Not long ago, Big Basta and Vesa Luma left New Zealand to continue their lives in Albania. And definitely the most frequent question the couple will get is:
'Why did you come back?'
In an interview for "Live from Tirana", Big Basta told about the decision to return to Albania.
"I wanted to be where the world begins. As children, we have been trained to leave Albania, since we learn foreign languages. No one has prepared us to stay in Albania. I realized while staying there how important it was Albania. In New Zealand they have an extraordinary policy, they tell you that you will love your homeland very much. We as a people have our good and bad like any other people. I came back and together with Vesa we decided to grow our passion for music and we want the boy to perfect the Albanian language. To stay with his grandparents and relatives."
Returning to Albania, has something changed in the country for Big Basta?
"It is the year 2023, Albania is a beautiful country. I am a rapper and rappers must be permanent opposition. Albania suits every generation."
Is Big Basta identified as a rapper who sings about the 'problems' of Albanians?
"I think that even in the decades to come, every letter of my songs will still have value. I have often made songs that are commercial, I have not enjoyed them to the fullest, I enjoy when I make real verses. I see myself very well positioned on this side, it gives me longevity. The older the wine gets the tastier it gets, the same thing I want with my songs."
How has the music market changed in Albania according to the artist?
"As a whole, a lot has changed. Now there are rarely artists of the rock genre. Hip Hop has won as a culture, it is widespread in Albania. There are good artists, but there are also transients. In terms of quality, it is very high. One of my favorites is Lyrical Son. There are others, there are new artists who are very good. They are moving in the right steps."
