Vjollca Robelli Mripa is an Albanian singer and composer based in London.
A Kosovan born artist, a well known former TV presenter and journalist. She takes inspiration from her Albanian heritage, elevating the craft and emotion of traditional folk music into an innovative, jazz-infused territory. She is an advocate of Albanian heritage and her work passionately evolves around the culture of her motherland, through her music she incorporates the dances, folktales, costumes, history and traditions of her land. In 2002, Vjollca first came to prominence in Kosova and Albania when she released an exceptionally successful single under her real name, Vjollca Robelli. The song – called ‘AJO’ – was dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDs pandemic, and won many accolades. It topped the charts on many TV and radio stations, came second in the regional ‘BBC Top of the Pops’, won ‘Best Rock Video’ at Videofest and Vjollca was nominated as a Youth Music Ambassador that same year, becoming an inspiration for many young girls and empowering women through her music. Seventeen years on, the song retains its popularity, which led Vjollca to adopt the stage name AJO, meaning ‘SHE’.
AJO moved to London in 2004 to study vocal, music and media management, and eventually settled here to raise four children with her husband, Urim Mripa. Alongside with her husband they runs a successful Company Dot bespoke LTD, bespoke furniture , 3D technical detailed design, manufacture and specialist.