The wave of new (t)rap artists continues to rise. Although the center of events Podgorica has not been this active for a long time when it comes to domestic rap, mostly artists from Nikšić or from the coast like Who See were leading the way, but it seems that the globally popular trap sound was best received in the capital. Thus, in the new song called "Fukare" alongside Pepe, the young hope of the local scene who presented himself last year with his studio debut "Rano je do 12", two new faces appear - Reelone and Ratl. The song is accompanied by a video published on the YouTube service, signed by Petar Vučinić (Creative Zone). Ratl was in charge of the arrangement, and the music was made by Pepe and Reelone.
"He and I heard each other when I was in America last year, he liked my album, after that we heard each other regularly through IG and shortly before corona we met for the first time and did a matrix that some fellow rappers also heard and everyone liked her. That was a sign to us that we should continue to work together, and this song was born as a product of that collaboration. It is our first published joint project, and we have ten more in the computer," Petar Žugić Pepe revealed to "Vijesti".
This is his first music video, and in recent months his fellow rappers Simple and Đuro Franeta have also released them, a new video is being prepared by Story, while in February the duo Hi Hat also released their first song and accompanying video. All new names of the Podgorica rap scene, mostly focused on a more modern sound. Podgorica has never had more rappers, and whether quantity will give rise to even higher quality remains to be seen. Žugić is happy that he has more and more colleagues.
"People are slowly starting to realize that this shouldn't just be a hobby, but that serious work can be done, if only they shake things up a bit and change their views. If we manage to raise it to a slightly higher level, Podgorica would finally get that prefix, that it is also a rap city, because we have potential and I would like us to match Belgrade, Zagreb and Sarajevo, even if our quality is at a similar level", he believes. he.
Nikica Ražnatović Ratl and Miloš Ivanović Reelone started rapping two years ago. The latter says that he was attracted by the way of expression, while Ratl points out that he has always had the desire to make music, but that only two years ago he decided to start creating matrices, writing and producing. He also adds that the support of his friends meant a lot to him.
The track "Fukare" was created after one working evening for all three - with Pepe, he and Reelone worked on one song, and Ratl himself on the other song. When they met to present the results, they decided which one should be recorded.
The video was shot on the premises of the Radoje Dakić factory and on the roofs of buildings in Zagorič.
"It was difficult because we had a small budget, we are inexperienced, we entered something unknown, but with a dose of self-confidence. It was a nice experience, a good team and six hours on the hot Podgorica asphalt," recalls Ratl. Until now, Ratl and Reelone have performed only in Podgorica bars. Reelone has two previously released tracks, and Ratl has previously released nine demo tracks on his channel, including "Mama".
"Even though I didn't know much about music at the time, no matter how bad the sound quality is because it was recorded on a ten-euro microphone, I still get praise for the emotion in that song," he boasted.
The new wave of coronavirus hit Montenegro hard this time and practically destroyed musicians in many fields. Some have turned to work at home, streaming, but for Pepe, this is not a satisfactory answer. "When the corona started, honestly, it was difficult for me, because I definitely make music every day and since we weren't allowed to go out, it was very difficult for me to have to be at home all the time, because the studio is in my apartment. Even though I went to work, it wasn't what I was used to - going out and having that break from everything, including music," he said.
Act local, think global
The duo from Podgorica hopes to contribute to the rise of the domestic rap scene. On the other hand, Pepe already thinks globally.
"I made another account on the YouTube service that goes to the foreign, mostly American, market where I exclusively drop the dies, so in addition to my rapping, I'm trying to reach some people, through the contacts I already made when I was there," he revealed. he for "Vijesti".
At a time when well-known artists screen almost every song they release, Pepe says that he is satisfied with how his debut album went, considering that it did not have a single music video.
"People captured the vibe I wanted to achieve with that project and I can say that I am not disappointed. "I've had a few shows since I dropped it and the crowd would rap along with me word for word every time," the rapper pointed out.
Bonus video:
