Dukagjin Lipa, father and manager of global music star Dua Lipa, has spoken about his daughter’s career, her strong connection to Kosovo and their close personal and professional relationship in an interview with Croatian television programme RTL Direkt. “When it comes to creative decisions, Dua always has the final say,” he said.
From Kosovo to the world’s biggest stages, Dua Lipa has become one of the most successful names in international music. Her achievements reflect a career built on talent, hard work and dedication, as well as a strong connection to her country of origin, which she has consistently kept in the spotlight.
Her upcoming performance at the Coachella festival is expected to mark another milestone, as she is set to become the first British artist to headline the prestigious event. Two years ago, she further cemented her position among the world’s biggest music stars with her performance at Glastonbury.
Beyond producing international chart-topping hits, Dua has also used her global profile to promote Kosovo internationally.
Her father, Dukagjin Lipa, has played an important role in this effort. In addition to managing her career, he has been by her side since its early stages. He is also the founder and organiser of the Sunny Hill Festival in Prishtina, which has brought internationally renowned artists to Kosovo over the years, including Miley Cyrus, Peggy Gou and Katy Perry.
During a visit to Zagreb, where he attended a conference on the development of the Sunny Hill Festival, Dukagjin gave an exclusive interview to RTL Direkt, discussing his daughter’s success, their relationship as father and manager, and the role music can play in promoting Kosovo.
“Musicians and athletes can do much more for a country than politicians”
Asked whether Dua Lipa would accompany him on his visit to Zagreb, Dukagjin explained that she had been unable to join him on this occasion.
He also spoke about his connection to the region, recalling that he had spent considerable time in Sarajevo during his university studies.
Discussing Sunny Hill and the impact a music festival can have on Kosovo’s international image, he said that art and sport have a unique ability to bring people together.
“I believe musicians and athletes, not only when it comes to Kosovo but in any country, can do much more than politicians. That is my personal opinion,” he said.
Asked whether his daughter or politicians and diplomats had contributed more to raising Kosovo’s profile internationally, Lipa described it as a difficult question.
“Promoting a country and presenting it in the best possible light is a shared responsibility. Dua promotes Kosovo in the best way she can, while we try to do the same through the Sunny Hill Festival,” he said.
He emphasised that their efforts to promote Kosovo are voluntary and are not tied to any agreement or financial support from state institutions.
“We are proud of what we are doing for Kosovo. We do it because we believe our country deserves to be presented as we see it and know it,” he said.
Reflecting on the 1980s and 1990s in the former Yugoslavia, Dukagjin recalled that misunderstandings and a lack of awareness between communities were widespread at the time. According to him, many people were unfamiliar with the reality of Kosovo Albanians and viewed them as an entirely different people.
“Today, we have the opportunity to promote our country, showcase its hospitality and beauty, and demonstrate that Kosovo has always welcomed people with open arms,” he added.
From Prishtina to London: A journey shaped by political circumstances
During the interview, Dukagjin also looked back on his departure from Kosovo in 1992 due to the political circumstances of the time.
He explained that he decided to move to London, although it was not the most common destination for Albanians leaving Kosovo for economic reasons.
“If you were emigrating for economic reasons, you would usually go to Switzerland, Germany, the United States or the Scandinavian countries. I left Kosovo because of political problems and went to London,” he recalled.
London appealed to him because of its music and arts scene, describing it as a city whose atmosphere and cultural life were easy to fall in love with.
He also revealed that during that period he had been stranded in Sarajevo with his then-girlfriend, who is now his wife.
Looking back on the journey his family has made over the years, he said he was pleased that they could now return to Kosovo and contribute to raising its international profile.
“Dua and I know each other very well”
One of the most interesting parts of the interview focused on his relationship with Dua, given that he is both her father and her manager.
Asked whether combining these roles creates difficulties or conflicts between her professional career and private life, Dukagjin said they had managed to establish a healthy balance.
“Dua and I are in a unique position, both professionally and personally. We are very close, understand each other extremely well and have worked together since she was a child. That is why we understand the boundaries between work and private life very well,” he explained.
He said that no important decision concerning the singer’s career is made without her knowledge and involvement.
“We always make decisions in consultation with Dua. She is informed about everything related to her work, business and career. No decision is made without her knowledge,” Lipa said.
He added that many matters do not require lengthy discussions, as they can immediately rule out proposals that are not feasible because of scheduling commitments or other reasons.
However, important decisions are always discussed and made together.
Asked who has the final say, his answer was brief and telling: “Always her!”
He said Dua had never asked him to stay out of her professional affairs because they both understand how their partnership works. Nevertheless, when it comes to creative decisions and artistic direction, the final decision always belongs to the singer.
What is Dua Lipa like away from the cameras and the stage?
Although Dua’s life is constantly under public scrutiny, her father says the family makes an effort to ensure she enjoys as normal a life as possible.
According to him, fame has not distanced the singer from the people and things that were part of her life before international success.
“If you follow her on social media, you can see what she is really like. She spends a lot of time with her childhood friends, who remain her best friends today. She devotes a lot of time to her family, her brother and sister, goes to restaurants and enjoys life in a completely ordinary way,” he said.
Dukagjin stressed that having a good circle of people and friends helps Dua stay grounded despite her enormous fame and success.
“We mix languages at home, but all three children speak fluent Albanian”
The conversation also touched on the languages spoken in the Lipa household.
Asked whether the family speaks Albanian at home, Dukagjin explained that they use a mixture of languages but confirmed that all three of his children speak Albanian fluently.
He also revealed that he can speak Croatian, although with a Bosnian accent, adding another interesting dimension to the interview for audiences across the region.
His message to young people: The future is in their hands
Towards the end of the interview, the discussion turned to political developments in the region.
Asked about political changes in Serbia and the role of students in shaping the country’s future, Lipa chose not to comment on the domestic politics of another country.
However, he said he was always pleased to see young people taking responsibility and becoming actively involved in shaping the future.
“The world is changing, and human nature must evolve as well. As we have always said, the future is in the hands of young people. We can only hope that the new generations will bring positive changes to every country,” he concluded.
