Famous Serbian Lyricists & Songwriters

Toma Zdravković was a Serbian pop-folk recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Best remembered for his immense contribution to Serbian folk music, Toma Zdravković is credited with writing one of the biggest Yugoslav folk hits of all time, Šta će mi život.

Silvana Armenulic was a Bosnian actress, singer, and songwriter. Nicknamed the Queen of Sevdalinka, Armenulić is regarded as one of the most important traditional sevdalinka singers in Yugoslavia. Although Silvana Armenulić died in a car accident at age 37, her voice and unique singing style are still cherished by her fans all over the world.

Ana Popovic is a Serbian singer and guitarist best known for co-founding a band named Hush in 1995. She is also credited with forming an eponymous band in 1999. Over the course of her career, Ana Popovic has received nominations at popular award ceremonies, such as the Blues Music Awards, French Blues Awards, British Blues Awards, and Blues Matters Awards.

Đorđe Balašević was a Serbian singer-songwriter, poet, writer, and director. He is best remembered for writing Rani Mraz's popular song Count on Us, which is widely regarded as an anthem of an entire generation. Đorđe Balašević was also renowned for intertwining political commentaries into his performances and songs.

Bora Đorđević is a Serbian singer, poet, and songwriter. He is best known for his association with the popular rock band Riblja Čorba, where he performs as the frontman. Renowned for his husky baritone voice, Bora Đorđević is widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of the Yugoslav and Serbian rock scene.

Branimir Štulić is a Yugoslav musician, singer, songwriter, and author. He is best known for his association with the famous Yugoslav rock group Azra, where he performed as the frontman. Renowned for his charismatic stage performances, Branimir Štulić often incorporated social commentary into his lyrics, becoming a cult figure in his home country.

Relja Popovic is a Serbian singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. He achieved popularity in 2005 when he joined hands with Vladimir Matović to form a popular pop-rap duo named Elitni Odredi. As an actor, Relja Popovic is best known for his portrayal of Dzoni in the 2009 film Ordinary People, which earned him the prestigious Heart of Sarajevo award. 

Croatian chanson singer Arsen Dedić was also an award-winning poet. Born into a working-class family, he initially studied law, but soon dropped out to study music. He spent his final years in extreme pain due to a number of illnesses. He was against politics and was banned in various phases of his career.

One of the most popular Serbian singer-songwriters, Vlado Georgiev is best known for his hit track Nisam ljubomoran. A TV judge and a record producer, too, he owns a record label and a production company. He has traveled around Europe on his motorcycle. He was also criticized for spreading misinformation regarding COVID.

Zvonko Bogdan is a Serbian singer-songwriter best known for his performances of traditional folk songs of Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Hungary. Many of his songs have been covered by popular Croatian tamburitza artists like Kićo Slabinac, Zlatni Dukati, and Miroslav Škoro. A multi-talented personality, Zvonko Bogdan is also a composer, harness racer, and wine producer.

Nevena Božović is a Serbian singer and songwriter. She achieved popularity in 2007 when she competed at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, representing Serbia with the song Piši mi. Nevena Božović's popularity increased in 2012 when she took part in a televised singing competition named Prvi glas Srbije, where she finished second.

Elena Kitic is a Serbian singer and songwriter. The daughter of famous singers, Marta Savić and Mile Kitić, Elena Kitić is known for her collaborations with artists like Jala Brat and Rasta. In 2020, she was honored with the Best Music Video Styling award at the Sneakerville Festival in Belgrade.

Dragana Todorović, better known by her pseudonym, Bebi Dol, is a Serbian new wave/pop singer began her career with the band Trakus and then soared to fame with the track Mustafa. She represented Yugoslavia at the 1991 Eurovision. She has also appeared on reality TV shows such as Farma.

Sara Jovanović, better known as Sara Jo, is a popular Serbian singer, dancer, and actor, who rose to fame with the singing talent show Prvi glas Srbije. She later performed at the 2013 Eurovision, representing Serbia, as a member of the girl band Moje 3. She supports LGBT rights and various charitable initiatives.

Milić Vukašinović is a Yugoslav musician best known for founding the popular hard rock band, Vatreni Poljubac. He has also performed as a drummer in famous rock bands, such as Indexi and Bijelo Dugme. Milić Vukašinović is also renowned for his songwriting and composing work with legendary performers like Toma Zdravković and Hanka Paldum.

Davorin Popović was a Bosnian singer-songwriter best remembered for his association with the pop rock and progressive band Indexi, where he performed as the lead singer. Along with the band, Davorin Popović is credited with founding a specific music style known as Sarajevo pop-rock school.

Bosnian pop-rock singer Saša Lošić gained fame as the lead singer of the cult band from Sarajevo Plavi Orkestar. He has also composed music for various plays and films, such as Fuse and Cheese and Jam. He has worked as a songwriter, for films such as Welcome to Sarajevo, too.

Yugoslav/Serbian musician Bojan Pecar is remembered as a bass player of the iconic rock band Ekatarina Velika, or EKV. With the band VIA Talas, he became a prominent member of the new wave movement. He died of a mysterious ailment, at age 38, in London. His death was later attributed to a heart attack.

Serbian singer-songwriter and composer Slađana Milošević was once a leading figure of the new wave movement in Yugoslavia. Initially a bass guitarist, she also played the violin and piano and performed as a theater artist. She later succeeded as a solo artist and also performed for several movies.

Sejo Sexon is a Bosnian musician, actor, film score composer, and television director. He is best known as the co-founder of the popular rock group Zabranjeno Pušenje, where he also serves as the bandleader. Sejo Sexon is also credited with co-founding the New Primitivism movement in Sarajevo.

Maja Odzaklievska is a Serbian and Macedonian singer and songwriter. She currently lives and works in Serbia and is popular across Europe. She is best known for competing at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2006, Maja Odzaklievska chose to represent Macedonia in the contest with a song titled Koj pat da izberam.

Anja Rupel is a Slovene singer, songwriter, journalist, and radio announcer. A trained flautist, Rupel started performing as a singer when she joined the popular synthpop group Videosex. After the disbandment of Videosex, Anja Rupel started pursuing a solo career.