Belgrade Installation Honours Serbian-born Musical Visionary ‘Suba’

The exhibition honours Suba's contribution to music and provides a unique opportunity for fans and music enthusiasts to gain a deeper understanding of his life and work.

In addition to the exhibition, the event features a range of side events, including talk panels, lectures, video screenings, jam sessions and performances by leading Belgrade DJs.

Suba, also known as Rex Ilusivi, was a pioneering producer and composer whose innovative sound left a lasting impact on contemporary music in both former Yugoslavia and Brazil. His creative vision and unique approach to electronic music continue to influence artists around the world.

Photo: BIRN/Ivana Jeremic

Suba was a trailblazer in electronic music in former Yugoslavia, producing several acclaimed albums for Yugoslav new-wave acts, including Ekatarina Velika (EKV) and Haustor in the 1980s. His innovative production style helped to define the sound of the era and cemented his reputation as a visionary in the music industry.

Photo: BIRN/Ivana Jeremic

In 1986, Suba's fusion of electronic music and traditional Yugoslav folk lullabies in his album In The Mooncage earned him an International Fund for Promotion of Culture award from UNESCO. As part of the award, he received a three-month scholarship to study Afro-Brazilian rhythms in Brazil, which sparked his love for the country and its music.

Subsequently, he moved to São Paulo in the 1990s, where he lived and worked until his death. During this time, he collaborated with Milan Mladenovic in his final project Angel's Breath, and produced his renowned album São Paulo Confessions.

Photo: BIRN/Ivana Jeremic

In November 1999, Suba was in the midst of...