N'dahem Sot (Ode to Shpat Kasapi)

N'dahem Sot

N'dahem Sot
Two words in a language 95% of you can't understand.
Two words that signified the last piece of art a man left behind.
A man who was taken by the hands of fate.

He was on vacation to Italy, visiting his family when his heart gave way.
They watched his skin drain of color
They watched his eyes flutter to a close
They watched his chest freeze.
They watched his hands fall beside his body
They watched him take his final breaths.

They watched him die

40 years old.
Completely healthy.
His heart gave up on him
His body gave up on him
Fate took him.
From his family...
From his friends ..

From Albania...

N'dahem Sot

These two words might not seem like much to non native speakers of the Albanian language, but when you translate these two words, you get three very frightening words.
Three very deep words
Three words one can't ignore

And these words are

I'm leaving today

N'dahem Sot

She was 21. She had short brown hair that fell just below her chin.
She had glasses which sat atop her nose, and magnified her caramel brown eyes which beamed with so much vibrance and light
She had an infectious laugh and smile that lit up every room she entered
She was healthy
But fate took her.
Fate stopped her heart while she rested in her bed.
She said "goodnight mom. Goodnight dad. I'll see you in the morning" unaware that no. She wouldn't see them in the morning....

N'dahem Sot

Shpat and Jackie, they weren't too different from each other, but drastically different at the same time.
Shpat was an Albanian celebrity whom many in the nation looked up to.
The ones lucky enough to work alongside him during his short life have had the best things to say.
Jackie was a special needs college girl from central Minnesota, she lived with her family, she had friends in Special Olympics. I was one of these friends.

N'dahem Sot

Both deaths shocked those around them.
No one in my community thought Jackie would die.
Not like this...
I found out through a friend I hadn't spoken to in months.
"Hey. Did you know Jackie passed away?"
I froze. This was a prank. It had to be a prank.
No...
It wasn't a prank...
It wasn't a prank for us close to Jackie....
It wasn't a prank for those close to Shpat....
It was real...
Both were young
Both were healthy
Both were taken by fate
Both left a permanent scar on their communities...

N'dahem Sot

When I was around four years old, I created a world in my head where even after the ones closest to you took their last breaths and left this world, they could still be saved.
There was still hope
There were supernatural powers which could breathe life back into those who were unfortunate to have it taken from them far too soon .

It's easy to create alternate realities like this.
But it's a whole nother level of difficult to open your eyes and realize it's not real.
Shpat Kasapi is gone
Jackie is gone
They will never breathe again
Their bodies are cold, buried, decaying....

N'dahem Sot

Fate is cruel.
Fate seems to love taking those who deserve it the least!
All the pedophiles!
All the rapists!
All the terrorists!
All the serial murderers!
They still get to live!
They still get to breathe the same air we do!
Shpat Kasapi did nothing wrong!
Jackie did nothing wrong!
Yet fate took them both
Fate selfishly stopped their clocks and laid then down for eternal slumber
Just because it felt like it!!!

N'dahem Sot...

N'dahem Sot was a song written and released by Shpat Kasapi on October 9th. 2025. Exactly one month and seventeen days before he would run out of air.
Did he know something?
Did someone or something tell him that his time was almost up and he needed to say goodbye while he still had air in his lungs
While he still had beats in his heart?
He had to know.
The last thing Shpat left behind

I'm leaving today

N'dahem Sot

Was this true for everyone?
No
It couldn't be
Jackie didn't know.
Did she?
I guess we'll never know...
But Shpat knew.
He had to know.
It makes no sense that he wouldn't know!
He hasn't released much of anything since 2021... Until N'dahem Sot

I'm leaving today

N'dahem Sot.....

I always tell those close to me that if some tragic accident happens to me, and I am taken from this earth against my will, and I can see my loved ones, but they cannot see me,
I tell them I'll always be right here!
I'll always be in their hearts!
I'll hold them at their lowest of moments!
I'll celebrate with them at their highest of moments!
At night. I'll hug them tight and say "I love you, and I'm always here!"
But....
What if.... Those who proceed us in death.... Are not here?
What if all that remains is a hole where they used to be?
Where Shpat Kasapi used to be??
Where Jackie used to be??
No.... That can't be right...
I still see Jackie in my dreams...
And I hope that Shpat's loved ones see him too...
Hear him...
Feel him...

N'dahem Sot

So... My advice to you is to open your hearts.
Hold on to those whom you are closest to
Let go of the hate.
Swallow your pride.
Forgive, but don't forget
Because at the end of the day
The person sitting right next to you could spontaneously composed at any given second.
You never know when their time will run out.
You never know when they'll close their eyes for the final time
You never know when they'll lay their heads to rest and never wake up again.

You never know.

You never will

None of Jackie's friends and family knew
None of Shpat Kasapi's friends and family knew
No.... Not until it was too late...

N'dahem Sot...

I will never forget the impact that Jackie had on my high school days
The lunchtimes she made not just bearable but enjoyable when I had no one left.
The games and events we would compete in together.
The laughter.
Her
Jackie...

N'dahem Sot

And I, along with Albania, will never forget the impact that Shpat Kasapi had on the world.
His music will forever remain accessible to everyone
His voice can still be heard when you turn up the radio
His emotions can still be felt in his lyrics
His melodies, his truths, his feelings
Him...
Shpat Kasapi....

Shpat Kasapi may not be  physically here
Jackie may not be psychically here
But they are still here!
They are still among us, cheering us on!
Wishing for us to not dwell on their departure!
Wishing for us not to move on from them, but to let go of the pain.
Let go of their flesh
Let go of their blood
And hold onto their souls
Because souls can never die!
Souls will always be a part of us as long as there are people to remember them!

We will NEVER forget Jackie
We will NEVER forget Shpat Kasapi
They live on
Even after death!

They are not gone
They're just waiting on they other side until we're ready...

N'dahem Sot....