Božo Vrećo Божо Врећо | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1983-10-18)18 October 1983 (age 42) |
| Genres | sevdalinka |
| Website | vrecobozo |
Božo Vrećo (Serbian Cyrillic:Божо Врећо; born 18 October 1983) is a Bosnian musician.
Božo Vrećo was born inFoča,SR Bosnia and Herzegovina,SFR Yugoslavia on October 18, 1983. His father died when he was five years old, and he grew up with his mother and two sisters.[1] His mother was an artist and encouraged Vrećo to paint and draw, as well as to learn music. He taught himself how to read and write music, as well as sing, from the Internet.[2] As aneffeminate boy, Vrećo experienced many struggles growing up in his provincial home town, and was frequently bullied.[3]
Vrećo went toBelgrade,Serbia, to earn hismaster's degree inarchaeology, but after graduation he realized that his true passion wassevdalinka, a traditionalgenre offolk music. At age 27, he began learning how to sing from traditional recordings. He then traveled toSarajevo. A local musician discovered Vrećo singing in a café and invited him to perform in the bandHalka, with whom he recorded his first CD.[2]
Prior to his musical career, Vrećo worked as an archaeology professor. He began performing professionally with the band Halka in 2013, and gained fame within and away from theBalkans at sold-out concerts and international music festivals. Vrećo performed as the lead singer for Halka, recording two albums with them in 2013 and 2015, which resulted in a world tour.[4] In 2014, in between recording two albums with Halka,[2] Vrećo recorded his first solo album,Moj Sevdah, where he performed seventeen sevdalinkas ina cappella style, including two original songs.[5] By 2015, Vrećo became known and written about in the English-speaking world. In 2017, Vrećo recorded his second solo album,Pandora, which included performances with Marko Louis, Indigo, Velahavie, andMerima Ključo.
Two songs from the albumMoj Sevdah will be part ofKoštana, a play directed by Kokan Mladenović. Vrećo had a leading role in the play.[2] The Swedish national television station will produce a documentary about Vrećo, his life, and his devotion to sevdalinka.[2]
In addition to sevdalinka, Vrećo enjoysjazz,blues andsoul, and tries to bring their elements into his interpretation of sevdalinka. He is inspired by the musical artistsHimzo Polovina, Selim Salihović,Emina Zečaj, andNada Mamula.[2]
Vrećo performs as both female and male, as he sees himself as aperson of both genders.[6] At the beginning of his career, Vrećo wore men's suits, then decided to perform as what he considers his true self. It is his belief that a person who sings songs of courage should present nothing but honesty to their audience, which is one reason why more traditional audiences love him. He takes offense at those who consider him adrag performer.[5]
As a reviver of a traditional women's genre, Vrećo defends the place ofwomen in Bosnian society by singing their songs.[6] He wears his hair long, withkohl around his eyes, and dresses inkaftans, dresses, or floating coats as he spins and sings on stage.[1] At the same time, he is a bearded man. His performances are continually sold out in thepatriarchal Balkan society, and his fans cross gender and ethnic boundaries. Vrećo hopes that, through his musical performances, he can also be a voice forLGBT rights in the Balkans.
In some interviews, Vrećo has identified asgay, but he consistently states that he is both female and male and that he is a free person who will not hide his true self.[6]
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