OT | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Genres | Rock,pop rock |
| Years active | 2009–2010, 2012–present[1] |
| Labels | Melody/Universal |
| Members | Vukašin Brajić Đorđe Gogov Nikola Paunović Nikola Sarić (2009–2010) |
OT is a Serbian pop/rock band founded inBelgrade in 2009. It was formed by four contestants ofOperacija trijumf, the Balkan version ofEndemol'sFame Academy.[2][3] The contestantsVukašin Brajić,Đorđe Gogov,Nikola Paunović andNikola Sarić are commonly known as theOT Rockers, due to their affirmation to therock music.[4][5]
The band took part in theBeovizija 2009, Serbia's national selection for theEurovision Song Contest 2009, with a song "Blagoslov za kraj", written and produced byUniversal Music,[6] and won 2nd place.[7]
Operacija trijumf, the Balkan version ofFame Academy, began on 29 September 2008. The contestants include young singers from all the countries of formerSFR Yugoslavia (exceptSlovenia) —Serbia,Croatia,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Montenegro andMacedonia. Four of sixteen contestants wereVukašin Brajić,Đorđe Gogov,Nikola Paunović andNikola Sarić. All of them are from Serbia; Brajić was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but has lived in Serbia since his childhood.
During the show, Brajić, Gogov, Paunović and Sarić were recognized asrock musicians, and they were named theOT Rockers.[8][9] The singing professor Mirko Vukomanović, and a famous Serbianmusic producer, told that Brajić and Sarić are very good guitarists, the best at the academy.[10] Gogov and Paunović do not play any instruments, but were noticed by their rock music affirmation and good performing.[11] They performed merely rock songs, originally played by famous rock artists, such asNirvana,Queen,Billy Idol,Lenny Kravitz,Bijelo Dugme,Deep Purple,AC/DC,Bryan Adams,Bon Jovi and others. However, none of them won. Gogov was expelled at the ninth gala event, being beaten in telephone voting by Brajić. Paunović was expelled at the tenth gala event, losing to CroatianAna Bebić. Sarić was expelled at the eleventh gala event, losing to Brajić. Brajić was the finalist of the show.[12]
One of theOT jury members, Croatian musicianTonči Huljić, said he sees Brajić, Gogov, Paunović and Sarić in a rock band.[13] However, none of the future band members thought that was a good idea, except Paunović, all of them wanted a solo career.[14] After the ending ofOperacija trijumf, almost all the contestants expressed a will to take part in theEurovision Song Contest;[15] Brajić, Gogov, Paunović and Sarić were finally united in a rock band, and confirmed they are taking part in theBeovizija 2009.[16][17]
In January 2009, the group was officially formed.[18][19] In the band's interview forBlic magazine (published on 17 February 2009), Gogov said that, in the beginning, only Paunović was for the band, but that the rest of them soon changed their minds.[20]
Their song, "Blagoslov za kraj",[21] was written and produced byUniversal Music.[22] The band said, in their interview forBlic magazine (17 February 2009, issue), that they have become great friends and they are happy to be together in a band.[23] Brajić said that the audience should not expect aboy band such as theBackstreet Boys, but arock band.[24]
The OT Band was an opening act at the concert ofJames Blunt inBelgrade[25]