Buta (rapper)

{{Short description|Kosovo-Albanian rapper (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Buta | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Betim Januzi | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|3|29}} | birth_place = Ferizaj, FR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) | nationality = | occupation = Rapper | years_active = 2011{{spaced ndash}}present | known_for = | notable_works = | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap}} | instrument = | label = {{hlist|Uptown|Universal}}}} }}

'''Betim Januzi''' ({{IPA|sq|bɛ'tim 'januzi|lang}}; 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.<ref name="Biography">{{cite web |publisher=TeksteShqip |title=Buta Biografia |url=https://www.teksteshqip.com/buta |accessdate=7 February 2020 |language=sq}}</ref> He discovered his passion for music at an early age and began writing songs at the age of twelve. In 2010 he released his first and only song for that year 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 videoclip named "Kqyre" which was part of his first mixtape named "Rolling Stoned Vol. I". In 2013 he released "Rolling Stoned Vol. II".

In 2014, Buta released the single "200 kmh" & "Flex". At the end of 2014 he moved to the capital city of Albania, Tirana, where he studied economics at "Universiteti Mesdhetar i Shqipërisë".{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}

In 2015 Buta released EP named "Z. Ndjenja". In this EP you can hear Buta's trap influence and his unique sound whereas his older songs which were influenced by Hip Hop. Buta claims he's always been into trap and was inspired by artists such as Lil Wayne. In 2016 Buta released EP named "Dr. Zhivago". Dr. Zhivago was particularly important due to the song "Hashish Thaqi" which 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 contract with the Albanian music label Nesër.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Privé |title=Ekipi i "Nesër Music" tashmë edhe me fotografi të përbashkët |url=https://priveshow.tv/ekipi-i-neser-music-tashme-edhe-me-fotografi-te-perbashket-foto/ |website=priveshow.tv |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=24 March 2017}}</ref> In July 2017, he announced his follow-up single "Mbi Re" in collaboration with Albanian rapper Ledri Vula and peaked at number seventeen in Albania.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buta dhe Ledri Vula vijnë "Mbi re" me projektin e ri, dyshja flasin rreth bashkëpunimit që do të sjellin |url=https://telegrafi.com/buta-dhe-ledri-vula-vijne-mbi-re-projektin-e-ri-dyshja-flasin-rreth-bashkepunimit-qe-te-sjellin-fotovideo/ |website=telegrafi.com |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=26 July 2017}}</ref> On 1st of May 2017 he released "Pranvere / Vere '17" with hits such as "Sorry". Mc Kresha also featured in this album in the song "Opps". In November 2017 Buta released the single "Z. Ndjenja 2". In December 2017, he collaborated with German-Albanian rapper Dardan on the single "Tango & Cash", which peaked at eighty four in Albania.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buta dhe Dardan nuk i rezistojnë gjatë klasifikimit |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/buta-dhe-dardan-nuk-i-rezistojne-gjate-klasifikimit/ |website=topawards.top-channel.tv |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=23 January 2018}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dj Flow dhe Buta sjellin këngën e re "Anuloje" |url=https://www.botasot.info/mediale-vip-showbiz/954932/dj-flow-dhe-buta-sjellin-kengen-e-re-anuloje/ |website=botasot.info |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=25 September 2018}}</ref> In May 2018, he collaborated a second time with Albanian rapper Ledri Vula on the number one single "Merri Merri".<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Koha |title=Ledri Vula dhe Buta publikojnë "Merri Merri" |url=https://www.koha.net/showbiz/92938/ledri-vula-dhe-buta-publikojne-merri-merri/ |website=koha.net |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=13 May 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buta konfirmohet se do të jetë pjesë e festivalit Sunny Hill |url=https://www.gazetaexpress.com/buta-konfirmohet-se-do-te-jete-pjese-e-festivalit-sunny-hill/ |website=gazetaexpress.com |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=16 July 2018}}</ref> The following year, he premiered the singles "24/7", reaching the number twelve in Albania, and "Edi Rama", which became his second number one single.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=RTV21 |title=Buta publikon "24/7" |url=http://rtv21.tv/buta-publikon-24-7/ |website=rtv21.tv |accessdate=21 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=1 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Buta publikon këngën e re "Edi Rama" |url=https://ballkani.info/buta-publikon-kengen-e-re-edi-rama/ |website=ballkani.info |accessdate=21 February 2020 |language=Albanian |date=13 December 2019}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buta publikon këngën e re "Edi Rama" |url=https://telegrafi.com/buta-publikon-kengen-e-re-edi-rama/ |website=telegrafi.com |accessdate=4 March 2020 |language=Albanian |date=13 December 2019}}</ref> 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 Januzaji buta babi incorporates hip hop and trap music.<ref name="Genres">{{cite web |title=Buta–Bio |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/artist/buta/ |website=topawards.top-channel.tv |date=21 June 2019 |accessdate=7 February 2020 |language=Albanian}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=An Interview with Buta, the King of Albanian Trap |url=https://balkanist.net/an-interview-with-buta-the-albanian-king-of-trap/ |website=balkanist.net |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=English |date=10 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NUK KA ASNJË IDHULL DHE DASHURON TRI GJËRA – REPERI QË NUK NGOPET ME PARA |url=https://insajderi.com/nuk-ka-asnje-idhull-dhe-dashuron-tri-gjera-reperi-qe-nuk-ngopet-para/ |website=insajderi.com |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian}}</ref> He takes influence from the different genres of music he discovered when he was young, including from the hip hop and new school movements.<ref>{{cite web |title=AI NUK ËSHTË REPER POR PASQYRË E GJENERATES T'PRISHTË |url=https://insajderi.com/ai-nuk-eshte-reper-por-pasqyre-e-gjenerates-tprishte/ |website=insajderi.com |accessdate=12 February 2020 |language=Albanian}}</ref>

== 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 ====

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" | {{abbr|ALB|Albania}} <ref>Note: ''"The Top List" are the charts conducted by Top Channel since December 2015''. For peak positions in Albania: *For "Mbi Re":{{cite web |publisher=Top Channel |title=The Top List{{spaced ndash}}19 November 2017 |date=19 November 2017 |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/19112017/ |access-date=7 February 2020 |language=sq}} *For "Tango & Cash":{{cite web |publisher=Top Channel |title=The Top List{{spaced ndash}}7 January 2018 |date=7 January 2018 |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/07-01-2018/ |access-date=7 February 2020 |language=sq}} *For "Merri Merri":{{cite web |publisher=Top Channel |title=The Top List{{spaced ndash}}17 June 2018 |date=17 June 2018 |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/17-06-2018/ |accessdate=7 February 2020 |language=sq}} *For "Anuloje":{{cite web |publisher=Top Channel |title=The Top List{{spaced ndash}}30 September 2018 |date=30 September 2018 |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/30-09-2018/ |access-date=7 February 2020 |language=sq}} *For "24/7":{{cite web |publisher=Top Channel |title=The Top List{{spaced ndash}}9 June 2019 |date=9 June 2019 |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/09-06-2019/ |accessdate=7 February 2020 |language=sq}} *For "Edi Rama":{{cite web |publisher=Top Channel |title=The Top List{{spaced ndash}}22 December 2019 |date=22 December 2019 |url=http://topawards.top-channel.tv/index.php/22-12-2019/ |access-date=7 February 2020 |language=sq}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | "Swag City" | rowspan="2" | 2012 | rowspan="8" {{n/a}} | rowspan="33" {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Kqyre" |- ! scope="row" | "Rune Qafën" | rowspan="3" | 2013 |- ! scope="row" | "Mellow" |- ! scope="row" | "Birra X Jointa" |- ! scope="row" | "200 Kmh" | 2014 |- ! scope="row" | "Për Trip" | rowspan="2" | 2015 |- ! scope="row" | "N'rregull" |- ! scope="row" | "Hashish Thaci" | 2016 | — |- ! scope="row" | "Ndjekja" | rowspan="4" | 2017 | — |- ! scope="row" | "Mbi Re" {{Small|(with Ledri Vula)}} | 17 |- ! scope="row" | "Z. Ndjenja 2" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Tango & Cash" {{Small|(featuring Dardan)}} | 84 |- ! scope="row" | "Cash In/Out" {{Small|(with S4MM)}} | rowspan="7" | 2018 | — |- ! scope="row" | "Fakt" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Anderr / Pluto" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Merri Merri" {{Small|(with Ledri Vula)}} | 1 |- ! scope="row" | "Anuloje" {{Small|(with DJ Flow)}} | 10 |- ! scope="row" | "Ok Ok" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Pse Ke Ardh Ktu" | — |- ! scope="row" | "24/7" | rowspan="4" | 2019 | 12 |- ! scope="row" | "Uzi" {{Small|(with Skerdi)}} | — |- ! scope="row" | "My Bro" {{Small|(with Gjiko)}} | — |- ! scope="row" | "Edi Rama" | 1 |- ! scope="row" | "Drip" {{Small|(with Singi)}} | rowspan="5" | 2020 | — |- ! scope="row" | "Blero" {{Small|(with Ago)}} | — |- ! scope="row" | "Gips" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Testom" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Policine" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Posht/Nalt" | rowspan="2" | 2021 | — |- ! scope="row" | "Telebingo" | — |- ! scope="row" | "Rich" | rowspan="2" | 2022 | — |- ! scope="row" | "5AM" {{Small|(with Era Istrefi)}} | — |- | colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

==== As featured artist ====

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles as featured artist ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Album |- ! scope="row" | "Fr Cypher" {{Small|(DJ Kollink featuring Ago, Limi, Getinjo, SL, Donat and Buta)}} | 2013 | rowspan="2" {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row" | "Mucho Guapo" {{Small|(Hardy featuring Francky Loot and Buta)}} | 2016 |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buta}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Albanian rappers Category:21st-century Albanian male singers Category:Albanian hip-hop singers Category:Albanian songwriters Category:Kosovan rappers Category:Trap musicians Category:Kosovo Albanians Category:Kosovan people of Albanian descent Category:Musicians from Ferizaj Category:Universal Music Group artists