Šaban Šaulić

Šaban Šaulić was a Serbian folk (narodna muzika) singer born in Šabac and widely regarded as one of the most beloved voices in the genre across the former Yugoslavia. He began performing professionally in the late 1960s and rose to national fame through the 1970s and 1980s, becoming known to fans and media as the king of narodna muzika. His warm, emotive baritone and traditional arrangements made him a defining figure of the sevdah-influenced folk-pop tradition.

Early in his career his songs were written by Budimir Buca Jovanović, but from the mid-1970s onward Šaulić increasingly wrote his own material, giving his catalogue a distinct personal stamp. Songs such as «Dođi da ostarimo zajedno» and «Dva galeba bela» are often cited among the greatest folk ballads ever recorded in the region, prized for their themes of love, longing, and nostalgia.

Over a career spanning five decades, Šaulić released a large body of work and remained a constant presence on Balkan stages and television until his death in Bielefeld, Germany in 2019. His influence persists in the narodna muzika scene, where younger performers continue to draw on his phrasing and repertoire.