Relja Popović
Serbian rapper and actor (born 1989)

Relja Popović
Реља Поповић
Popović in 2012
Born (1989-08-02) 2 August 1989 (age 36)
Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia
Other namesDrima
Occupations
  • Actor
  • rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record executive
Years active2005–present
Partner(s)Nikolija Jovanović
(2014–present)
Children2
Musical career
Genres
Labels
  • IDJTunes
  • Made In BLKN
Formerly of
Musical artist

Relja Popović (Serbian Cyrillic: Реља Поповић; born 2 August 1989) is a Serbian musician and actor. He first rose to prominence as a member of the hip-hop duo Elitni Odredi with fellow rapper Vlada Matović. Formed in 2005, Elitno Odredi released numerous hit singles and one album, Oko sveta (2010). After their disbandment in 2015, Relja pursued a solo career. His debut album, Hotel Jugoslavija, was released in 2025. Popović 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. Additionally, Relja has served as a judge and coach on the singing competition show IDJ Show since 2022.

Early life

Popović was born on 2 August 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] His father, Srđan Popović, worked as a sports journalist for the daily newspaper Večernje novosti.[3] Popović lost his father in 1991, and his mother remarried to Kosovar actor Faruk Begolli, whom she divorced after 17 years of marriage. She died in 2017.[3][4] Popović 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.[5]

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 in 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][6]

Career

Elitni Odredi and early acting ventures

Popović began his professional music career in 2005 alongside his childhood friend Vladimir Matović, as a part of Elitni Odredi.[7] 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.[8]

Regarding his acting beginnings, 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. His performance in this movie earned Popović the Best Actor Award at Cottbus East European Film Festival and at Sarajevo Film Festival, making him the youngest recipient of the Heart of Sarajevo award.[9][10] In 2011, he also starred in The Parade, directed by Srđan Dragojević.[11] The movie was enlisted as the fourth biggest box office success of Serbian cinematography in the 2010s.[12]

2015-2025: Solo music beginnings, Made In BLKN, Hotel Jugoslavija

Following the duo's hiatus, Popović pursued a solo career with the release of his first single "Beograd još živi" in April 2015.[13] During the next couple of years, it was succeeded by a series of other standalone singles, which included hit songs like "Crni sin" (2016) featuring Coby and Cvija, "Samo jako" (2017) featuring Coby and Stoja, "Latino Evropa" (2018) and "Mi Amor" (2018). In 2019, Relja announced his debut album, titled Made In Balkan. The project ended up consisting of ten songs that were also released as standalone singles. The first part, released in 2019, included singles - "Princeza na belom", "Meduza" featuring Nikolija, "Takvi kao ja", "Tuga iz Porschea" and "Made In Balkan".[14] In July 2019, the songs were promoted at Ulaz music festival in Belgrade.[15] The following year, Popović established Made In BLKN Records in distribution deal with IDJTunes. The company was also expanded to a clothing brand in 2021.[16] Between 2020 and 2021, Relja released singles form the second part of his debut project - "Maria", "Genge" featuring Rasta, "Offline" featuring Devito, "Manije" and "Kraj je". In December 2021, Popović joined the cast of the crime drama series Besa.[17]

The following March, he was announced as a judge and coach on the singing competition IDJ Show.[18] His contestant Amna Alajbegović went on to the win the first season in June 2022.[19] Same year, Relja also collaborated with Devito on the singles "Omađijala" and "Do zore", and with Nucci on "Zovite doktore".[20] Both "Omađijala" and "Zovite doktore" were top-ten singles in Croatia, peaking at number two and eight, respectively. In August 2022, Popović performed at Music Week Festival in Ušće, Belgrade.[21] In January 2024, Popović scored his first Billboard number one single with the song "Sve si znala", which peaked atop of Croatia Songs chart. Later that year, he had a lead role in the movie "Videoteka", which had its premier at 2024 FEST.[22][23] On 22 May 2024, he released a six-track EP, titled Stroberi.[citation needed] The following month, Relja performed at the Red Bull SoundClash concert in Belgrade against Marija Šerifović.[24][25]

On 30 May 2025, Popović released his debut album, Hotel Jugoslavija, a decade after he had pursued a solo career.[26] The album received positive reception and charted in Austria and Switzerland.[27] Music video for the track "Baš ti se sviđa" with Nikolija was also named the "most controversial moment in Balkan pop culture" of 2025 by Vogue Adria, due to its highly polarizing sex positive message.[28]

Personal life

Popović graduated from the Faculty of Media and Communications at the Singidunum University and also studied acting at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade.[29][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.[30][31]

Filmography

Film

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

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

Studio albums

List of studio albums, showing release date, label and track listings
Title Details Peak chart positions Notes
AUT
[32] 		SUI
[33]
Hotel Jugoslavija
  • Released: 30 May 2025
  • Label: Made in BLKN
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 13 48
Track listing
  • No.TitleLength
    1."Dobri umiru mladi" 
    2."Zverka" (featuring 8nula8 and Eevke) 
    3."Limiti" 
    4."Baš ti se sviđa" (featuring Nikolija) 
    5."Prvi kraj" 
    6."Hektar" 
    7."Slatka so" 
    8."Sex mashina" 
    9."Zvecka oružje" (featuring Đorđe) 
    10."Gde je Bog" 
    Total length:27:57

Extended plays

List of extended plays (EPs), showing release date, label, chart positions and track listings
Title Details Peak chart positions Notes
AUT
[32] 		SUI
[33]
Stroberi
  • Released: 22 May 2024
  • Label: Made in BLKN
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 43 77
Track listing
  • No.TitleLength
    1."Slavija" (featuring Aurah) 
    2."Ribe zločeste" 
    3."Ma bolje sam" 
    4."OMB" (with Nucci) 
    5."12xJanuar" (with Đana) 
    6."Za tobom lud" 

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and showing year released
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CRO
Billb.
[34]
"Beograd još živi" 2015 * Non-album singles
"Hoću da se napijem"
"Opet te nema"
(featuring Boban Rajović)
"Pakao od žene"
"Crni sin"
(with Cvija featuring Coby) 		2016 Heroji
"Trošim pare" Non-album singles
"Lom" 2017
"Samo jako"
(featuring Coby and Stoja)
"Adrenalina"
"Dolce vita" 2018
"Mi amor"
"Princeza na belom" 2019 Made in Balkan[35][36][37]
"Meduza"
(featuring Nikolija)
"Takvi kao ja"
"Tuga iz Porschea"
"Made in Balkan"
"Maria" 2020
"Genge"
(with Rasta)
"Offline"
(with Devito)
"Manije" 2021
"Kraj je"
"Oguccio sam je"
(with Eevke and 8nula8) 		Non-album singles
"Omađijala"
(with Devito) 		2022 2
"Do zore"
(with Devito) 		—
"Dizajner" —
"Zovite doktore"
(with Nucci) 		8
"Pati pati" —
"Ljubi brat" 21
"Turira"
(with Rasta) 		2023 11
"Fatalna" 16
"Hladno leto" —
"Ola ola"
(with Devito) 		14
"Sve si znala" 2024 1
"Nemir"
(with Nataša Bekvalac) 		—
"Bez tebe" 2025 —
"Habibi"
(with Maya Berović) 		—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
"*" denotes a recording released before the chart's launch.
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and showing year released
Title Year Album
"Pištolj"
(Kendi featuring Relja) 		2023 Dodirne tačke
"Mami mami"
(Link featuring Relja and Rasta) 		2024 Non-album single

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions and showing year released
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CRO
Billb.
[34]
"Htela je da zna"
(Devito featuring Relja) 		2023 — Plava krv
"12xJanuar"
(with Đana) 		2024 22 Stroberi
"OMB"
(with Nucci) 		6
"Zapali grad" (Remix) — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and showing year released
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CRO
Billb.
[34]
"Za tobom lud" 2024 8 Stroberi
"Preko linije"
(Nucci featuring Relja) 		19 Zamena za bol
"Baš ti se sviđa"
(featuring Nikolija) 		2025 3 Hotel Jugoslavija
"Limiti" 21
"Sex mashina" 23

Awards and nominations

List of awards nominated for or won by Relja Popović
Year Award Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
2009 Sarajevo Film Festival Best Actor Himself (Ordinary People) Won [10]
Cottbus Film Festival of Young East European Cinema Outstanding Actor Won [9]
2020 Music Awards Ceremony Trap Collaboration of the Year "Meduza" Nominated [38]
2023 New Age Collaboration "Omađijala" Nominated

References

  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. ^ Neziraj, Jeton (15 April 2022). "Faruk Begoli: Voleo je Prištinu, Beograd i Zoju, a jednom izjavom izazvao je gnev na Kosovu". Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  5. ^ Mondo Portal (16 February 2020). "Relja: Ja sam jedini bacao rime, Vlada je jedini pisao - ostalo je istorija! (THCF Podcast)". YouTube (in Serbian).
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Ovako je izgledao početak grupe "Elitni Odredi"". Idjtv.nova.rs (in Serbian). 16 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  8. ^ Dejanović, M. (7 May 2021). "Otkrivamo da li će se opet spojiti Elitni odredi". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  9. ^ a b Prot, B. (18 November 2009). "Cottbus chooses extra-Ordinary prize-winner". Cineuropa.org. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  10. ^ a b Katavić, I. (2 August 2009). "Završen Sarajevo Film Festival". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Bosnian). Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  11. ^ 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)
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Relja iz "Elitnih odreda" predstavio spot, Nikolija blistala, a Vlada nije došao!". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 14 April 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Poslušajte prvi singla Relje Popovića sa albuma Made in Balkan". Tracara.com (in Serbian). 13 June 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Relja i Nikolija po prvi put nastupili zajedno i napravili žurku za pamćenje". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 13 April 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  16. ^ Dejanović, M. (15 April 2021). "Relja Popović pokrenuo svoju modnu liniju". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Relja Popović glumi u novoj sezoni serije "Besa"". Prva.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Krkeljić, B. (12 June 2022). "Amna Alajbegović je pobednica IDJShow-a". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "Večeras počinje 52. FEST, a ovo su filmovi koje ne propuštamo". Buro. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Marija Šerifović i Relja Popović u "muzičkom okršaju" koji iščekuje ceo region – za koji tim vi igrate?". Journals. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  25. ^ "Marija Šerifović protiv Relje u Luci Beograd - Okršaj koji se ne propušta!". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  26. ^ Milinčić, Jelena (8 July 2025). "Relja Popović intervju: "Teme i okolnosti se menjaju, ali potreba da se izrazim kroz muziku ostaje"". Buro.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  27. ^ Milosavljević, Filip (31 December 2025). "Kako je zvučala muzika u 2025. i šta je utisak godine: Biraju Žikica Simić, Nemanja Đorđević i Aleksa Simić". Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  28. ^ Jovanović, Aleksa (19 December 2025). "The best regional albums of 2025, curated by Aleksa Simić". Vogue Adria. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  29. ^ "Alumni fakulteta za medije i komunikaciju". fmk.singidunum.ac.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  30. ^ Stoisavljević, L. (20 July 2021). "Nikolija izašla iz porodilišta, ne želi da otkrije ime bebe". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ a b "Discographie Relja". Austrian Charts (in Austrian German). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  33. ^ a b "Discographie Relja". Schweizer Hitparade (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  34. ^ a b c Peak chart positions in Croatia:
    • For "Omađijala" and "Zovite doktore": "Croatia Songs (Week of October 29, 2022)". Billboard. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
    • For "Ljubi brat": "Croatia Songs (Week of December 24, 2022)". Billboard. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
    • For "Turira": "Croatia Songs (Week of July 8, 2023)". Billboard. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
    • For "Fatalna": "Croatia Songs (Week of July 15, 2023)". Billboard. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
    • For "Ola ola": "Croatia Songs (Week of August 26, 2023)". Billboard. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
    • For "Sve si znala": "Croatia Songs (Week of February 3, 2024)". Billboard. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
    • For "OMB", "Za tobom lud" and "12xJanuar": "Croatia Songs (Week of June 8, 2024)". Billboard. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
    • For "Preko linije": "Croatia Songs (Week of November 9, 2024)". Billboard. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
    • For "Baš ti se sviđa", "Limiti" and "Sex mashina": "Croatia Songs (Week of June 14, 2025)". Billboard. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  35. ^ "MADE IN BALKAN: Stigla je posljednja pjesma s Reljinog novog albuma". Extra FM (in Croatian). 4 July 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Relja o brendu "Made in Balkan": Oseća se ideja zajedništva". Nova.rs (in Serbian). 21 April 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  37. ^ Made In Balkan (Album) playlist on YouTube
  38. ^ "GLASANJE" (in Serbian). Music Awards Ceremony. December 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
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