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Baja Mali KnindzaSerbian poet, songwriter, folk singer
Date of Birth: 13.10.1966
Country:  Serbia |
Content:
Mirko "Baja Mali Knindža" Petrović: The Controversial Serbian Folk Icon
Mirko "Baja Mali Knindža" Petrović is a Serbian folk musician, songwriter, and performer. His music has been described as turbo folk, but he is a vocal critic of the genre.
Early Life and Career
Born on October 13, 1966, in the village of Gubin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Petrović is fluent in Serbian, Russian, and English. He wrote his first song, "Nema raja bez rodnog kraja" (No Paradise Without a Homeland), while living with the chetnik leader Momčilo Đujić.
Rise to Fame
Petrović gained popularity in the early 1990s with his wartime hit "Vrni se Vojvodo" (Return, Vojvoda), which was dedicated to Đujić and called for his return to Serbian Krajina to protect the Serbian people.
Critical Views and Controversy
Petrović has often expressed his disdain for turbo folk, despite being associated with the genre. He has also been criticized for his nationalistic lyrics and his refusal to perform in Croatia due to the burning of his family home and the destruction of his ancestors' cemetery during the Croatian War of Independence.
Musical Success and Impact
Throughout his nearly two decades in the music industry, Petrović has released over 20 albums, including collaborations with the band "Braća sa Dinare." His music has sold millions of copies worldwide, particularly in the Republic of Srpska, Serbia, and among the Serbian diaspora.
Legacy
Petrović is widely considered one of the most popular singers in the Republic of Srpska. He has also written songs for numerous other artists, including "Jandrino Jato," "Sinovi Manjače," "Zvukovi Tromeđe," "Pjeavaj Srbijo," and "Srpski Talibani."
