Exclusive Interview with Kastro Zizo – Musician/ Producer
Klevis Bega, professionally known as Kastro Zizo, is an acclaimed Albanian artist whose career spans music, television, film, and media production. Born in 1984 in a politically persecuted community during Albania’s dictatorship, Kastro emerged as a bold creative force during the country’s post-communist transformation. He began his media journey at the age of 13 and quickly rose to prominence as the founder of the legendary music group 2FARM, which revolutionized Balkan music with its genre-blending sound. Over the years, Kastro has written, produced, and directed hundreds of music videos and short films, while also serving as host, editor, and creator of numerous award-winning television and radio programs. As an actor, he starred in Pharmakon, Albania’s official submission to the Oscars in 2012. He holds a degree in physics from Sapienza University in Rome and is the founder of several production companies. A recipient of over 30 national and international awards, including recognition from the U.S. Congress and the Mayor of New York City, Kastro continues to use his art as a platform for cultural advocacy and creative innovation.
NY Glam: You were born and raised in a politically persecuted community during Albania’s dictatorship. How did growing up in that environment shape your artistic voice?
I still remember those quiet Saturday or Sunday afternoons when I would step outside clutching a single slice of bread—sometimes paired with a tomato, and on the rarest, almost “luxurious” occasions, toppedwith a thin remnant of salami left over from some failed export. My eyes always drifted to the other children in their threadbare clothes; their hunger was unmistakable, shining through their hopeful gaze. At that age I didn’t yet grasp what it meant to be “politically persecuted,” to be the child of someone who had dared raise a voice against a crumbling system. I only sensed that the gnawing in our stomachs was somehow intertwined with the absence of freedom. So I did the only thing a child could do: I tore my slice of bread in two and shared it. That simple act— born of a deep awareness of deprivation and fear—forced me to grow up long before my time. It left a
seismic mark on my young soul, awakening me to the depth of human suffering and the resilience of the spirit. From that moment, I knew I would become an “alchemist” of experience, transmuting pain into expression. Art became the vessel through which every unspoken truth, every shadow of fear, and every fragile hope could finally breathe.\
NY Glam: You started your career in media as early as 1997, during a time of national crisis. What pushed you to create in the midst of chaos?
Escape— the need to carve a parallel reality, a tiny pocket-world where I could hide, safely distant from the madness. I refused to be stained by that collective delirium in which everyone—children and adults, women and old men—suddenly brandished a gun, acting out the absurdities of lives torn between two eras. It was all too much, too raw for a child on the brink of adolescence, so I lived inside my little “box.” I still recall how, with bullets hissing through the air in March–April ’97, I walked—happy and smartly dressed—into the television studios to host a children’s show. It felt like a calling: to shield their young minds from the turmoil outside, to gift them a sliver of “normality” so they could learn to laugh again.
NY Glam: 2FARM had massive success in the Balkans. What do you think made the group resonate so deeply with audiences?
In 2001, 2FARM released its debut album—a production by Tar Records, then one of the boldest and most promising labels of the time (now an undisputed monopoly). I believe it was a matter of the right moment, in the right place. As a group, we had spent three years struggling to break into a market that was both artistically stagnant and economically poor. Breaking barriers is never easy—especially for two teenagers with no backing, no connections, just a dream. What resonated, I believe, was the truth we brought with us. Our lyrics didn’t just entertain—the inspired. The music was raw and original, a decadent fusion of rock layered with powerful Western hip- hop undertones. These were experiments—brave ones. And experiments demand courage. We were lucky to succeed—though, in truth, I don’t believe in luck that much. I believe in the kind of fearless fire that burns even when no one’s watching.
NY Glam: You’ve worked across so many mediums—music, film, radio, television. How do you stay creatively energized and balanced?
I believe we are energetic beings, deeply intertwined with the Creator and the universe itself. The key is simply to find the door—and the key to that door—that connects us to the spiritual flow. For me, energy moves fluidly through my physical being, and my senses act merely as the bridge through which it travels. I consider myself a “fortunate” soul—everything I’ve touched, I’ve pursued with passion and brought to life with success. The desire to give, to offer art as a gift to humanity, is what keeps the wellspring from ever running dry… at least, so far.
NY Glam: As a music producer, you’ve helped launch major artists to international stages. What qualities do you look for when producing or managing talent?
Talent is just one part of the equation—it’s like the half-built bridge I mentioned earlier. What completes it is work and artistic discipline. It might sound paradoxical to speak of discipline in the realm of art, but our connection to time and the “right moments” is, in itself, a form of discipline—one that leads to true success. When I work with artists, I look inward—I want to understand what they’re trying to express, what their purpose is in chasing success. I’m interested in how willing they are to place their gifts in service of the
world. And, modestly speaking, I can usually see that spark in their eyes from the very beginning. As for technique or artistic refinement—that’s simply a matter of work. I feel immense joy when I witness the success of the artists I’ve produced or guided along the way. It’s like seeing seeds bloom into something powerful and alive.
NY Glam: Your role in Pharmakon, Albania’s 2012 Oscar submission, marked a milestone in your film career. What did that experience mean to you personally and professionally?
It all began unexpectedly—with a proposal, followed by a screen test. At the time, I had only worked behind the camera on short films and documentaries, mostly as a producer, occasionally as an editor or sound designer. I wasn’t expecting to be cast in a feature film—let alone in a leading role. When I first read the script, I was struck by its depth and complexity. But I was also afraid. The character was the polar opposite of who I am in real life, and that contrast made me hesitate. Still, I was fortunate— immensely so—to work under the direction of the brilliant Joni Shanaj, alongside a stellar cast that included Olta Gixhari and Niko Kanxheri. As always, I approached the work with as much professionalism as I could muster. I didn’t fully grasp what it meant to carry a lead role in a feature film… not until I saw the final product at the premiere. That’s when I truly understood the weight of what we had created. Pharmakon was a critical success. It garnered numerous awards and was chosen to represent Albania at the Oscars in 2012—widely praised as an auteur film destined to endure. Without a doubt, it remains one of the defining milestones of my career. And I owe it all to the extraordinary team behind it. It’s a beautiful artistic memory—one that will accompany me for the rest of my life.
NY Glam: From directing hundreds of music videos to producing film and television, which medium feels most like “home” for you?
Each medium holds its own unique magic, and I’ve cultivated a different passion and approach for each. I feel truly fulfilled when I’m able to navigate across genres—it reminds me that I still have so much to give. What drives me is the desire to contribute, even in the smallest way, to making the world a more beautiful place through art. And when the world becomes richer artistically, I believe it naturally becomes better in our everyday lives as well.
NY Glam: With a degree in physics from Sapienza University, how has your scientific background influenced your creative work?
I believe it’s the foundation of every artistic perspective I hold. The way the world functions through the lens of physics—it is art. I dove deep into it, and soon my perceptions and emotions began to take the shape of numbers and equations. And then, in a beautiful reversal, I was illuminated by the wonders and the “music” of the universe itself. That music—I heard it. And from that moment on, I’ve been trying to translate it, to bring it down to Earth through my art.
NY Glam: You’ve earned over 30 awards throughout your career. Which one holds the most meaning to you—and why?
Each award carries its own weight, meaning, and sense of responsibility—each tied to the moment and the event in which it was received. But if I were to highlight two, it would be the Artist of the Year honor awarded by Capitol Hill and the Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of New York City, Mr. Eric Adams. These two stand out for me—not just for their prestige, but for the deep personal significance they hold. They are symbols of a journey that crossed borders, touched hearts, and found its voice on a global stage.
NY Glam: Your recent recognition by the United States Congress is a huge honor. What does being seen as an influential artist internationally mean for your mission?
It means I’m on the right path—what I call “artivism,” a movement I began through the creation of my non-profit organization, My Future NGO. It’s a mission that needs many ears willing to truly listen. To make politics through art and culture… to help shape a better world for everyone. I deeply believe that if someone loves art, they are already a better human being.
NY Glam: As CEO of multiple production companies, how do you envision the future of Albanian and Balkan creative industries?
The Balkans are, by nature, an inexhaustible well of art and culture—a region overflowing with stories and lived experiences that deserve to be shared with the world. As artificial intelligence continues to dominate the global creative landscape, I believe the Balkans—and
especially Albania—will be among the last to fully embrace it. Not out of resistance, but because there’s simply no urgency. Here, the source is still pure, deeply spiritual, and profoundly human. Our artistic reservoir flows from the soul, not the circuit.
NY Glam: What are you working on now—and what can your fans expect next from Kastro Zizo?
I’m currently working on the creation of a new media platform across the ocean, based in New York —a project dedicated to Albanians and the Balkan community at large.
It will be a cultural and artistic sanctuary, a space built to inspire unity, creativity, and well-being—not just for Balkan people, but for everyone. A bridge between worlds, where identity, expression, and belonging find their voice.
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