IVXN and his 'Monopoly': The biggest favorite of this year's Dora?

We are talking about the young and extremely talented singer Ivan Milić, whose song “Monopol” became a real phenomenon. This hit entered the trending charts in all countries of the former Yugoslavia and secured Ivan the status of a regional star. But that's not all - “Monopol” is currently the only song from Dora that is on the prestigious Deezer Hot 100 chart, where it occupies a high 20th place. On the Spotify platform, the song has been officially declared the most listened to, which further confirms its popularity and Ivan's charisma.

Ivan Milić, better known by his stage name IVXN, has nurtured a passion for music and creative expression since a young age, building the path he proudly represents today. His connection to the Eurovision Song Contest, which captivated him since childhood, has marked every step of his creative development and shaped his artistic personality.

After graduating from the Faculty of Economics, Ivan broadened his horizons by living in the United States and Spain. This international experience enriched him not only professionally, but also personally, as it opened up new perspectives on the world and art. Despite the allure of living abroad, his love for Croatia and his irresistible desire for musical expression brought him back to his homeland, where he found new inspiration and strength to create.

Ivan's connection with Dora and Eurovision began in his childhood. As a ten-year-old, he wrote his first song for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and dreamed of performing on the big stage. Although his later life paths led him in different directions, his passion for music never faded. Last year's success as the Croatian representative at Eurovision further motivated him to pursue his childhood dream again and enter Dora.

With the song Monopol IVXN brings an explosive combination of dance, strong emotions and his authentic artistic vision. His performance is not only the realization of a personal dream, but also an opportunity to establish a deep connection with the audience through music. Music, which has accompanied him since childhood, is Ivan's greatest passion and an expression of his most intimate artistic energy.

IVXN believes that music is a universal language, and his performance at Dora is a symbol of this dream – of bringing people together through emotion, rhythm and melody. He sees the continuation of his story as an opportunity to leave his mark on the music scene and inspire others to follow their dreams with the same passion and dedication.

“Music has incredible power – it unites, tells stories and creates memories that last a lifetime. When a song is created as a gift, it becomes more than music. It is a symbol of love, attention and community. That is how Monopoly was created – as a gift, a fusion of our rich tradition and top-notch western Swedish production. The tambourine in Sweden may sound like an unusual combination, but to me it is a symbol of friendship, cooperation and the creation of something unique. In my own experience, music is a universal language that connects us without borders. My friends, whom I experience as a big family, played a key role in the creation of this song, and the colleagues who joined this project added their energy, creativity and talent to create a spectacle worthy of a stage like Dora. At Dora, we musicians do not only represent ourselves – we represent the audience, the jury and the entire music scene of our country. This stage deserves respect and dedication, and it is our responsibility to justify the trust given to us. "When we do something with love, when we put our heart and our whole being into it, we can create magic. But that dedication can also make us vulnerable," concludes the young rising singer.

Monopoly is about this vulnerability – situations where someone takes control of our emotions, decisions, or even our entire lives. This can happen in romantic, business, or even friendship relationships. While we all make mistakes, it’s crucial to recognize them, change our behavior, and learn to protect ourselves. The song speaks to the pain and helplessness we go through in toxic relationships, while also reminding us of an important lesson: take care of yourself and your mental health.

That “Oooo” in the song symbolizes the feeling of helplessness, but also the beginning of breaking out of the vicious cycle. Mental health must come first – no person, situation, or relationship should have a monopoly on our lives and happiness.

“I found the inspiration for the song in a place that has a special meaning to me – my place of origin, one of the most beautiful in Croatia. That’s where the first thoughts about Monopoly were born. It was the moment when ideas and emotions came together to create a song that eventually became a part of me. Interestingly, the day after recording the song, I dreamed of singing it. That moment was a sign for me that Monopoly is a truly special project – a song that lives in me and through me. Even as a child in kindergarten, I sang Mary Magdalene and dreamed of Eurovision. Today, these dreams are becoming a reality. For me, Dora is not only an opportunity to make dreams come true, but also to enrich our national selection with music that carries a message, emotion and lesson. I am happy that through the song I can share a part of myself with the audience and create moments that, I hope, will remain in the memory of everyone who hears it. Monopoly is not just a song – it is a story about people, relationships and the importance of taking care of yourself. "It is my gift to all who believe that music is more than a melody - that it is a way to protect ourselves and at the same time love others, with the right balance and respect for ourselves," concludes Ivan Milić, better known as IVXN.

Because of this success, Ivan Milić enters the competition with high expectations and even greater support from the audience, which places him among the main favorites of this year's Dora. Will Monopol secure Ivan a ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest and bring Croatia a new musical hit on the international scene? The audience will decide, but one thing is certain - Ivan has already left an indelible mark on the domestic and regional music scene.