Qendresa
Qendresa discusses her career and collaboration with Drake
Qendresa, a London artist, has seen her career take off in 2026, thanks in part to her collaboration with Drake. According to Qendresa, she was part of a writing camp for Drake's Iceman album trilogy in January. This opportunity came about after Drake posted her track "Tearz" on Instagram, leading to a conversation about music and eventually a collaboration.
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, reflects her family's heritage and the history of Kosovo. Qendresa's parents migrated to London in the 80s, and she grew up with two younger brothers. She wasn't brought up in a creative household, but her parents supported her love of music.
Music Style and Influences
Qendresa's music style is influenced by her love of drum and bass, jungle, and UK garage, which she discovered while sneaking into Fabric with her friends. She also credits grime with giving her energy and motivation, particularly hearing London voices on a world stage. Qendresa's latest project, which includes a new single "Besitos" and its accompanying B-side "Gave Myself 2 U", showcases her signature 80s sound and explores themes of love and attachment issues.
Collaboration with Drake
Qendresa's collaboration with Drake has been a significant factor in her career growth. She contributed to several tracks on his Iceman album trilogy, including "Slap the City" and "Stuck". Since the albums' release, Qendresa's monthly listener count has jumped from under a million to over six million. She attributes this growth to her new fans being on the same wavelength as her and her existing fans, who are genuinely interested in her music.
Qendresa's experience working with Drake has been positive, with the two artists sharing a natural and organic conversation about music. She has also released new music, giving her newfound fanbase a warm welcome. Qendresa's story, as told to Isobel Van Dyke, highlights her journey from working at Sexy Fish to writing for Drake, and how her music reflects her London roots and Kosovo-Albanian heritage. With her unique sound and style, Qendresa is taking Kilburn and Kosovo to the world, one song at a time.
