Stine (singer)
Stine | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ernest Duka 29 January 1981[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Spouse | Grazia |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Label | Stine Records |
Ernest Duka (born 29 January 1981), known professionally as Stine, is an Albanian singer, songwriter and record producer. He has been active in the Albanian music industry since the late 1990s.
Early life
Duka was born in Dibër, Albania. As a child he showed an interest in both music and dance and studied piano at a primary music school until the seventh grade, before continuing his education at another school closer to home. During his school years he also practised hip hop dance and taught dance moves to his classmates.[1]
In the late 1990s he began writing his own music. One of his early songs, written during the civil unrest in Albania in 1997, was performed at the secondary school festival "Rin-Fest", held at the Pyramid in Tirana. He experimented with composition at home using a small keyboard and simple recording devices.[1]
Duka spent part of his adolescence in Germany, where he learned the language and took part in artistic activities, including dance competitions, before returning to Albania.[1][2]
Career
Stine first appeared on the Albanian music scene in 1997 as part of the group ETB 57. In 1999, he participated in the festival Vera Fest, where the group won first prize. During a later period in Germany, he continued to be involved in music and dance and has stated that he received awards in local competitions, experiences he has described as important for his artistic development.[3]
Upon his return to Albania, Stine took part in the first edition of the television music festival Top Fest in 2004, in collaboration with ABI (Abigena Levanaj) with the song "Lady Lady", earning first prize. In April 2006, he participated in Top Fest 3 with the song "Ishe Ti", where he received the Internet Award.[3][4][5]
He is the founder of Stine Records, a music studio based in Tirana, where he produces his own material and works with other singers.[3]
In December 2025, Stine joined the fifth season of the reality television show Big Brother VIP Albania as housemate, broadcast on Top Channel.[6]
Personal life
Stine resides in Tirana, where he also operates his studio Stine Records. He has three sisters and one brother who live in Germany.[7] He is married to singer Grazia, with whom he has one daughter.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Stine Biography". Teksteshqip (in Albanian). Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Cfarë do të bëhej Stine nëse nuk do të ishte këngëtar" [What Stine Would Have Been If He Were Not a Singer]. Koha Jonë (in Albanian). 24 November 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ a b c "Intervistë me Stine (Nesti Duka)" [Interview with Stine (Nesti Duka)]. Rruga e Arbërit (in Albanian). 5 September 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Video: Fituesi i edicionit të parë të "Top Fest", Stine rikthehet në ekran" [Video: Winner of the First Edition of “Top Fest”, Stine Returns to the Screen]. Ora News (in Albanian). 21 December 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Stine". Top Awards (in Albanian). Top Channel. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Fituesi i edicionit të parë të "Top Fest", Stine rikthehet në Top Channel për t'u bërë pjesë e Big Brother VIP 5" [Winner of the First Edition of “Top Fest”, Stine Returns to Top Channel to Join Big Brother VIP 5]. Top Channel (in Albanian). 21 December 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Stine dhe Alida flasin hapur: çfarë nuk pëlqejnë tek njëri-tjetri dhe çfarë ndodh në një sherr me Grazian" [Stine and Alida Speak Openly: What They Don’t Like About Each Other and What Happens in an Argument with Grazia]. ABC News Albania (in Albanian). 11 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ ""E njoha kur isha 17 vjeçe" – Partnerja e Stines rrëfen për herë të parë historinë 13-vjeçare me këngëtarin" [”I Met Him When I Was 17” – Stine’s Partner Recalls First Time the 13-Year Relationship with the Singer]. Panorama Plus (in Albanian). 21 November 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2026.