Relja Popović

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Relja Popović
Born
Relja Popović

(1989-08-02) 2 August 1989 (age 34)
Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia
Occupations
  • Actor
  • rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record executive
Years active2005–present
PartnerNikolija (2014-present)
Children2
Musical career
Genres
Labels
  • IDJTunes
  • Made In BLKN
Formerly of

Relja Popović (Serbian Cyrillic: Реља Поповић, born on 2 August 1989) is a Serbian actor, rapper and singer. Before pursuing a solo career with the single "Beograd još živi" (2015), he rose to prominence as the member of the hip hop duo Elitni Odredi, alongside Vlada Matović. He is the co-founder of the record label Made In BLKN Records.

As an actor, he is recognized for his performances in the movies Ordinary People (2009) and The Parade (2011). Popović became the youngest winner of the Heart of Sarajevo award for his role in Ordinary People. In 2021, he joined the cast of the television series Besa.

Early life[edit]

Popović was born on August 2, 1989, in Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia. His mother, Zoja Begolli (née Đoković), was a ballet dancer at the National Theatre in Belgrade and lecturer at the Academy of Arts,[1][2] and his father, Srđan Popović, worked as a sports journalist for the daily newspaper Večernje novosti.[3] Popović lost his father in 1991.[3] He grew up in the Paviljoni neighborhood of New Belgrade. Relja stated that he found passion for hip-hop as a child, being exposed by his older brother Miša to artists such as Eminem, Jay-Z and Juice.[4]

Popović graduated from the High School of Hospitality and Tourism in downtown Belgrade. In May 2008, he was shot in stomach while defending his girl friend from a middle age man at a pub, and had his kidney and spleen removed because of it. The assaulter was subsequently sentenced to six and a half years in prison.[3][5]

Career[edit]

Music[edit]

Popović began his professional music career in 2005 alongside his childhood friend Vladimir Matović, as a part of Elitni Odredi.[6] Together they released one studio album, titled Oko sveta (2010), and several standalone singles. Elitni Odredi broke to mainstream attention in 2011 with the singles "Kao kokain" and "Beograd". They were one of the first urban artists to perform for Serbian diaspora in the European Union and Australia. At the beginning of 2015, Elitni Odredi eventually announced their disbandment to focus on solo projects.[7]

Following the duo's hiatus, Popović pursued a solo career with the release of the single "Beograd još živi" in April 2015.[8] It was succeeded with a series of other standalone singles during the next couple of years, including "Crni sin" featuring Coby and Cvija, released in May 2016. The song's music video, which has garnered over 50 million views, has been credited as the most expensive one done by IDJVideos production.[9][10] Relja and Coby also partnered with singer Stoja for "Samo jako" in April 2017. Their collaboration has collected over 70 million views on YouTube.[11]

With the release of the single "Princeza na belom" in June 2019, Popović announced his debut body of work Made In BLKN.[12] During the rest of the year, it was followed by four other singles: "Meduza" featuring Nikolija, "Takvi kao ja", "Tuga iz Porschea" and "Made in Balkan", which were all featured on the first part of the album. In July 2019, Popović held his first major solo concert during the Ulaz music festival in Belgrade.[13] At the beginning of 2020, he established Made In BLKN Records in distribution deal with IDJTunes. The first release under the newly founded label was "Maria" in March. The company was also expanded to a clothing brand in 2021.[14] In July 2020, he collaborated with Rasta on "Genge".[15] The music video has amassed over 50 million views on YouTube.[16] It was followed by "Offline" featuring Devito, "Manije" and "Kraj je", which alongside "Maria" and "Genge" were included to the second part of his debut solo project.

In April 2022, he released two more duets with Devito, titled "Omađijala" and "Do zore".[17] "Omađijala" peaked at number 2 on Billboard's Croatia Songs chart, whilst the music video has collected over 40 million views.[18] In March, Popović alongside Teodora Džehverović and Darko Dimitrov was announced as a judge and coach on the singing competition series IDJ Show.[19] In June, his contestant Amna Alajbegović was declared the season winner.[20] The following month, Relja collaborated with Nucci on the single "Zovite doktore", which was inspired by his early works with Elitni Odredi.[21] It peaked at number 8 in Croatia. In late August 2022, Popović performed at the Music Week Festival in Ušće, Belgrade.[22] In January 2024, he released "Sve si znala", which became his first single to rise atop of the Croatia Songs chart. Popović alongside Marija Šerifović is set to perform at the Red Bull SoundClash concert in Belgrade on June 22, 2024.[23]

Acting[edit]

Popović made his on screen debut in the short film Dremano oko (2003), directed by Vladimir Perišić. He continued working with Perišić on his full-length feature film Ordinary People from 2009. For his performance in the movie, Popović earned the Best Actor Award at the 19th Cottbus East European Film Festival and at the Sarajevo Film Festival, making him the youngest recipient of the Heart of Sarajevo award.[24][25]

He was cast in the 2011 film The Parade, directed by Srđan Dragojević.[26] The movie was enlisted as the fourth biggest Serbian box office success in the 2010s.[27] Serbian LGBT portal GayEcho also nominated Popović for the male gay icon of 2011 because of his performance in the film, which he ultimately lost to Bosnian model Andreja Pejić.[28]

In December 2021, Popović was introduced to the second season of the crime drama series Besa.[29] He starred in the main role of Videoteka, directed by Luka Bursać, which premiered during the 2024 FEST.[30]

Personal life[edit]

Popović graduated from the Faculty of Media and Communications at the Singidunum University and also studied acting at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade.[31][3]

He has been in a relationship with singer Nikolija Jovanović since Elitni Odredi collaborated with her on the single "Alkohola litar" in 2014. Together they have two daughters, born in 2016 and 2021.[32][33]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

List of performances of Relja Popović in film
Title Year Role
Dremano oko 2003 Boy
Ordinary People 2009 Johnny
The Parade 2011 Vuk
Videoteka 2024 Sale

Television[edit]

List of performances of Relja Popović on television
Title Year Role Notes
Besa 2021-present Igi Season 2; main character
IDJ Show 2022-present Himself As judge & mentor

Discography[edit]

Singles[edit]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and showing year released
Title Year Peak chart positions
CRO
[34]
"Beograd još živi" 2015 *
"Hoću da se napijem"
"Opet te nema"
(featuring Boban Rajović)
"Pakao od žene"
"Crni sin"
(featuring Cvija and Coby) 		2016
"Trošim pare"
"Lom" 2017
"Samo jako"
(featuring Coby and Stoja)
"Adrenalina"
"Dolce Vita" 2018
"Mi Amor"
"Princeza na belom" 2019
"Meduza"
(featuring Nikolija)
"Takvi kao ja"
"Tuga iz Porschea"
"Made in Balkan"
"Maria" 2020
"Genge"
(featuring Rasta)
"Offline"
(featuring Devito)
"Manije" 2021
"Kraj je"
"Oguccio sam je"
(featuring Eevke and 8Nula8)
"Do zore"
(featuring Devito) 		2022 —
"Omađijala"
(featuring Devito) 		2
"Dizajner" —
"Zovite doktore"
(featuring Nucci) 		8
"Pati pati" —
"Ljubi brat" 21
"Turira" (feat. Rasta) 2023 11
"Fatalna" 16
"Hladno leto" —
"Ola ola" (feat. Devito) 14
"Sve si znala" 2024 1

Awards and nominations[edit]

Acting[edit]

List of awards nominated for or won by Relja Popović for acting performances
Year Award Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
2009 Sarajevo Film Festival Best Actor Himself (Ordinary People) Won [25]
Cottbus Film Festival of Young East European Cinema Outstanding Actor Won [24]

Music[edit]

List of awards nominated for or won by Relja Popović for music
Year Award Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
2020 Music Awards Ceremony Trap Collaboration of the Year "Meduza" (Relja feat. Nikolija) Nominated [35]
2023 New Age Collaboration "Omađijala" (Devito feat. Relja) Nominated

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Relja Popović je nedavno izgubio majku, a malo ko zna da je bila jedna od najvećih umetnica Jugoslavije!". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 6 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Relja Popović: Bolan oproštaj od majke". Gloria (in Serbian). 20 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Stoisavljević, L. (27 December 2021). "Relja Popović sa suzama u očima o roditeljima i poreklu: Oca nisam zapamtio". Nova S (in Serbian).
  4. ^ Mondo Portal (16 February 2020). "Relja: Ja sam jedini bacao rime, Vlada je jedini pisao - ostalo je istorija! (THCF Podcast)". YouTube (in Serbian).
  5. ^ Manojlović, J. ""Izvadio je pištolj i naslonio mi ga na glavu": Relja Popović je nakon ovog incidenta proveo deset dana u šok sobi". Nova S (in Serbian). Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Ovako je izgledao početak grupe "Elitni Odredi"". Idjtv.nova.rs (in Serbian). 16 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  7. ^ Dejanović, M. (7 May 2021). "Otkrivamo da li će se opet spojiti Elitni odredi". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Relja iz "Elitnih odreda" predstavio spot, Nikolija blistala, a Vlada nije došao!". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 14 April 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  9. ^ "CVIJA & RELJA FEAT. COBY - CRNI SIN (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 2K". YouTube (in Serbian). 11 May 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  10. ^ Živković, A. (19 November 2016). "Ovo su najskuplji spotovi IDJVideos produkcije". Tracara.com (in Serbian). Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  11. ^ "RELJA X COBY X STOJA - SAMO JAKO (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 4K". YouTube (in Serbian). 22 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Poslušajte prvi singla Relje Popovića sa albuma Made in Balkan". Tracara.com (in Serbian). 13 June 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Relja i Nikolija po prvi put nastupili zajedno i napravili žurku za pamćenje". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 13 April 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  14. ^ Dejanović, M. (15 April 2021). "Relja Popović pokrenuo svoju modnu liniju". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  15. ^ Jovovic, P. (24 July 2020). "Relja i Rasta objavili duet posle deset godina druženja". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  16. ^ "RELJA X RASTA - GENGE (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube (in Serbian). 23 July 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  17. ^ M. V. (20 April 2022). ""Kao sa druge planete": Novi duet Relje i Devita zapalio Jutjub!". IDJ TV (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  18. ^ "DEVITO X RELJA - OMADJIJALA (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube (in Serbian). 20 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  19. ^ Lazić, N. (10 March 2022). "Relja Popović za Nova.rs o IDJ Show: Neću padati na suze takmičara". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  20. ^ Krkeljić, B. (12 June 2022). "Amna Alajbegović je pobednica IDJShow-a". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  21. ^ Radulović, Z. (20 July 2022). "Relja Popović se vratio počecima: Snimio duet sa Nućijem koji podseća na pesme Elitnih Odreda". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  22. ^ Marinović, M. (29 August 2022). "Veliko finale Music Week-a: Za tri dana više od 250.000 posetilaca na Ušću". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Marija Šerifović protiv Relje u Luci Beograd - Okršaj koji se ne propušta!". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  24. ^ a b Prot, B. (18 November 2009). "Cottbus chooses extra-Ordinary prize-winner". Cineuropa.org. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  25. ^ a b Katavić, I. (2 August 2009). "Završen Sarajevo Film Festival". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Bosnian). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  26. ^ Biljman, T. & Ilić, N. (11 March 2012). "Wannabe intervju: Relja Popović". Wannabe Magazine (in Serbian). Retrieved 8 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Savanović, D. (13 October 2020). "Ovo su najgledaniji domaći filmovi u protekloj deceniji: Koji vam je omiljeni?". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  28. ^ Živković, P. (6 January 2012). "Ko je muška gej ikona 2011?". Tracara.com (in Serbian). Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Relja Popović glumi u novoj sezoni serije "Besa"". Prva.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  30. ^ Jovović, P. (17 April 2024). "„Videoteka" stiže na velika platna širom Srbije: Relja Popović u glavnoj ulozi u novom filmu za koje se traži karta više". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Alumni fakulteta za medije i komunikaciju". fmk.singidunum.ac.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  32. ^ Stoisavljević, L. (20 July 2021). "Nikolija izašla iz porodilišta, ne želi da otkrije ime bebe". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  33. ^ Jovannović, D. (30 December 2022). "Nikolija je ovako osvojila Relju: Ja sam svoja, žene se prešaltaju na drugi jezik". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  34. ^ Peak chart positions in Croatia:
  35. ^ "GLASANJE" (in Serbian). Music Awards Ceremony. December 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
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