Avant-garde, bold, patriotic, and urban, this is how the late soloist of the group Illyrians, Shemsi Krasniqi – Shemi, was remembered by the artistic community, friends, and family during a commemorative meeting on Tuesday at the National Theater of Kosovo in Prishtina.

Naser Gjinovci, soloist of the group Minatori, described Shemi as a multidimensional professional and shared numerous memories, from studio recordings to shared moments in everyday life.

"Shemi laid the first layer of Prishtina’s urban music scene with the hit 'Merita' and later 'Moj Zogo.' These were our first steps, followed by recordings with a voice we had never heard before, in songs like 'Jam për dreq' and 'Flora.'

Until then, the sound of the guitar and such vocal expression was new to us," Gjinovci recalled.

Acting Minister of Culture Hajrulla Çeku emphasized that Shemi’s contribution extended beyond music to social impact.

"Shemi’s work with the group Illyrians was unifying during the most difficult periods of the 1980s and 1990s. Both avant-garde and patriotic, Shemi was an icon of Albanian rock," Çeku said.

Singer Kastriot Grajcevci, Shemi’s nephew, highlighted his uncle’s courage and dedication to creating music that resonated with the homeland.

"In 1990, Shemi and Illyrians brought us 'Zgjohu moj Kosovë,' a song that became more than an album; it became the voice of a generation. Each sound carried attitude, every verse had dignity, and every chorus was a call to rise, transforming fear into courage," Grajcevci said.

News of Shemi’s death was announced yesterday. According to the 24-hour report from the Kosovo Police, he was found in his apartment unconscious after his health had deteriorated following a heart attack.