Amar Hodžić, known professionally as Buba Corelli, was born on September 22, 1989, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He began his musical journey in his teens, recording initial tracks as part of Corelli duo in 2004, later joining Sarajevo’s underground hip-hop scene with the group G‑Recordz. He gained widespread recognition in 2011 with his breakthrough track “Oh No,” which spotlighted him across the regional hip-hop community. His collaboration with Jasmin Fazlić (Jala Brat) began in 2013 through the EP Sin City, leading to their 2014 joint album Pakt s Đavolom, which cemented their status in Balkan rap.
Beyond performing, Buba Corelli built a reputation as a producer, creating hits for prominent regional artists such as Maya Berović, Milan Stanković, and Severina. In 2019, he co-founded the Imperia record label with Jala Brat, through which numerous regional hits and creative projects have been produced.
In 2019, he was convicted for illegal drug production and trafficking, serving part of the sentence in detention; the remainder was reportedly paid off as a monetary fine. Despite legal troubles, his musical career continued to flourish with successful albums, EPs, and solo singles released alongside Jala.
Buba Corelli is known for his modern production style, blending trap and turbofolk influences. His hits like “Kamikaza,” “Balenciaga,” “Zove Vienna,” and “Ona’e” have amassed millions of views online. With his energy, creative vision, and production contributions, he remains a central figure in the Balkan urban-pop scene.
