Adnan Hamidović (born 31 May 1982), better known by his stage name Frenkie, is a Bosnianrapper[1] from Tuzla. The themes present in his music are often concerned with the political situation in Bosnia,[2] as well as traditional hip-hop subject matter such as battle rapping and pop culture. He was one of the pioneers for graffiti and hip-hop culture in Bosnia. As of 2022, he has recorded seven full-length albums: Odličan CD (2005), Povratak Cigana (2007), Protuotrov (2009), Troyanac (2012), Putanja (2016, recorded in Berlin), Egzil (2017, recorded in Tokyo), album 2020 (2019, recorded in Los Angeles), and Stari Frenkie (2021). He also released extended playsPokreni se (2008), DNA (2015, with Billain), and a Bosnian-only album, DOSTA (2006).[3]
Frenkie is also a member of the crew Disciplinska Komisija which includes Edo Maajka, HZA, Kiing Mire and Dj Soul. As of 2016, he was performing with his producer Indigo and the Sarajevo-based rapper Kontra.
Personal life and career
Early life
Adnan Hamidović was born in Bijeljina on 31 May 1982, where he lived until 1992, when the Bosnian War started. After escaping the war, he settled with his family in Nürnberg, Germany until 1998. There he was first introduced to hip-hop culture, and he started to make hip-hop music and do graffiti. His first rap lyrics were in German. German hip-hop has influenced his style of rap throughout his career. After returning to Bosnia, he went to Tuzla and continued with his graffiti, making him one of the first to make hip-hop related graffiti art after the war.
Early career
In 1999, with the beginning of the station Fmjam on Radio Kameleon, he befriended DJ Soul and Erol, who started Fmjam and the first hip-hop demo singles. Frenkie, Koma, Ady started the group "Prljavi Anđeli" (Dirty Angels).
Then later that same year, "Disciplinska Komisija" (DK) was formed. At the time of the formation the members were: spearhead of the group Edo Maajka, Frenkie, Hamaz, Mire, Koma and their DJ Soul. Edo Maajka released his popular album "Slusaj Mater" and started tours and concerts, during which he was joined by Frenkie. In Edo Maajka's second studio album "No Sikiriki", Frenkie is featured on two songs.
Recent activity
Frenkie's first album, Odličan CD, was released in 2005. It included the singles "Bruce Lee Rap" with Baby Dooks and "Raise" with Defence. Frenkie's second album, DOSTA!, featuring his beat maker King Mire from Brčko, was released in June 2006 and was dedicated to the movement of the same name. Singles from the album include:
"Rat Savezu" which was dedicated to the Bosnian Soccer Fans "BHFANATICOS" in their fight against the Bosnian Football Federation; Frenkie has released a video clip for this song.
In 2007, radio station 202 was fined 5,000 euros by the Bosnian organization RAK for Frenkie's single "Mr. Policeman," a song talking about corrupt police forces. [citation needed] He has also released a video for "Mr Policeman." After that fine, Frenkie released a song in response to RAK on FMJam called "Massiv", which criticizes and mocks this institution.
The title track of his album, Povratak Cigana (2007), was released as its first single on FMJAM's website. It features Hamza, Frenkie's long time friend. [citation needed]
In addition to his solo work, Frenkie has featured on many Disciplinska Komisija songs such as "America 2" and "Ustaj", and on Edo Maajka's albums on "Ozezi", "Ne-Mo-Zes" and "Stvoren Za Rep".
Frenkie recorded a song with Masta Ace called Živili. It was released on Frenkie's 2009 album Protuotrov.
Frenkie is part of the Diversidad crew. Diversidad: A Unique European Urban Experience has a collective album gathering twenty rappers, beat-makers and DJs, which includes Frenkie. [citation needed]
To mark the 10 year anniversary of his debut album, Frenkie released the compilation album Reexperience, which featured his greatest hits as well as new songs and remixed songs.
In September 2016, Frenkie, Kontra and producer Indigo released a collaborative album entitled Putanja. The album was recorded in Red Bull Studios in Berlin and entirely produced by Indigo. [citation needed]
On 10 September 2019, Frenkie had a public forum on which he presented his new book Koraci (Steps). It was held in reading rooms of City Library of Zenica, as a part of fourth dokuMfest (only Bosnian festival of documentaries).[4] He also released a book called Lack-Made in Bosnia which documents his graffiti career.
On 8 November 2019, Frenkie announced a new album entitled 20/20 (made in collaboration with Kontra and Indigo and worked in Los Angeles based Red Bull Music Studios / Red Bull Camp Stewart);[5][6] its publishing date is 20 December 2019[7] and marks 20-years anniversary of FM JAM crew existence.[5]20/20 has 12 songs, some videos and a short documentary, and is the third Kontra and Indigo joint project with Frenkie—first two being Berlin and Tokyo.[6] Album mastering was done by respected James Musshorn, and studio engineer was Henry D'Ambrosio;[6] recording finished on 1 October 2019[8] Departure for the United States was on 8 September 2019 from Spain, where the crew, in Lloret de Mar, held their first concert in Spain.[9] The day was described as the beginning of the new album project.[10]
Discography
Year
Title
Label
Certification
Singles
2005
Odličan CD
Menart/Fmjam
Platinum
"Raise", "Bruce Lee Rap"
2006
DOSTA!
Menart/Fmjam
N/A
"Mr. Policeman", "Rat savezu"
2007
Povratak Cigana
Menart/Fmjam
2× Platinum
"Povratak cigana", "Ja ne znam", "Prepoznaj"
2008
Pokreni se
Menart/Fmjam
N/A
"Pokreni se"
2009
Protuotrov
Menart/Fmjam
Platinum
"Tebi", "Haj to"
2010
Featuring mixtape
Menart/Fmjam
N/A
N/A
2011
Diversidad - The Experience Album
N/A
N/A
N/A
2012
Troyanac
N/A
N/A
N/A
2014
#DNA
N/A
N/A
N/A
2015
Reexperience
N/A
N/A
N/A
2015
Putanja
N/A
N/A
N/A
2017
Egzil
N/A
N/A
N/A
2019
20/20
Red Bull Camp Stewart
N/A
N/A
Filmography
Documentaries
Who the Fuck is Frenkie (came out with his album Protuotrov, 2009)
