Who Is Sejo Kalač

Sejo Kalač (born Sead Kalač) is a Montenegrin singer of pop-folk and folk music, born on 5 October 1964 in Rožaje. He is best known for the song „Ala, ala“, which is considered one of the most recognizable hits of the Balkan folk and tavern music scene of the early 2000s. Audiences also remember him for „Da li si me voljela ili nisi“, „A jesam te volio“, „Kafanska pjevačica“ and „Bišćanka“.

He began his music career as an accordionist in the band „Paukova mreža“, then set out on a solo path and released his first album with the record label PGP-RTB. Throughout the 1990s he recorded in Belgrade, Munich, Ljubljana and Linz, and toward the end of the decade he returned to the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

Kalač recorded duets with singers Stoja and Šemsa Suljaković, and he singles out composer Goran Ratković Rale as one of his most important collaborators. This article follows his path from his native region to his biggest hits, as well as the period when he withdrew from the public eye.

Early Life and Childhood

Sead Kalač was born on 5 October 1964 in Rožaje, which was then part of the SFR Yugoslavia and is now in Montenegro. His brother, Caki Kalač, is also a singer. Details about Kalač’s childhood and family are not thoroughly documented in reliable sources, and he rarely speaks about his private life.

Education

Sejo Kalač received a formal music education. According to available information, he completed lower music school in Belgrade, in the accordion department, and then enrolled at the Higher Pedagogical School (Viša pedagoška škola).

In an interview for the show „Stars specijal“ on Kurir television, he also revealed that he spent some time training to become a nutritionist in Zemun. He admitted that he regrets not having completed that training.

Early Career

The Band „Paukova mreža“

He first appeared on the music scene as a member of the band „Paukova mreža“, in which he played the accordion. The band performed in restaurants, hotels and discotheques throughout the former Yugoslavia. After leaving the band, Kalač began his solo career.

The First Solo Album and Years Abroad

While living in Belgrade, he recorded his first solo album, „Ulica jorgovana“, which was released in 1991 by PGP-RTB, a record label that was later renamed PGP-RTS. The album came out under the name Sead Kalač.

Soon afterward he went abroad. He recorded his next album in Munich, while work on one of his following albums began in Ljubljana in the mid-1990s. One album was also made in Linz, Austria. Sources differ on the exact titles and release years of some albums from that period, which is why this article does not list them individually.

Rise to Popularity

The Bihać Festival and the Return to the Balkans

A turning point came in 1998, when he premiered the song „Bišćanka“ at the festival in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to available information, the song won him the festival, and afterward he returned to the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The song also gave its name to his album of the same title.

The Years of Greatest Popularity

In the early 2000s, Kalač released a series of albums that cemented his popularity. Among them are „Dva života“, „Baš ti“ (2002), „Voda, vazduh i sloboda“ (2003) and „Ala, ala“ (2004). The album „Baš ti“ was released by Grand Production and includes the songs „Kraljica“, „Kafanska pjevačica“ and „Bolje da sam pijan nego lud“.

The 2004 album „Ala, ala“ marked the peak of his popularity. The title song became his biggest hit, and it was joined by „Da li si me voljela ili nisi“, „E moj ćale“ and „A jesam te volio“.

The albums „Gost“ (2007) and „Dođe to iz duše“ (2009) followed. Over the course of his career he released material with several record labels, including PGP-RTB, Nimfa Sound, Grand Production and BN Music.

Greatest Achievements

Best-Known Songs

Kalač’s repertoire includes numerous songs that remain part of the tavern and folk repertoire. The following are most often singled out:

• „Ala, ala“ – his biggest hit, from the album of the same name released in 2004
• „Da li si me voljela ili nisi“
• „A jesam te volio“
• „E moj ćale“
• „Kafanska pjevačica“
• „Bolje da sam pijan nego lud“
• „Fajront“
• „Kraljica“
• „Bišćanka“
• „Gost“

Collaborations and Duets

Collaborations with other performers also brought him success. With singer Stoja he recorded a new version of the song „Tika tak“, which he had first released in 2000, with the remake created in 2003. With Šemsa Suljaković he recorded the song „Lažu te“, which first appeared on her 2000 album „Ne vjerujem nikom više“ and later on Kalač’s album „Voda, vazduh i sloboda“. Both duets were very well received by audiences.

Kalač also recorded the song „Sunce sjalo“ with singer Jana, which appeared on her 2005 album „Malo magije“.

Among composers, in an interview for Kurir television he singled out Goran Ratković Rale as a particularly important collaborator. He described him as an outstanding and very strict composer who had a decisive influence on his voice and singing style.

The compilation album „Najbolji hitovi“ was released in 2011. According to music platform data, the album „Kafansko veče (Live)“, featuring live performances, also came out in 2022.

Withdrawal from the Public Eye

In recent years, Sejo Kalač has rarely appeared in the media or on major stages. In an interview for „Stars specijal“ on Kurir television, he explained that he deliberately chooses a withdrawn life because he prefers not to be at the center of media attention.

He described his days as calm, mentioning visits to his children and running among his activities. Even so, in the same conversation he announced that he was returning to the music scene.

Private Life

Sejo Kalač holds Montenegrin and Croatian citizenship. For a long time he lived in Zagreb, and according to a 2015 interview he was staying in the German city of Offenbach. His current place of residence has not been publicly confirmed.

He was married for 22 years, and from that marriage he has a son and a daughter. The marriage ended in divorce. In an interview for Kurir television, he said that jealousy and his frequent absences because of work played a part. His brother, Caki Kalač, is also a singer.

Fun Facts

• He released his first album, „Ulica jorgovana“, under the name Sead Kalač rather than under his stage name.
• He began his music career as an accordionist, not as a singer.
• A cattle character in the 2007 Serbian animated film „Džet-set“ was inspired by him.
• The song „Tika tak“ exists in two versions: the original from 2000 and the duet with Stoja from 2003.
• For a time he trained to become a nutritionist in Zemun, but he did not complete that training.

Awards and Recognition

The best-known recognition associated with Sejo Kalač is his win at the Bihać festival in 1998 with the song „Bišćanka“. No other awards are listed in the reliable sources available.

Legacy and Influence

Sejo Kalač is among the singers whose songs defined the Balkan folk and tavern music scene of the early 2000s. Hits such as „Ala, ala“ and „Kafanska pjevačica“ are still part of the tavern repertoire and remain present on music platforms today.

His influence is also visible in popular culture, as he became the inspiration for a character in the film „Džet-set“. Through duets with Stoja and Šemsa Suljaković, he connected audiences from different parts of the former Yugoslavia.

Biography – Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sejo Kalač?

Sejo Kalač, born Sead Kalač, is a Montenegrin singer of pop-folk and folk music. He is best known for the song „Ala, ala“ from 2004.

When and where was Sejo Kalač born?

He was born on 5 October 1964 in Rožaje, Montenegro, then part of the SFR Yugoslavia. Some sources give Peć as his place of birth.

What is Sejo Kalač’s real name?

His real name is Sead Kalač. He uses the nickname Sejo as his stage name.

What is Sejo Kalač’s best-known song?

He is best known for the song „Ala, ala“, which gave its name to his 2004 album. „Da li si me voljela ili nisi“, „A jesam te volio“ and „Kafanska pjevačica“ are also popular.

What instrument did Sejo Kalač play?

He played the accordion in the band „Paukova mreža“, with which he first appeared on the music scene. According to available information, he completed lower music school in the accordion department.

Who did Sejo Kalač record duets with?

He recorded duets with singers Stoja and Šemsa Suljaković. With Jana he recorded the song „Sunce sjalo“ for her album „Malo magije“.

Which albums did Sejo Kalač release?

His albums include „Ulica jorgovana“ (1991), „Baš ti“ (2002), „Voda, vazduh i sloboda“ (2003), „Ala, ala“ (2004), „Gost“ (2007) and „Dođe to iz duše“ (2009). He also released the compilation album „Najbolji hitovi“ (2011).

Does Sejo Kalač have children?

Yes, he has a son and a daughter from a marriage that ended in divorce.

Is Sejo Kalač married?

According to his words in an interview for Kurir television, he divorced after 22 years of marriage.

Is Sejo Kalač still active?

In recent years he has rarely appeared in public and has chosen a withdrawn life. In the same interview, he announced a return to the music scene.

Conclusion

Sejo Kalač has traveled a path from accordionist in the band „Paukova mreža“ to one of the recognizable voices of the Balkan folk scene. He released his first album with PGP-RTB, and throughout the 1990s he recorded in several European cities. His turning point came in 1998 at the festival in Bihać, and he reached the peak of his popularity with the song „Ala, ala“.

Through duets with Stoja and Šemsa Suljaković, as well as his collaboration with composer Goran Ratković Rale, he widened his musical circle. Although he has withdrawn from the public eye in recent years, his songs live on in the tavern repertoire, and Sejo Kalač remains one of the better-known names in regional folk music.