When a person is grateful, he attracts beautiful things

Montenegrin singer Marija Božović, who performs under the name Maria B, in collaboration with visual artist Miša Joskić prepared a big surprise for the audience in the form of a music video for a new song where she officially tried her hand at the microphone for the first time as a rapper. The music video for the track "Breathe, give thanks" will be launched today at 12 noon on the YouTube service as part of the "Internal reconstruction" project, which was supported by the Ministry of Culture.

"'Internal reconstruction' is a combination of sound and image as a response to the situation that befell us. I saw that the Ministry of Culture's competition for freelance artists affected by the situation caused by the coronavirus had come out, and I agreed with Marija to connect what we do into one whole," Joskić, who designed the visual concept of this project, told "Vijesti".

Božović revealed to "Vijesta" that it came about after she appealed through the Facebook page "Kulturna baza Kunst" to fellow artists to overcome the current crisis with the coronavirus with creativity and cooperation.

"That page is run by Ivana Stanić and I thank her for supporting us, artists of all kinds from Montenegro. The music for this song was done by my brother Nikola Božović, as well as everything else regarding production, mastering and mixing, and I wrote the lyrics, rapped, and sang backing vocals. It's great that the Ministry of Culture listened to this and helped us realize the video," added the singer.

The video was directed and edited by Ivan Knežević, with whom Joskić has been collaborating for a long time, and Božović said that she was delighted to collaborate with him.

The video was shot during the previous two months on the premises of the former Factory of Apartments in Spuz, which Joskić characterized as a second home, because a large number of his works, murals and graffiti can be found there.

“It was hot as hell, especially on the last shoot. I would like to thank Ivo pticica, Strahinja and Jovica Lakić, Ksenia and my Ivana who helped us to realize this project", added the artist known for his "street art".

Božović's decision to rap this song may surprise some, but she is no stranger to this format, since she collaborated with local rappers such as Who See and Rhino, her brother was part of the rap group Bači rimu trupa.

"I've been listening to hip hop since 94, mostly foreign and I used to record myself rapping some old hits at home, and at gigs I even do a jazz cover of 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio, where I rap half the song and half I sing in that jazz manner. That match turned out to be excellent and from there, to some extent, the inspiration for this," explained the singer.

She admitted that she had a little, positive trepidation about how her rapper friends would react, but that she thinks that everything turned out great in the end and that she could do something similar in the future.

"Honestly, the reactions of people who don't listen to rap are more important to me. Because I hope that my friends from that branch will support, but it is important for me to hear that broader opinion. And from what I heard, I concluded that I am on the right path and that I should push it to the end," explained Božović.

She pointed out that she approached the text quite personally, in an attempt to convey her emotions caused by the first wave of the coronavirus, which she says was not easy for her, because she believes that texts based on personal experiences can evoke sincere emotions in the audience. She also tried to make her rhymes have the widest possible connotation and positive message.

"I didn't want to verbalize literally 'stay at home' or to mention the corona, because I would like this track to continue even when this whole agony is over, to help people who are going through different situations, because in the text I emphasize the principle of gratitude. I have been practicing gratitude for several years, it sounds simple to people, but it is a very effective technique. Because when a person gives thanks for what he has, he attracts positive energy and beautiful things. I wanted it to be the focus of the story, not my anxiety," said the singer.

When asked if she can be expected to continue rapping in the future, she replied that this time it was a specific situation, so it was "easy" for her, but that she is not a rapper.

"Maybe there will be, but not to this extent. Maybe it would be more interesting if in some next song I have singing and only rap in one part", added Božović.

Although due to the situation caused by the pandemic it is impossible to plan anything in the long term, she revealed that her brother Nikola already has an idea for a new song. "We heal the soul with music, so we won't give it up so easily. We will work, we will throw out, above all for our soul, so we will see what will happen", said the singer.

How am I endangering someone because I sing?

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected the everyday life and work of all of us, and artists are among those most affected. Božović said that the situation is very difficult because musicians like her cannot perform and thus earn a living. For this reason, a group of them recently drew the NKT's attention to their problem and appealed to be allowed to do their work, but so far they have not been able to do so.

"Of course, the measures should be respected, but some things are not very logical to me. Because the places where I sang carefully followed all measures, physical distance, so as not to create a crowd... We have to be careful, but the ban on performing does not make sense to me, with which I endanger someone because I sing", she wondered and concluded that in the end, the most important thing is that when all this is over, everyone will be fine, "both with head and with health".

The position of the artist is bad, but at least the time is inspiring

If nothing else, the situation can at least be inspiring for artists, and such is the case with Joskić, who devoted himself to painting and spending time with his family.

"I tried not to stress myself out. People are obsessed, they monitor how many are infected, how many have died, which is completely understandable, but it only increases fear and panic and ultimately kills immunity," he said.

So Joskić points out that this period was very inspiring for him, so in addition to "street art" he also painted on canvas.

"I caught a pace that I haven't had since the Academy, when I knew how to draw for 10 hours a day... As long as it's healthy and a little protein and carbohydrates, that's good."

He added that it would be good if more money were allocated for artists, but that he was grateful for the one-time help.

"Better something than nothing. Considering where and how we live, it's good," Joskić concluded.