Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MUSIC, SACRED & PROFANE
Archbishop Jovan of Duklja was producing religious chants in the 10th century, making him the earliest-known
composer in the region. Traditional instruments include the flute and the one-stringed
gusle
which is used to ac-
company epic poetry.
The most famous Montenegrin musician of the moment is 30-year-old classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglić,
who won the Breakthrough Artist prize at the 2012 Classical BRIT Awards and has been touring the world on
the back of number one recordings on the US, UK and Australian classical charts.
In the 1990s the excruciatingly named Monteniggers carried the torch for home-grown hip hop. Continuing on
the unfortunate name theme, Rambo Amadeus is Montenegro's answer to Frank Zappa. He's been releasing al-
bums since the late 1980s, flirting with styles as diverse as turbofolk, hip hop and drum and bass - all with a
large serving of laughs. In 2012 he created one of the more memorable Eurovision Song Contest moments, per-
forming his song 'Euro Neuro' backed by a wooden 'Trojan donkey' and breakdancers. The lyrics, while topical
('monetary breakdance, give me time to refinance') included such inspired rants as 'I don't like snobism, nation-
alism, puritanism. I am different organism. My heroism is pacifism, altruism. I enjoy bicyclism, liberalism, tour-
ism, nudism...'.
If anyone doubts the relevance of Eurovision they should travel through Montenegro. Montenegrins love their
local pop, particularly if it's a gut-wrenching power ballad or a cheesy ditty played loud and accompanied by a
thumping techno beat.
