Biography
Kraljevi ulice (Kings of the Street) are a legendary band of street performers whose story begins in 1987. The members are Miran Hadži Veljković and Zlatko Petrović Pajo. They often perform as a quartet (with the help of their friends and great musicians, the irreplaceable Ladislav Demeterffy Laci on the accordion and Zoran Lovrić Zoc). They have won over the hearts of sympathisers of all ages with their performances and charm. For the last ten years Kraljevi ulice have successfully organised street festivals and events. They’re the organizers of the ’Cest is d’ Best’ festival, a ‘Martin is in Zagreb’ event and ’Summer on Stross’; they organise ‘Marks’ Fair’ and ‘Promenade Concerts’. They are also the initiators of one of the most important city events today: ’Advent in the Heart of Zagreb’.
Hadži
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The music story of this engineer of agronomy (mobile apiculture) began when he was 18. Miran Hadži Veljković (born 20 April 1958 in Zagreb) has played with many bands such as ’Dragan Pajić, Jr.’s Flying Circus’, ’The Rock Theatre’, ’Bordello’… He plays the violin and, in his own words, has a talent for „singing with all his might“. After completing his compulsory military service, he „accidentally“ went to Paris where he stayed for four years, learning the craft of street performance from the masters and singing in the Parisian metro. In 1987 he organised some street performers in Zagreb for the first time, and together with Pajo founded the Kraljevi ulice.
75 CENT
The oldest rapper in Croatia (and beyond!), and also the oldest Eurovision Song Contest participant, Ladislav Demeterffy (born 29 January 1933 in Zagreb) started playing when he was only a child. After high school he enrolled in and graduated piano at the Music Academy in Zagreb. Just as he sings in the song, our 75 Cent has “connected the planet with his music sailing on ships” – he sailed the world for 19 years and went everywhere except for Asia! He started working with Pajo and Hadži eight years ago.
Pajo
What “forced” this economist with a full time job in the state administration to leave his secure position and start performing in the street? Pure adventurism and a desire for change! For Zlatko Petrovića Pajo (born 1 October 1957 in Kavadarci) making music his business has to do with playing the guitar as a teenager (he is self-taught). At the time he was into Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, and played in a band called ‘Children of the Revolution’…
Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Semi-Final (2) - Belgrade
Entry for Croatia
Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents - Romanca
Composer(s) Miran Hadži Veljković
Lyrics writer(s) Miran Hadži Veljković
Sang in Position: 11
Final Position: 4
Total Points: 12
Eurovision Song Contest 2008 GRAND-FINAL - Belgrade
Entry for Croatia
Sang in Position: 9
Final Position: 21
Total Points: 44
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.