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Draft:Edon Molla

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Edon Molla
Born
Edon Molla

(1994-03-08) March 8, 1994 (age 30)
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
Years active2013–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar
Websitewww.thisisedon.com

Edon Molla (born March 8, 1994) is an Albanian American singer-songwriter known for his genre-crossing style infused with elements of folk, rock, rhythm and blues (R&B), pop, and hip-hop. He has released three studio albums, contributed to film soundtracks, and performed at major international festivals.

Early life

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Molla was born in Prizren, Kosovo. During the Kosovo War, his family fled the region and sought refuge in the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York, when he was two years old. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, Molla developed an affinity for both basketball and music. He excelled in local basketball leagues, gaining recognition during his adolescence, while also blending influences from his Albanian heritage and the urban sounds of New York City to shape his unique musical style.

Music career

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Edon Molla has released three studio albums, accumulating over five million streams across all platforms. His debut album, Alone (2019), features 10 tracks, including "Sunrise," "Dancing With The Devil," and "Olivia." The song "Olivia" was selected as the theme song for the Brooklyn Greenway Half Marathon and 5K, marking an early milestone in his career.

In 2020, Molla released his second album, For Merita, which includes 12 tracks such as "Dance With Me" and "Cabin in The Woods." The album achieved over one million streams in its first month and has since amassed 2.6 million streams across platforms.

His third album, Development Year (2024), was released on his birthday and features 10 tracks, including "Follow Me Through the Dark," "Walk Through Fire," and "New York." The album reflects themes of resilience and self-discovery, showcasing Molla's evolution as an artist.

He has collaborated with Grammy-winning artist Roberta Flack and worked alongside Grammy-winning engineers Billy Decker and Scott Hull. Beyond his albums, Molla has contributed to notable film and media projects. He composed the theme for the 2020 film MMM: The Sound of Pain, which was included in the Oscars Nomination Eligible Film list for that year. Additionally, he wrote the score for The Hurt We Share, a feature film with an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score, further demonstrating his versatility as a musician and composer.

Molla has also performed at prominent venues, including Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, Irving Plaza, and various locations across the United States. In 2022, he performed at the Sunny Hill Festival in Kosovo, opening for artists such as J Balvin, Dua Lipa, and Diplo. Leading up to the event, Molla engaged in extensive press coverage to promote the festival, participating in interviews with outlets like RTK1 Media, ABC News Kosovo, and Glam Radio, where he discussed his music and the significance of performing alongside renowned artists. The festival, which attracted over 100,000 attendees, highlighted Molla's growing presence on the international music stage.

Advocacy and Recognition

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Edon Molla has consistently leveraged his platform to advocate for immigrant communities, particularly those impacted by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He has been a vocal supporter of Dreamers, using his own story as a refugee to shed light on the challenges and resilience of immigrant youth in America.

In November 2021, Molla was invited to Washington, D.C., where he met with ten senators, 20 members of the House of Representatives, and various media outlets. During these meetings, he discussed the importance of supporting Dreamers and creating expanded opportunities for immigrant communities.

In March 2024, his story was highlighted on the Senate floor by Senator Dick Durbin, who praised the contributions of DACA recipients to American society, emphasizing Molla's success as an artist and advocate.

Later that year, in June 2024, Molla was invited to the White House by President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden in recognition of his contributions to the arts and his advocacy for immigrant communities. Molla has often spoken about his family's journey as refugees and his experiences growing up in Brooklyn, underscoring the importance of policies that support immigrant youth and promote inclusivity.

Basketball career

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Molla attended St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, playing under legendary coach Bob Hurley. During his high school career, he helped lead the team to three New Jersey State Championships and two National Championships. Following high school, Molla played NCAA Division I basketball at St. Francis College, where he was a member of the Terriers and participated in the 2015 National Invitation Tournament.

Personal life

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Molla resides in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were active advocates for Kosovar-Albanian rights during the 1990s, a legacy of activism that has influenced his own commitment to social justice. Musically, Molla draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including Jimi Hendrix, Adele, John Mayer, Eminem, and Ed Sheeran, among others. In addition to his musical pursuits, Molla enjoys playing basketball, a passion he developed during his youth.

Discography

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Alone (2019) For Merita (2020) Development Year (2024)

Filmography

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MMM: The Sound of Pain (2020) - Theme Song Composer The Hurt We Share (2020) - Score Composer

References

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[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33]

  1. ^ "Article on Edon Molla's musical successes". Katror. October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Atlantiku coverage on Edon's Sunny Hill Festival performance". Atlantiku. July 14, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "Strugalajme article on Edon Molla". Strugalajme. October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  4. ^ "Atlantiku coverage on White House recognition". Atlantiku. June 26, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "New Indian Express coverage on MMM: The Sound of Pain". New Indian Express. June 5, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Cinema Express coverage on Edon's film contributions". Cinema Express. October 6, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "Edon Molla discusses work with Grammy-winning artist Roberta Flack on your2cents Podcast". YouTube. February 26, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Edon Molla King Legend Talks Podcast Interview". YouTube. April 16, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Edon Molla Acoustic Session - Facts Not Included Podcast". YouTube. September 19, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "Red Line Ep. 7 (Ft. Edon Molla)". YouTube. July 9, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Article on Edon Molla's musical successes". Katror. October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Atlantiku coverage on Edon's Sunny Hill Festival performance". Atlantiku. July 14, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Strugalajme article on Edon Molla". Strugalajme. October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  14. ^ "Atlantiku coverage on White House recognition". Atlantiku. June 26, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Roll Call coverage on Dreamer advocacy". Roll Call. November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "New Indian Express coverage on MMM: The Sound of Pain". New Indian Express. June 5, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  17. ^ "Roll Call coverage on Dreamer advocacy". Roll Call. November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "Cinema Express coverage on Edon's film contributions". Cinema Express. October 6, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "Durbin Urges Congress to Find a Permanent Pathway for Dreamers and Pass His Dream Act". United States Senate. March 19, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Kompozitori, këngëtari dhe producenti shqiptar Edon Molla nga Nju Jorku". Albinfo. November 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "Edon Molla muzikën e nisi për të larguar stresin nga studimi, por po prek majat". Koha.net. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  22. ^ "Edon Molla Live Performance, RTK1 Media YouTube Channel". YouTube. August 2, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  23. ^ "Interview with Edon Molla, T7 Media". YouTube. October 7, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "Edon Molla - Acoustic Set, RTK21 Media". YouTube. October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "Edon Molla Performance at Music Festival, RTK21 Media". YouTube. April 5, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  26. ^ "Edon Molla - Live Interview, Kanal10 Media". YouTube. March 31, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  27. ^ "Edon Molla Discusses Creative Process, RTK1 Media". YouTube. April 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  28. ^ "Edon Molla - Live Studio Session, RTK21 Media". YouTube. December 8, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "Edon Molla - Exclusive Interview, RTK1 Media". YouTube. December 4, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "Edon Molla - New Album Sneak Peek, Good Morning, Kosovo Interview, RTV Dukagjini". YouTube. April 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  31. ^ "Edon Molla - Live Q&A Session, Radiotelevizioni 21". YouTube. April 5, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  32. ^ "Edon Molla Featured on Voice of America". Voice of America. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  33. ^ "Edon Molla: Singer-Songwriter - A Rising Star from Kosova to NYC". BOTA Podcast. October 11, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2024.