Relja Popović is a Serbian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and record executive born on 2 August 1989 in Belgrade, Serbia. Widely regarded as one of the leading figures of the contemporary Balkan hip hop and pop-rap scene, he has built a successful career as both a member of the influential duo Elitni Odredi and as a solo artist, while also earning recognition for his work in film and television. His blend of urban music, melodic rap, and modern production has made him one of the region's most prominent performers.
Popović began his music career in 2005 when he formed the hip hop duo Elitni Odredi with his childhood friend Vladimir Matović. The group quickly became one of the pioneers of the modern urban sound in the Balkans, achieving widespread success with songs such as "Kao kokain" and "Beograd". In 2010, they released their studio album Oko sveta and went on to perform extensively across Europe and Australia before disbanding in 2015 so that both members could pursue solo careers.
Following the group's breakup, Relja launched his solo career with the single "Beograd još živi". He subsequently released a string of successful songs, including "Crni sin", "Samo jako", "Latino Evropa", "Mi Amor", "Meduza", "Takvi kao ja", "Omađijala", "Do zore", and "Zovite doktore". Throughout his solo career, he has collaborated with many of the region's leading artists, including Coby, Cvija, Stoja, Devito, Nucci, and Nikolija. In 2025, he released his debut studio album, Hotel Jugoslavija. He is also the co-founder of the record label Made In BLKN Records.
Alongside his music career, Popović has established himself as a respected actor. His performance in the film Ordinary People earned him the Heart of Sarajevo Award for Best Actor as well as recognition at the Cottbus Film Festival, making him the youngest recipient of the prestigious Sarajevo honour in that category. He has also appeared in the films The Parade and Videoteka, as well as the television crime series Besa. Since 2022, he has served as a judge and mentor on the music competition IDJ Show.
Relja Popović graduated from the Faculty of Media and Communications at Singidunum University and also studied acting at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade. Today, he is recognised as one of the most influential artists of the contemporary Balkan urban music scene, successfully combining careers in music, acting, and record production.
