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Zlatko: Anger has no eyes

Zlatko is easily a synonym for positivism, for what is good in people. He is tongue-in-cheek, saying what everyone could or should, if only they "had balls". And that's also why I'm so excited about it. In ten years, he grew up, maybe lost some of his anger, but in his pieces he remained juicy, passionate, lucid and, most importantly, he kept his message.

It's been ten years since the album The World is Beautiful was released. What is Zlatko like today, does he still believe that the world is beautiful?
Zlatko still believes that the world is beautiful. He believed even when his world, my world, was falling apart. Otherwise, I think that many people did not understand my message. I thought the world itself was beautiful, a world like Earth, which is beautiful. However, I am undoubtedly aware that we have been able to be people, even "dirty", since we have been around. Either under the influence of the devil or not. We are also the reason it is the way it is. I don't like complaining too much, but I've noticed that people don't like working people too much either. So it's not good to be too hardworking, because then the competition doesn't like you. Almost no one likes you. We are in 2017 and I think that everyone has the right to their own opinion and, above all, that everyone has the right to do what makes them happy and not harm others. My world remains beautiful even in storms. I never changed my mind. Bad times have to be overcome, it's not worth complaining. One must accept one's fate, whether it is good or bad. Even though humans are/we are still "dirty", I believe in good. I recently heard a sad piece of information: over 400 million people are malnourished. In Europe today we can give every inhabitant a kilo of gold, in two days we will want a kilo more. Yes, it is the body, but the soul must also be taken care of.

How do you manage to stay so positive? This is, at least for me, an outstanding virtue these days.
I grew up on macadam, only later fell in love with concrete. I always liked Indians who knew how to stay in touch with nature. We are often sucked into a circle of society, and I admit that I don't take enough time to take a vacation myself. I am aware that iron is forged while it is hot, but we must never forget this contact with nature: whether it is a spring, a river, the sea, a forest. I think those are the key things. It's good to be socially responsible, but it's good to take care of yourself. But everyone has to find their own peace. The time when he can be alone, think and "set the dice" anew. In the end, my personal experience is this: we white people, as nice and democratic as we are, are also the most duplicitous. And if we look at the other positions, we stand very well, especially if we look at the rest of the underdeveloped world. I think that this is a kind of reason that I remain satisfied - I have food to eat, to drink, I am warm... Of course, I see that there are hundreds of other things that are offered to me, but whenever I have achieved something that I wanted wanted, I saw that it was only momentary happiness. There is no gambling, there is no luck in games. A person thus comes to the conclusion that he is looking for things that truly make him happy.

What was Zlatko like in his childhood and teenage years? Did he also radiate positivity, or was it brought to him by growing up and experience?
Ever since I can remember, I have been positive, more Indian'c. I can see it in my children too, it's probably in our genes. I loved to laugh, I never wished anything bad on anyone. But it is true that society does not always smile back. If someone laughs too much, society tries to prevent it, it is not good for someone to laugh too much, laughter is contagious. But in the end, I am the one who decides whether I will let people know me or not, whether I will fully believe in myself and what I represent, whether I will give up... The other option is out of the question.

"Bad moments have to be overcome, it's not worth complaining." (Photo: Matic Kremžar)
"Bad moments have to be overcome, it's not worth complaining." (Photo: Matic Kremžar)

Did growing up in Fužine, in this, in my opinion, completely unfairly called a ghetto, mark you? I assume it was mainly for your inspiration?
More than this depicted story of the dark side of Fužina, I was affected by the war in Bosnia. The dark side in Fužine would practically not even exist if it weren't for certain situations and the kind of politics that existed. They needed a scapegoat and then they chose some settlements. If the energy of young people is concentrated in a small area and is not directed to, for example, sports or culture, what else is left for them but to find their own entertainment. But we know what fun means today. I always represented the bright side of Fužine, I always highlighted our athletes, as well as the percentage of these people who allegedly brought Fužine into disrepute. And it's no different than anywhere else. Most of the sad things happened because of illegal substances, if I may say so. Fortunately, thank God, this has improved quite a bit and today Fužine is one beautiful settlement. Although I no longer live there myself, my children go to school and kindergarten there. You have nearby Ljubljanica, Golovec, the city center, ring road, post office, bank, shop... Here children still play outside, playing basketball or football on the playground. They set up an outdoor gym. For more than 25 years, indoor soccer has traditionally been played in the Bundesliga in the summer. The war in Bosnia marked me more than this sad side of Fužina, so I stand by the belief that there is no good war, nor bad peace. I was practically forced to feel this too early, which left certain consequences, but also made me stronger. That is also why I am who I am today.

Has rap been with you since childhood?
No, but I've always loved music. Music has always been something that has fascinated me. I have never defined myself in terms of musical genres. I listened to everything that was good. If something is good, it is good. I don't care about genre. But if something is bad, even if it is part of what I do or where I belong, it is bad. It is the same with people and nationalism. It doesn't matter who a person is, what color they are or what they represent, only their actions, good or bad, matter. Otherwise, this "locksmithing" only developed in high school. I can only say that the formula is the same whether it's a music career or a sports career: in a sports career you have to start early, but in a music career you have more time. Sometimes one song is enough, but sometimes ten or a hundred are not enough. I think people recognize sincerity regardless of the situation and the politics. Politics is everywhere. If you ask musicians today, they will all stay away from politics, and politics is actually everywhere. Also on the radio. No one wants to be part of politics, but everyone is in it. You can accept the policy of a certain radio station, which dictates that you prepare "stupid" songs. If you look at what's going around today, if you look at the lyrics, you will see that they are very empty, very weak, there is no energy, no message... Apparently they like to see us like this. And as soon as someone with energy and a message shows up, they logically stand out. There is no jealousy involved here, I just dare to speak my mind out loud. Those who sincerely want to hear you will already follow you through your channels anyway. But I don't think artists are appreciated enough, especially considering how much effort goes into creating something.

Over the years, your lyrics have lost some of their anger. Are you actually less angry?
Logically, they lost, I will also tell you why. I've noticed that sometimes people like to push you to the front row. You'll lose your head and they'll laugh saying, "ha ha ha, look at how he ended up". On the other hand, everyone knows everything I'm saying. Especially smart ones. Some pretend they don't want to know this, some are open people and understand me. With music, I can stay on a good path and I try to use it to motivate young people or everyone who listens to me. I can give them a good feeling when they hear a piece. To tell them things nicely, sincerely, warmly, intelligently, and above all from the heart. Sincere feelings are lacking today. If you look at the politicians, they are all built on the same footing. But nobody brainwashed me, I'm just a human with feelings. If you tell me something that is not true, I will stand up for myself, I will react. If I'm in a good mood, I'll scream, if I'm in a bad mood, I'll show it, I won't hide it. Otherwise, it's nice to get angry, but anger has no eyes. And I never put swear words and bad words in the lyrics just to be cool, just because I'm missing the point and wouldn't know what else to say. Mainly I want to motivate, my pieces are real. I will not lie to you that I am poor, that I am a bum. Many people will find themselves in such texts. Why? Because they've found someone else who feels this way and take comfort in knowing they're not the only one. No, I'm the one who was once where you are, telling you that you can move on. Otherwise, it's not that I'm not angry, but I'm maturing, I'm older, it's only been ten years since the first record and I've released one every year. Even before that, I "freestyled" for six or seven years, I was even angrier. You don't even know me like this. If I thought the same way I did all those years ago, I'd just be someone who hasn't progressed in his life. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but I stick to the saying: "Cursed be the day in which a person doesn't learn anything new."

"Cursed be the day in which one does not learn anything new." (Photo: Matic Kremžar)
"Cursed be the day in which one does not learn anything new." (Photo: Matic Kremžar)

About how angry you used to be, what characterized you, where you draw your energy from, what your family means to you... We will be able to read all this in the upcoming biography, which you are writing together with Juri Hudolin.
I think it's important that people know, at least those who follow me, that nothing has been simple, even though I'm in a good mood and smiling most of the time. Even in my life, things happened that were unfair. And it seems wrong to me that we then keep it inside. I think the finger should be pointed at the crooks. Otherwise, this is not a book where I would point out only that. The book will tell the story all the way from my birth and practically until today, until this December. The biography will likely be printed next year. I want this to be an additional motivation for all younger colleagues. That they have one guy that no one would ever think would go into these waters and make it.

I saw your music video for the song Kompromis. According to some, you are walking on the edge with it, but I am sure that it has a greater message than you might say at first glance.
The story is very simple. It is always about the same woman, and this love is so strong that you can see it in several forms. In the end, I come to confess to a psychologist, my colleague Vid Valič also comes after me and I say to him: "Vid, but in the end there is always that one real babe." And he says to me: "I know, because that's why I'm here." What but it's wrong if I say: "Fak friend, how hot is a babe?" I stand for the fact that a woman is not hot only if she is sexy. A smart woman can convince a smart man with many other things. Sometimes you have to talk to people, it's not all about satisfaction. Or someone may have higher satisfaction criteria. I've already gotten used to the fact that "dogs bark, the caravan moves on". It's a super classic. If people knew how long it takes you to create something like this, they would just applaud. But I'm used to it.

Do you think that young people are losing perspective, as we can often see somewhere?
Not all young people are as "lost" as we would like to present them. But it is sad if young people will continue to listen to certain things that are the first ball. Or rather, I hope that they will be listened to only during a certain period. If you listen to something without a message just because there was media exposure, it's not such an innocent thing. Media shapes society. So if you point out something like that and the child accepts it, but outgrows it, that's fine. It's another thing if he stays at this level, that is, if he doesn't progress in life. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for each individual, it's never too late to do what's right. It's never too late for a person to learn and try to move.

"I stand behind the fact that a woman is not bad only if she is sexy. A smart woman can convince a smart man with many other things." (Photo: Matic Kremžar)
"I stand behind the fact that a woman is not bad only if she is sexy. A smart woman can convince a smart man with many other things." (Photo: Matic Kremžar)

You will also celebrate the anniversary of your first album appropriately. What can we expect from Zlatek and the team?
You can expect progress from 2007. The concert is set in a larger space, in the Šiška Cinema. We start on December 22 at 9:00 p.m. I will have a concrete line-up of musicians, we will not start any circus. I really want to do my best and show people that these 10 years were not in vain. Everyone who followed me will come anyway, everyone who ever doubted me is welcome. "Haters" are not allowed to enter. If you know it's not all cool, don't pull my tongue. I'm a cool guy, just don't mistake my kindness for my naivety. The world is beautiful, let yourself be surprised.

Sweetie, let your positivity shine on our readers. What would you like to tell our readers on New Year's Eve, what is your itinerary for 2018?
Very simple. May every day be a new year. Let's try to keep "Happy December" throughout the year. You wish for your neighbor what you wish for yourself (in a positive sense, of course). I won't salt my brain too much and give advice, I think people are smart enough.

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