Watch: Mużika Mużika winner Jasmine says song reflected her life journey

Updated 2.45pm with the singer's comments.

Jasmine Abela won the sixth edition of the Mużika Mużika festival on Saturday night with her song Nistaqsi, a song which she said reflected her own journey as a singer. 

This was the second time the 27-year-old singer appeared in the popular festival. In 2023, she came third with M’hawnx bħalek.

Three years on, Abela won the hearts of the judges and the public and took home the top Mużika Mużika prize of €20,000.

Speaking to Times of Malta, Abela said Nistaqsi, composed by Glen Vella and authored by Philp Vella, is about the ups and downs people face and the questions they ask about their future. 

“We have all experienced a time in our lives when we questioned everything, especially when we are younger. We wondered whether we would have a good career, have a family, and what life would look like,” she said.

She said the song reflected those questions, but stressed the importance of self-belief to overcome the fears of the unknown. 

“As I sang this song, I couldn’t help but think about my own life journey,” she said. “I always wanted to be a singer, and I competed in many different competitions. Many times people would message me saying, 'how I wish you won', or 'you really deserved to win', but it never happened, until now”.

Abela performed in Malta’s Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 and 2018, and also appeared on X-Factor Malta Season 2. Earlier this year, she participated once again in X-Factor Malta's ‘Back to Win’ edition.

Following Saturday’s win, Abela has been overwhelmed with encouraging messages about her performance and the song. “So many people have been messaging me saying, 'At last! You won!' it’s all still sinking in,” she said.

Abela said she was honoured to perform in such a prestigious competition.

“The festival is so well organised, and there were so many good singers and songs, and the feedback is always so positive,” she said.

Asked whether she had thought she would win, she said she never expected anything. "I give my all, but the results are not in my control. I fully believed in the song, and I gave my heart to this performance.”

Abela now plans to spend the rest of the year focusing on writing her own original music, with hopes of releasing an EP or album.

Niftakarna by Daniel Cauchi came second on Saturday and Int u Jien by Kevin Paul was third.

Mużika Mużika is produced by Festivals Malta to promote songs in the Maltese language. Performances are held before a live orchestra.

This year’s edition, held at the convention centre in Ta’ Qali, was compered by last year’s winner Jamie Cardona with Ira Losco, Jacqui Losco and Keith Demicoli.

Sixteen finalists took part, performing their songs on Thursday and again on Saturday. The singers sang Maltese classics on Friday.

Popular local band Tribali were guests in the final night.