ZLATAN STIPIŠIĆ GIBONNI The Superbrands organisation has for the past 16 years been paying tribute to the strongest and his songs firmly on the throne of all-time favourite, the best brands in 88 countries. The categorisation of the awards was changed in 2007. The timeless hits. Superbrands organisers believed that it was high time to not only award product brands and It is not difficult to trace Gibonni’s musical companies on the world market, but also to award public figures that truly deserve it. roots; his father Ljubo Stipišić- Delmata is one of In the process of choosing laureates, the emphasis is put on products and companies that the greatest and most active archivists of traditional operate at the national and the international level. When choosing actual persons, the organisation Croatian songs and is a renowned ethnomusicologist. targets exclusively those persons who have become “super brands” through their personal Gibonni’s biography tells a tale of restless wandering, achievements, and are, as such, of great importance in their homeland as well as on the from his heavy metal band Osmi putnik to the kind international market. of musician Gibonni is today. From a historical point Sport and music are two categories with the highest number of distinguished representatives, of view, both Croatia’s and Gibonni's independence i.e. Croatia’s super ambassadors to the world. In the final election for the year 2010, we are date back to the virtually same period, i.e. to 1991 awarding the Superbrands for the second time to one of the greatest artist on the Croatian music when he released his first studio album “Samnom ili scene, the one and only, inimitable, Gibonni. bez mene” (With or without me). Some of the songs from his debut album still seem to be influenced by “heavy metal”, while others echo the spirit of Market History Dalmatia and rock music. Two years later his second Both the music and the entertainment industry Zlatan Stipišić Gibonni is called Zlatan only by his album “Noina arka” (Noah’s Arc) brings us two offer a myriad of artists. The demand for glitz, closest family members, whereas the public refer pivotal hits that shoot Gibonni right into stardom; sparkle and glamour is growing. Meanwhile, the to him as Gibonni, or even more commonly, they the festival hit “Dobri ljudi” (Good People) and competition is rising by the day and is becoming use the term of endearment - Gibo. Gibonni is a the music score for the film “Zlatne godine” (The more cut-throat in the race to achieve those name that has never been tied to any scandals. With Golden Years) about the Croatian Spring political parameters, especially in the media that are always each new move, he is always at the positive centre movement, co-written with Zrinko Tutić and his, to in pursuit of new sensations. The expectations are of media attention. Most of his lyrics and notes dig this day, closest associate and friend, producer Nikša high, but when the stage lights go down, there are deeply into the very core of human lives, setting Bratoš. A year later, he relatively quickly releases his very few true stars whose brilliance remains intact. third album “Kruna perja” (A Crown of Feathers) Much like in other categories, there are only a few packed with hits that are still played in concerts, such artists who are continuously present in the media. as “Lipa moja” (My Beautiful One) and “Dvije duše” Gibonni is, as a songwriter, the absolute leader (Two Souls). That same year he writes a smash hit among music artists. His timeless hits are a result of “Cesarica” for Oliver Dragojević that secures him a winning combination of short, yet powerful lyrics, the annual Croatian music award Porin for the song magical melodies and strong arrangements. Each of the year. His live album, simply entitled “Koncert” of his hits and albums so far is charged with a new (Concert), is released in 1995 and is followed two musical maturity and life wisdom. years later by “Ruža vjetrova” (Wind Rose) that Gibonni is an artist who establishes his includes tracks “Ako me nosiš na duši” (If I Prey authentic status with every single new work - a Upon Your Mind), “Ovo mi je škola” (A Lesson To status unparalleled to that of any other artist in the Learn)and “Tempera”. These hits mark the start of region. In the field of music and art, Gibonni truly his more commercial phase that proves to be a big is in a league of his own. The fact that he has been success with the masses and the critics. His next appointed the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador sets album “Judi, zviri i beštimje“ (People, Beasts and an additional value on his work. Curses) is released in 1999 and marks a turning point 320 SUPERBRANDS in his career. The hits “Projdi vilo” (Go My Fairy), with new vocal tracks by Maya Azucena, now joined became the face of UNICEF as their goodwill “Činim pravu stvar” (Doing the Right Thing), “Divji by the outstanding Damir Urban. In the same year, ambassador. Towards the very end of 2009 he cvit” (Wild Flower) i “Posoljeni zrak i razlivena tinta” Gibonni releases a special extended, as well as a released a new single entitled “Žeđam” (Thirsty). (Salted Air and Smudged Ink) bring him 7 Porin limited Christmas edition of the album. This particular single stands out from his previous awards. His next release is a DVD entitled “Milenijski In March 2010 he releases his latest studio album ones due to the visually impressive video based koncert” (The Millenium Concert) recorded at the “Toleranca” and in December a limited edition of this on the animated motion picture “Guliver”, Croatian National Theatre “Ivan pl. Zajc” in Rijeka, album with a bonus DVD. directed by Zdenko Bašić and animated by Daniel where ISDN technology enabled him to be joined Šumberac. on stage by guests Vlatko Stefanovski and the vocal Discography and awards In March he releases his new studio album ensemble Cambi. “Toleranca” and starts a very successful and long- On his long awaited album “Mirakul” (Miracle), OSMI PUTNIK awaited tour in Croatia. In 2010 he releases 5 hit released in 2001, he collaborates with world- 1. Ulična molitva (Street Prayer) (Jugoton , 1986.) singles and attractive videos. He was nominated for renowned musical guests such as drummer Manu 2. Glasno glasnije (Loud louder) (PGP RTB, 1987.) MTV awards for Best Regional Act. Katche, base-players Pino Palladino and Tony Levin, 3. Drage sestre moje... nije isto bubanj i harmonika Promotion guitarist Vlatko Stefanovski, world music star Geoffrey (My dear sisters…drums and accordions are not As an eminent musician, Gibonni has always Oryema and the frontman of the Italian band the same thing) (PGP RTB, 1987.) sparked interest both for himself and his work, “Stadio”, Gaetano Cuerreri. The album has 13 tracks which is why other famous brands in Croatia and almost all of them have become smash hits. To GIBONNI have also wanted to be associated with his this day, “Mirakul” has been sold into 60,000 copies. 1. Samnom ili bez mene (Croatia Records, 1991.) name. In the marketing world, such means of In 2006, following the longest hiatus in his career, 2. Noina arka (Croatia Records, 1993.) collaboration is favourable for both parties. That he releases “Unca fibre (vodič za brodolomce i Song “Mi smo prvaci” (We Are The Champions) is why Gibonni was chosen to be endorsed by anđele čuvare)” (An Ounce of Fever (A Guide for becomes the anthem of the Croatian Olympic many brands such as: SMS, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Castaways and Guardian Angels)) for which he wins Committe. Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Samsung, etc. With the eight Porin awards. This album follows the trend of 3. Kruna od perja (Croatia Records, 1994.) release of his latest single “Žeđam” in 2009, collaborations with high-class musicians, such as the Porin award for song “Cesarica” performed by he has renewed his contract with his partner world's leading guitar virtuoso - Australian artist Oliver Dragojević. of many years, telecommunications company Tommy Emmanuel, American soul and jazz singer 4. Koncert (Croatia Records, 1995.) T-Mobile. Cooperation continued also on a very Maya Azucena and Croatian legends such as Goran 5. Ruža vjetrova (Croatia Records, 1997.) successful tour. Bare, Mladen Badovinec from the band T.B.F., Goran 6. Judi, zviri i beštimje (Dallas Records, 1999.) Bregović and Coco Mosquito from the band Jinx, 7 Porin awards www.facebook.com/GIBONNIfanovi who made a remix of the single “Sebi dovoljna” 7. Mirakul (Dallas Records, 2001.) 8 Porin awards dallasmusic.blog.hr (Self–sufficient). 8. Unca fibre (Dallas Records, 2006.) 8 Porin awards www.brodolomci.com The next step in his career is a series of 9. Acoustic/Electric (Dallas Records, 2007.) www.samsungmobile.com.hr/gibonni unforgettably brilliant concerts, resulting in a double 10. Toleranca (Dallas Records, 2010) live album “Acoustic/Electric”. New arrangements THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT... added a new touch to the already established hits, COMPILATIONS such as “Mirakul” and “Posoljeni zrak i razlivena tinta” 1. 24 Karata/18 Velikih (24 Carats/18 Great ones) Gibonni (Croatia Records, 1999.) 2. Svi moji punti kad se zbroje (Box Set) (When all In the 80s Gibonni was a member of the my points add up) (Dallas Records, 2003.) Sarajevo band Divlje jagode. 3. Platinum Collection (Croatia Records, 2006.) 4. Kolekcija (Collection)(Croatia Records, 2006.) Gibonni has published a book of lyrics written in Braille, called “Dvije duše” (Two souls). The DVD profit from the sale goes to the blind in the 1.