Elitni Odredi (

Serbian Cyrillic The Serbian Cyrillic alphabet ( sr, / , ) is a variation of the Cyrillic script used to write the Serbian language, updated in 1818 by Serbian linguist Vuk Karadžić. It is one of the two alphabets used to write standard modern Serbian, th ...

: Елитни Одреди,

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

: ''Elite Units'') was a

Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Bas ...

pop-rap Pop rap (also known as pop hip-hop, hip pop, melodic hip-hop or melodic rap) is a genre of music fusing the rhythm-based lyricism of hip hop music with pop music's preference for melodious vocals and catchy tunes. This genre gained mainstrea ...

duo from

Belgrade Belgrade ( , ;, ; Names of European cities in different languages: B, names in other languages) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city in Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers a ...

, formed in 2005. They were composed of two rappers and long-time friends;

Relja Popović Relja Popović ( sr-cyr, Реља Поповић, born on 2 August 1989) is a Serbian actor and rapper who rose to prominence as a member of Elitni Odredi. As an actor, he won the Heart of Sarajevo award for his role in the 2009 film ''Ordinary ...

and Vladimir Matović. Initially an underground hip-hop group, they reached mainstream success by switching to a more commercial and club-oriented sound. Elitni Odredi was also one of the first regional acts to use platforms such as Myspace and

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

to promote their music, while generally avoiding media. They are recognised as one of the most successful and iconic regional acts of the early

2010s File:2010s collage v21.png, From top left, clockwise: Anti-government protests called the Arab Spring arose in 2010–2011, and as a result, many governments were overthrown, including when Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was Death of Muammar Gadd ...

History

The group, initially named ''Ulični Pesnici Crew'' (''Street Poets Crew''), was formed by two classmates, Relja Popović and Vladimir Matović, in seventh grade. They renamed it to Elitni Odredi in 2005 and included Nemanja Poznanović and producer Vladan Paunović. The first songs they released were "Ako Ste Za Rakiju" (''If You Want

Rakija Rakia, Rakija, Rachiu or Raki (), is the collective term for fruit spirits (or fruit brandy) popular in the Balkans. The alcohol content of rakia is normally 40% ABV, but home-produced rakia can be stronger (typically 50%). Etymology Fruit sp ...

''), "Biće Ekstra" (''It's Gonna Be Awesome''), "Šale" (''Jokes'') and others. However, only upon the release of "Moja Jedina" (''My Only One'') featuring Nemanja Poznanović (Padrino) and produced by Paunović, in 2006, the group gained widespread fame across Serbia and other former Yugoslav countries. Poznanović and Paunović soon split with the group. Their first and to date only body of work, titled ''Oko Sveta'' (

: ''Around The World''), was released in 2010 through Gold production. The album was influenced by

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...

's ''

808s & Heartbreak ''808s & Heartbreak'' is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kanye West. It was released by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records on November 24, 2008, having been recorded earlier that year in September and October at Glenwood Studi ...

'' with its use of

Auto-Tune Auto-Tune (or autotune) is an audio processor introduced in 1996 by American company Antares Audio Technologies. Auto-Tune uses a proprietary device to measure and alter pitch in vocal and instrumental music recording and performances. Auto-Tu ...

vocal processor and R&B influence. It spawned several stand out hits such as "Raj" (''Heaven''), "Džek i Čivas" (''Jack and Chivas''), "Ljubav i Milion Dolara" (''Love and Million Dollars'') and "Samo Da Si Sa Mnom" (''Only that You're with Me''). In October 2011, they released single "Kao kokain" (''Like Cocaine''). A month later, Elitni Odredi were featured on "Beograd" (''Belgrade'') by DJ Shone alongside Anabela. With these releases their sound shifted to more electronic and pop, which brought them mainstream success. Elitni Odredi were also among few non-folk acts to perform in clubs throughout

Serbian diaspora Serbian diaspora refers to Serbian emigrant communities in the diaspora. The existence of a numerous diaspora of Serbian nationals is mainly a consequence of either economic or political (coercion or expulsion) reasons. There were different wa ...

. In August 2012, they released "Ne koči" (''Don't Pull Over'') under IDJTunes, which was

pop-folk Turbo-folk (sometimes referred as pop-folk or popular folk) is subgenre of contemporary pop music with its origins in Serbia, that initially developed during the 1980s and 1990s, with similar music styles in Bulgaria (chalga), Romania (manele ...

-oriented. While in September, Elitni Odredi had a collaboration with singer Mia Borisavljević, titled "Nisi s njom" (''You Are not with Her''). A month later, they also released "Ljubavi moja" (''My Love'') featuring

Dado Polumenta Damir "Dado" Polumenta (born 29 August 1982) is a Montenegrin and Serbian pop-folk recording artist. Life and career Polumenta was born into a Muslim family in Bijelo Polje, in northern Montenegro. His uncle Šako Polumenta is also a singer. I ...

. Single "Zapali grad" (''Burn Down The City'') was released in October the following year. In December, duo released "Ima mnogo žena i kafana" (''There's a lot of Women and

Kafana Kafana is a distinct type of local bistro (or tavern), common in former Yugoslav countries and Albania, which primarily serves alcoholic beverages and coffee, and often also light snacks (''meze'') and other food. Many kafanas feature live music ...

s''). They then embarked on an

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

n tour at the beginning of 2014. In July, Elitni Odredi released "Ona sija" (''She Shines''). Then in October, they collaborated with

Nikolija Nikolija Jovanović ( sr-cyr, Николија Јовановић, born on 19 October 1989) is a Serbian singer and rapper. Born in Zagreb and raised in Belgrade, she is the daughter of singer Vesna Zmijanac. Nikolija initially gained prominenc ...

on "Alkohola litar" (''Liter of Alcohol''). Despite being their final single, it is also their most viewed one with over seventy five million views. After several months of media speculation, in an interview for

Prva TV Prva (; sr-Cyrl, Прва) or Prva Srpska Televizija ( sr-Cyrl, Прва српска телевизија, lit=First Serbian Television), is a Serbian commercial television network with national coverage. Launched on 31 December 2006 at 7&nbs ...

in January 2015, Elitni Odredi announced that they were going on a hiatus to focus on solo projects, claiming that they've "overgrown" the group. Many fans, fuelled by media disinformation, blamed Nikolija Jovanović for the group's breakup, because of her pregnancy with Popović's child.

Members

(born on August 2 1989,

) *Vladimir Vlada Matović (born on February 2 1989, Belgrade)

Discography

;Studio albums *''Oko sveta'' (2010) ;Singles *''"Kao kokain"'' (2011); feat. Ivana Krunić *''"Beograd"'' (2011); DJ Shone feat. Elitni Odredi and Anabela *''"Ne koči"'' (2012) *''"Nisi s njom"'' (2012); feat. DJ Marconi, DJ Silver and Mia Borisavljević *''"Ljubavi moja"'' (2012); feat.

*''"Zapali grad"'' (2013) *''"Ima mnogo žena i kafana"'' (2013) *''"Ona sija"'' (2014); feat. DJ Mateo *''"Alkohola litar"'' (2014); DJ Mlađa feat. Elitni Odredi and

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elitni Odredi Musical groups established in 2005 Serbian hip hop groups Serbian pop music groups Serbian pop-folk music groups

History

Members

Discography

See also

References