PEKI, born Josip Pekas, is a Croatian rapper, songwriter, and producer who has quickly established himself as one of the most promising artists of the country's new trap and hip-hop generation. Raised in a musical family, he received formal musical education and learned to play both the saxophone and drums. Although he only began writing and producing music a week before creating his first song, he rapidly developed a distinctive artistic style that has made him one of the most recognizable emerging names on the Croatian urban music scene.
PEKI first gained attention with his 2022 EP Druga strana lica, introducing audiences to his melodic approach to trap music and contemporary production. He followed this release with the collaborative EP D33 alongside rapper Bore Balboa, further strengthening his reputation within Croatia's rapidly growing hip-hop community. Through a combination of modern production, catchy songwriting, and collaborations with some of the country's leading artists, PEKI became one of the standout performers represented by the yem label and management agency.
A major milestone in his career came with the release of his debut album Fortuna on 12 April 2024. The album featured guest appearances by Hiljson Mandela, Baks, Bore Balboa, Grše, and Vojko V, highlighting PEKI's growing influence within the Croatian music scene. One of its biggest successes was "Ganga i Rera", featuring Vojko V, which quickly surpassed two million streams on Spotify, while its accompanying music video attracted hundreds of thousands of views shortly after release. His collaboration with Grše, "Mangio Pasta," also earned a place on the Billboard Croatia Songs 25 chart. In 2025, PEKI expanded the project with the release of the EP FORTUNA DELUXE.
Alongside his recording career, PEKI has become known for energetic live performances. He has appeared at major Croatian festivals including Drito, Sea Star Festival, Beat na Moru, Zagreb Beer Fest, and Graffiti na Gradele, as well as numerous clubs throughout Croatia and the wider region. An important career highlight came in February 2025, when his first headline concert at Zagreb's Tvornica Kulture sold out more than a month in advance, prompting the addition of a second performance due to overwhelming demand.
Combining formal musical training with contemporary trap production and a strong creative vision, PEKI continues to establish himself as one of Croatia's most exciting young urban artists. His successful releases, high-profile collaborations, and rapidly growing live following reflect an artist whose influence on the regional hip-hop scene continues to expand.
