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Vrećo Božo

Božo Vrećo (*18 October 1983 in Foča / Bosnia and Herzegovina) is an interpreter, author and composer of Sevdalinka, a traditional bosnian-herzegovinian song, which emerged as an expression of sad and unrequited love, melancholy, longing and pain. Sevdalinka has been transferred for centuries, first orally, later in writing form. Božo belongs to the new generation of artists and was the first artist who, after fifty years, wrote newly created Sevdalinka songs.

Biography
Božo Vrećo spent his childhood in Foča, which belongs to old Herzegovina. The great influence on his love for Sevdalinka comes from his mother, who has always listened to radio stations with traditional bosnian music including Sevdalinka. He considers his mother to be his Muse and dedicates her all of his work and inspiration.

After graduating at University of Belgrade with master's degree in the field of Archaeology, he moves to Sarajevo. In Sarajevo, or Sevdah-Makkah as many call it, he succeeds in his experimental approach to the Sevdalinka singing. He manages to attract so much attention with his a cappella singing that famous New York Times describes Božo as someone with angelic voice and a person who, with his dualism (as a man and as a woman), represents the synonym of freedom.

Professional career
In the year 2013 he founded Halka, together with Dino Šukalo, Edvin Hadžić, Adis Sirbubalo and Anes Beglerbegović. The corporation between the mentioned artists resulted with two successful albums, "Halka" and "O Ljubavi". Besides that, during the period of three and a half years, they together preformed on many concerts in the region and Europe. In the year 2014, Božo Vrećo started focusing on his solo career motivated by his love of presenting his own songs and compositions to the audience. In that way he manages to present his authentic and distinctive style both vocally and visually. Just like Sevdalinka, Božo identifies himself as gender-neutral and glorifies duality as a symbol that, with his special voice, is always in the focus.

The third album, "Moj sevdah", is entirely sung in a cappella version. This album contains his first songs "Lejlija" and "Znaš li da se svakog dana molim" which are representing the renaissance of Sevdah in every aspect. It was great inspiration and encouragement for him to work harder and to publish his fourth album, made of his own songs, called "Pandora". "Pandora" was unprecedented successes across Europe and the world.

After "Pandora", Božo starts to work with eminent musicians around the region and the world and together they create real masterpieces. His music is part of many documentary films, ballet and theatrical performances.

In the year 2016, Božo publishes a book entitled "Mila" dedicated to his mother, an autobiographical lyric novel, written in the form of a diary and sold out in three re-releases. His second book, as well as the fifth album that is being produced in co-operation with Croatia Records, is going to be published by the end of 2018.

In 2018 Božo Vrećo will produce the complete soundtrack for the new movie made by Lordan Zafranović.

In addition to music and writing, he paints and is also involved in fashion designing. He lives and works in Sarajevo.

Albums with Halka

 * Halka (2013, Gramofon Sarajevo)
 * O ljubavi (2014, Gramofon Sarajevo)

Solo albums

 * Moj sevdah (2014, Gramofon Sarajevo)
 * Pandora (2016, Gratiartis Brussels)

Singles

 * Crne oči (feat. Royal Street Orchestra, 2016)
 * Ko li noćas miluje ti kosu (feat. Vasil Hadžimanov, 2017)
 * Revolution (feat. Sudar Percussion / Stefan Milenkovich, 2018)