Feliks – "Don't Forget" (Ne zaboravljaj): Croatian Trip-Hop or Just a Bold Attempt by an "Outlier"?
They say Trip-Hop doesn't really exist in Croatia. And honestly? They’re probably right. The genre is like a mythical creature—we’ve all heard of Massive Attack, we all know those slow, heavy beats and that cinematic atmosphere, but nobody really dares to cook it up in our local kitchen. Well, I decided to be the "outlier" who’d give it a shot.
Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not here to lecture anyone. I’m not trying to force my way into "elite music circles," I’m not playing the misunderstood genius, and I have zero ambition to be the next big pop star. At best, I’m a wannabe producer and an amateur sailor navigating a pretty shaky boat. Maybe I’m underselling myself here, but I prefer transparency. If, by some miracle, this track becomes a hit, at least no one can accuse me of starting out with an ego.
From Ibiza to Las Vegas (and Back to the Studio)
My connection to music isn't academic; it’s from the streets and the clubs. I’ve taken the scenic route—from working the gritty and glamorous clubs of Ibiza, to the shores of Zrće, all the way to the neon lights of Las Vegas, LA, and San Francisco. For twenty years, I’ve had my hands in everything: backstage tech, event production, set design, choreography, DJing... but mostly, I was the one hosting the room.
When you spend that much time in the nightlife scene, electronic music gets under your skin whether you like it or not. You realize you’re versatile and can navigate different genres, but you also learn exactly what you don't like. For me, it’s that dark, distorted techno that forces you to face your demons in a pitch-black club. That was never my vibe. I like things to be beautiful, even when they’re heavy.
The Experiment: "Ne zaboravljaj"
That brings us to the track, "Ne zaboravljaj" (Don't Forget). Trip-Hop is a serious beast. It demands that "wall of sound"—strings, powerful synths, and a rhythm that carries you rather than just hitting you. Massive Attack never gets old for me; they are the gold standard.
For the lyrics, I "robbed" my nephew, Rej Kovačević. He usually writes for established artists, and the lyrics he gave me were... well, abstract to say the least. At times, it’s hard to tell exactly what the poet was getting at, but that was the perfect motivation for me. That quirkiness fits a genre that is inherently "off-beat" perfectly.
SPOTIFY Feliks - Ne zaboravljaj
I’ll admit, I butchered the original text. I cut verses, I removed the bridge... I kept only what worked for the music. My focus is on the sound, not the story, so if the message got a bit "lost in translation"—that’s on me. Then again, Trip-Hop is about the emotion, not the instruction manual.
The Diagnosis: A Hobbyist with an Ear for Music
For me, music is therapy and a hobby. I don't do this for a living, which gives me the luxury of being bold (or perhaps "crazy-brave") in my attempts. Sometimes it turns out great, sometimes I wonder what I was thinking, but that’s the beauty of the experiment.
It’s up to you to decide if this Croatian Trip-Hop experiment succeeded or if it’s just another interesting "swing and a miss." I’ve done my part—I got it out of my system, stayed honest, and hopefully, kept it entertaining.
You can find the track on all streaming services, with the video available on my personal YouTube and VEVO channels.
Enjoy (or just be confused).
VEVO Channel
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