The informal hip-hop association “Radio Katakomba” was founded in Budva in 2010. It gathers a group of enthusiasts who have been participating in the creation of respectable releases in the sphere of rap music and the independent scene for over a decade. It all started from a need for an adequate recording space. After a two mixtapes and a third, from which the songs are currently being published, along with several notable EPs and albums, “Katakomba” has established itself as an extremely influential collective in Montenegro. It has a tendency of increasing recognition in regional frameworks.
When it comes to its authors on the Budva hip-hop scene, the bearers of the whole thing are Nemanja Đorđević – Necke, Jovan Lazarević – Jollanda and Vladimir Kustudija – Dobbla Galiot. Necke and Jollanda are actually pioneers of the rap expression in the local community. They made their first steps in high school. It was the beginning of the 2000s. At the time they were a part of the “Anti Diesel Squad”.
The beginnings – from School Days to the first punchlines
“The group existed from 2003 to 2005. There were five of us. I was the last to join. At that time there were several songs done. Very important moment was the manifestation “School Day” where Necke and Stefan performed “Zato se cimam da imam”. That song is actually the beginning of rap music in Budva. Later, it was recorded in Radio Budva with DJ Miksajlo. Our main base was in front of the “Avala” hotel, on the marble plateau where we skated. Lot of people circulated at that place. I remember spending more time there than at home during the summer. We were also very active as cartoonists, graffiti artists. A few of us were filmed by local television painting with sprays on some walls, and a few of us were even arrested by the police” Jollanda recalled. As Necke told us, some of the participants of the Belgrade scene gave Budva team a decisive incentive to take up rap more seriously.
“At that point, we definitely had the biggest support from Juice, Teror Teča and Voke. They used to come to Budva in the summer. That’s where we met them. The thing that drove everything in a different direction was the opportunity to have them teach us to rap and write rhymes. Before that, I wrote ad-hoc rhyming. After hanging out with them we learned the basics, the structure of the song, how it is made and how to put it together… We learned about punchlines, how many punchlines, what is a punchline at all”, he said.
A breakthrough with “Prvi na crti”
At the beginnings and the time of “Anti Diesel Squad” “the PC sound card was just a taught”. Jollanda and Necke formed the duo “Prvi na crti”. It was very promising at the time. In 2006, they released a demo release “Ulična rasvjeta”. It was the official premiere release of rap in Budva that’s preserved in digital format.
Lyrics were tailored very crafty and eloquently. If we take into account the poor working conditions, song production came in the extremely creative package. “Ulična rasvjeta” is a quality auteurs material, and as such perceives the peculiarities of the local environment, but it bears some deeper issues, with a boldly emphasized rebellious signature.
“Me and Jovo were below the line at high schools entrance exam. We realized that “first below the line” could also mean “first on the line”. At that time, we were already quite formed. That was in a sense that we knew what we wanted and that we approached things thematically. I think that at that moment we already sounded above average. “Ulična rasvjeta” still has no digital publisher, but that way it has some charm. That release is definitely the product of kids who at that time had no idea what they were doing and what they were building. We didn’t run away from different topics. From the beginning, we tried different styles from song to song. The famous “dirty south” had already started to appear, so we started to implement those influences”, Necke said.
That period was characterized by a lower level of interaction and limited communication channels. “Prvi na crti” embarked on a serious campaign that can be perceived as a pioneering hip-hop endeavor at the local level. We have to bear in mind the lack of adequate heritage in that domain, and the absence of all infrastructural things that will become available after a few years.
“We were guests at Pink Television, within Balkan Net, and performed thee from Budva studio. Sejo Sekson from “No Smoking” listened to us from the Sarajevo studio. I remember that he gave us praise and that we were in a serious rush. We performed live in the studio twice, then followed some gigs in Podgorica where we really “stole the show”. It was because we had good energy, good themes, a good story. Two of us are really a perfect match. At that time, we also had solo performances in Budva. We participated in the program on the AIDS Day in front of the Old Town. The story of “Prvi na crti” was definitely something. People liked it as something new, yet understandable”, Necke concluded.
The creation of “Radio Catacombs” in the basement of the “Red Building”
At the time when space in the basement of the “Red Building” on the boulevard was remodeled for the needs of a music studio, “Prvi na crti” were on hiatus (2006 to 2010.). From that moment, the rap scene in Budva as we know it today begun to get its shapes. There were some new guys who joined Jolanda and Necke.
“The space that later became “Radio Katakomba” served as a basement during that period. My father stored his fishing equipment and a bunch of other unnecessary things there. I adapted that space and turned it into my residence for crafting rap, writing lyrics and other needs. Dobbla and Dundo, young MC’s from the “Red Building” who were maybe 13-14 years old at the time, started coming there. They practiced rapping by playing the beats from some old CD player. They learned “where to breathe in” and how to shorten syllables.
“That form of gathering place lasted for some time. I was walking through the hood one day with Riki (who at the time had the role of main animator and co-host) and heard Dobbla and Dundo agree to meet someone later. Then Dundo replies: “I can’t, I’m going to the studio to rap”! It occurred to me that it could really be a studio”, Jollanda reveals details from the period preceding the founding of “RK”.
The lack of adequate conditions for work contributed to the creation of a community lifted by the guerilla spirit. That is often the best possible starting point for the emergence of local artistic movements.
“Few of us gathered the necessary things and brought what we could or had. We removed the stuff from the basement. I ordered approximately 263 egg cones to “soundproof” the deaf room. In fact, the entire space was turned into one big deaf room. That’s how “Radio Katakomba” was created. It happened in the winter of 2010. It started as an improvised studio where a few of us rappers from Budva started recording”, Jollanda said.
A wave of productivity on the Budva scene
Jollanda and Necke, together with Stefan Ražnatović – Stefanegro and Peter Jablan – Diabolo from the group “Most Wanted”, as well as Vladimir Kustudija – Dobbla Galiot, a rapper of the younger generation, started their first venture from an improvised studio, which entailed recording of the first mixtape release. It is the compilation “Mixtape – part one”. Members of “Katakomba” established cooperation with the Serbian performer Predrag Vukčević, who previously performed under the stage name Lou Benny, and now Bege Fank.
“From the very beginning we were functioning as a commune and I am very glad that we managed to do it that way. The first mixtape was recorded. In terms of production, we had no idea what we were getting into. We didn’t even know how loud the record should be. On the other hand, a real community was formed. Suddenly people started to gather. It wasn’t just about hip-hop. We were open to other styles as well. Some songs for the group “Mazzom u fugazzu” were created in that manner. After that, more and more serious stories and releases were issued” said Necke.
The first mixtape started a real wave of productivity on the Budva scene. In 2013, the release “Mixtape – second part” followed. Bege Fank, Montenegrin rappers Andrija Krivokapić – Dvorska Luda and Ilija Backović – Bacili from Nikšić were guests. The first two mixtapes featured over 15 artists. In the summer of that year, the hip-hop festival BU2 Hood Music Fest was held in the area between the churches in the Old Town. Jollanda, Necke, Dobbla and the team publish a demo of the group “Prvi na crti” from 2006 on the YouTube. At the same time they were working on their solo releases. Jollanda released the album “Na talasimi rima” immediately after the second mixtape, Necke released the first part of the double album “All the troops must stop the march when crossing this bridge”, and Dobbla Galiot joins them with the his own debut EP “Pješčanik”.
Dobbla made his debut on the first mixtape where his first official song was released, and at the time when the studio was formed he was finishing elementary school.
“I knew Jovo from before. We were neighbors. It was normal that I got into the story. I took part in a second mixtape. After those two releases my share in “Radio Katakomba” increased. I remember the first mixtape because when I recorded the first song, I was absent from the last two math classes of the first class of secondary school. I remember I went to studio to record songs. I think both mixtapes brought in some new local and more established artists then we were at the time. Only after the completion of the second mixtape, I had a more active role in the sense of creation, but also was included in the initial ideas of Jovo and Neckeo. The main peculiarity of the “Radio Katakomba” rappers was that the local story is done in very believable way and that all the hard work can be seen based on the number of names that participated in the projects. There is a tendency for new names to appear, and I hope that this will be a recipe and a trend. I hope we will be able to intensify it in the coming period”, stated Dobbla.
The third mixtape opens up new possibilities
The next challenge of “Radio Katakomba” was to raise the production to a higher level. Necke started working on production intensively since 2016. Since then he takes care of future projects as well as younger generations of rappers. Production progress is heard on each subsequent release, and our interviewer believes that it will especially come to the fore on the third mixtape. That mixtape should be released in its entirety soon.
“When I started this production job, I was faced with the fact that people generally do not understand the concept of guerrilla production. It’s a concept that has been adopted even in Hollywood. Brad Pitt invests in Brad Pitt as a brand. I could not explain that we should use this principle of creativity and production. From that problem came a conclusion that I had to learn everything. Learn to record, to mix, and everything else. It’s basically because we live in a city where you don’t have enough people who would be ready to work on it. At the same time, it has never been easier and more accessible to learn something. When I started using “Frooty loops” in high school, it was nights and nights of pushing buttons to get something. Now you have it all on YouTube. People explain how to do it in 35 different ways. If you want to have a decent home studio it is a big investment. At least for our country it is. You’ll need a few thousand euros. Every month I get some new part of the equipment. People tell me that I’m overdoing it. I look at that as an upgrade, and you can feel it. When you listen to the releases chronologically, you can hear that the production has risen to a higher level”, says Necke.
Everyone wa waiting for the third mixtape for ten years. Listening to the first tracks from that release on YouTube, one can notice that it will be a step forward in every sense. So far they released songs by Budva MC Dundo Showman (Nebojša Osmić), Necke, Dobbla and Cosiliere (David Baštrica). “Radio Katakomba” also recorded the joint track “The Strongest Possible” with Balša Krkeljić – Sivilo. MC from Kotor called Avet Avetni (Milo Lazarević) whose song “Kotor Compton” had already resonated on the regional scene will appear on the compilation too.
“First we planned to release it in full at once, but a mixtape is a complicated project. You have to wait for many people to come to record their tracks. So, some people are waiting for beats, some want to make a video or some visual. It is a good form because it is very beautiful and open, relaxed. But it’s also very demanding. I had to record everything, I’m mixing and mastering. I can say that we did a really great job. We definitely managed to have some headliners. There is Sivilo, who is really one of the few from Montenegro who managed to make a career. Marko Louis will sing on one chorus. Marko Lubarda – Random is here. We did one song together”, Necke revealed some of the details about the release of “Nemaš ti muda za ovaj mikst3jp”.
Dobbla Galiot believes that the latest issue of “Katakomba” will have its place in history. “I think it’s chronological and will be the best mixtape so far. It will be better than the previous ones in terms of production, technical things and rapping. But the previous two are extremely significant. If someone were to make a chronology of rap publishing, I think that those two editions will certainly have significant positions in the rap history. They are presented quite well, and with solid production. Today, we have progressed in every way. Technology used for recording is much more accessible than before”, he assesses. Jollanda continues by pointing out that their informal group will strive to be a constant in Montenegro rap in the coming decades.
“In the past 12 years, we have been one of the few on the rap scene who constantly published rap music. We plan to continue doing so. In particular, Necke and Dobbla are much more active than me and they are actually the pillars of “Radio Katakomba”. I am kind of an outside guy. We plan to raise the level of our releases and our involvement in the music scene. A lot of activities are planned. It will help us to progress and continue to develop in the coming period”, says Jollanda.
“Real recognize real”: Collaboration with Skaj Vikler
Legendary Đorđe Miljenović – Skaj Vikler recognized the potential of the independent scene in Budva and decided to support it. He will be one of the guests on third mixtape. As Necke emphasizes, the collaboration came about spontaneously and unexpectedly. Actor Vuk Jovanović is to blame for it. He will also participate in the on a track with Vikler and Necke.
“Vuk called me one day and said that Vikler was at his place in Petrovac. He asked me to bring a microphone and a sound card. We met there. Vuk and Vikler were delighted. I played them a bunch of tapes from Katakomba, and some unreleased tapes. Vikler had a really positive reaction like: “Wow, man, who says that Montenegro has nothing to offer!”. He literally said “Bro, play me some beats!”. I played him some beats that I had on my phone, and we stuck to one of them and started working on a song for the new mixtape. Only jazz has that kind of improvisation, and I liked it a lot. That’s when you live for hip-hop. We listened to that beat for two hours. Each one wrote his own verses, then we started rapping, creating a structure and the same night we made a demo. Now I need to rearrange the complete instrumental. Naz often says “Real recognize real” and there really is a truth in that. You simply get along with someone. I’ve been a fan of Vikler since I was a kid. Just the opportunity to record a song with him with my instrumental in a background is significant. It’s a kind of recognition and satisfaction. Theres no more doubt about whether it was worth it,” he said.
“Radio Katakomba” recently became part of the regional hip-hop initiative “Open Balkan”. Within that framework the third mixtape will be released. It will be done on the independent label “Kaseta Digital”. It is a story that connects authors from the countries of the ex-Yu region. The mixtape will consist of 15 tracks, and on the album there will be a jingle between each song. The idea is to create the impression that the release is broadcast on the radio. In the spirit of the video game “GTA Vice City”.
Acceptance in the local community
It is certain that the third compilation of this informal association will be a real step forward in every sense. It is a continuing process of expansion of the independent hip-hop scene in Budva. As the members themselves admit, it is greatly accepted by the wider local community. This trend has been present for several years.
“Ten years ago it was unimaginable that a local band would perform at the Carnival, the Sea Dance festival or be broadcast by a public broadcaster. Today it is a standard practice. Many things were done for the first time. I can’t say that our freedom of expression was ever threatened. There were moments when there was a lack of understanding, but I think that this momentum is much more favorable than before”, Dobbla concluds.
“There is no philosophy. Rap is a rebellious thing and emphasizes freedom, originality and unity at its core. We all felt pretty good doing it. The local community has always recognized this “artistic” moment. We always had some space in the media and invitations to perform at various events,” adds Jollanda.
Necke, Jollanda, Dobbla, together with producer Miroslav Karović (Assonance music) and professor Iva Ćulafić, traditionally perform as part of the Budva Carnival. They appeared at the Sea Dance Festival in 2021. Plan is to continue to be a relevant segment of a local culture and an authentic and influential channel of expressing freedom of speech at the city level. They have no outside obstacles for doing so. In order to institutionalize the whole story in a formal sense, they plan to establish a non-governmental organization. It would be a kind of superstructure of their concept. Bearing in mind all the positive impulses and the full momentum of the scene, the team from Budva, whose studio is now on a new location in Potkošljun, are waiting for real opportunities. I’m certain, they will seize it and use it in the right way.
Milan STANIŠIĆ
The article is part of the project “Gaining Freedom – Cultural corrective from an individual to a collective action” supported through small-grants program. The program is part of the national project “Diagnosis and therapy on freedom of expression, hate speech and ethnic tensions” which is a joint initiative of Montenegro Media Institute, Center for Democracy and Human Rights and Portal UL Info aimed at strengthening and advocating for freedom of expression, combating hate speech and reducing ethnic tensions in Montenegro. The project is financed by the European Union through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and co-financed by the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro. The content of this article is sole responsibility of the author and in no way reflects the views of the donors.