Qendresa drops first reggaeton single "Besitos"
London-born R&B artist Qendresa released her debut reggaeton track "Besitos" and its B-side "Gave Myself 2 U" last week, following a high-profile collaboration with Drake that boosted her monthly listeners from under a million to over six million.
Qendresa, the London-born R&B singer-songwriter, dropped her new single "Besitos" and its B-side "Gave Myself 2 U" last week, marking her first foray into reggaeton. The tracks were released after her 2024 album "Londra" and 2020 EP "Midnight Request Line".
Background and Heritage
Qendresa was born to Kosovo-Albanian parents and raised in Kilburn, north-west London. Her name, meaning resistance or endurance in Albanian, reflects her family’s history during the 1990s civil unrest in Kosovo. She grew up in a non-creative household but her parents encouraged her love of music and even tried to persuade her to play piano. After studying fashion and fine art at college, she left those pursuits for the city’s rave scene, where she first discovered drum and bass, jungle and UK garage.
Collaboration with Drake
In January 2026, Qendresa found herself at a writing camp in the Bahamas for Drake’s Iceman album trilogy. The friendship began when Drake posted her track "Tearz" on Instagram, sparking a back-and-forth of music recommendations. Months later, she was invited to work on the Iceman albums, which were released in May 2026 as three separate projects: ICEMAN, HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR. She contributed to several tracks, including "Slap the City" on HABIBTI and "Stuck" on MAID OF HONOUR.
Impact on Listener Base
The collaboration with Drake pushed Qendresa’s monthly listeners from under a million to over six million. She praised the growth, noting that the new fans share her wavelength and are genuinely intrigued by her music.
New Single Details
"Besitos" is Qendresa’s first venture into reggaeton. She describes it as a love song to Mexico with a fun, playful, whimsical vibe that touches on serious themes such as attachment issues. The single features Spanish lyrics, a departure from her usual English-language tracks.
B-Side Highlights
The B-side, "Gave Myself 2 U", showcases Qendresa’s signature 80s sound. She calls it sensual and heartbreaking, hoping listeners will cry. The track continues her exploration of emotional depth while maintaining her distinctive style.
Cultural Significance
Qendresa says her music is a way of taking Kilburn and Kosovo to the world. She speaks proudly of her West London accent and her Albanian heritage, using her platform to share Kosovo’s history. She also laments the gentrification of London, noting how the city’s mood has changed and how the places she grew up in no longer feel the same.
Moving Forward
After moving to Brighton three years ago, Qendresa misses London but remains committed to her roots. She continues to release music that reflects her journey, from her early days raving at Fabric to her recent collaborations with global artists. The drop of "Besitos" and "Gave Myself 2 U" signals a new chapter in her career, blending her Balkan background with contemporary urban sounds.
