"". ballkani.info (in Albanian). 13 December 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  10. ↑ "Buta publikon këngën e re "Edi Rama"". telegrafi.com (in Albanian). 13 December 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "Buta–Bio". topawards.top-channel.tv (in Albanian). 21 June 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  12. ↑ "An Interview with Buta, the King of Albanian Trap". balkanist.net. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  13. ↑ "NUK KA ASNJË IDHULL DHE DASHURON TRI GJËRA – REPERI QË NUK NGOPET ME PARA". insajderi.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  14. ↑ "AI NUK ËSHTË REPER POR PASQYRË E GJENERATES T'PRISHTË". insajderi.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  15. ↑ Note: "The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015. For peak positions in Albania: