Maja Tatić

Early Life and Musical Education

Maja Tatić was born on October 30, 1970, in Belgrade, in the former Yugoslavia. She grew up and went to school in the city of Banja Luka (now in Bosnia and Herzegovina). At seven years old, Maja gave her first public performance at a children’s song festival in Banja Luka, where she won. During her school years, she also received formal musical training. She attended a primary music school and studied guitar. 

Early Career and International Experience

By her teenage years, Maja Tatić was already performing regularly. At 17, she began her professional singing career as the lead vocalist in local pop bands, including groups named Sonus, Skitnice, and Monaco. These early performances helped her gain experience and confidence as a live singer. In 1992, as the Yugoslav region was going through changes, Maja took an opportunity that broadened her horizons. She moved to the Canary Islands (Spain). There she spent nearly a decade performing there for international audiences. During this period, she sang popular hits by famous global artists like ABBA, Tina Turner, and Shania Twain. She entertained tourists and locals alike. By the time she returned to the Balkans, Maja was a seasoned performer comfortable in front of diverse crowds.

Eurovision Song Contest 2002 and Breakthrough

Maja Tatić’s big break came in 2002 when she entered the Eurovision Song Contest selection. She won the Bosnian national contest (BH Eurosong 2002) in Sarajevo, earning the honor of representing Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest that year. At Eurovision 2002, Maja performed the pop song “Na jastuku za dvoje” (which means “On the Pillow for Two”). She achieved a joint 13th place in the final, scoring 33 points for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Eurovision appearance made Maja Tatić widely known in her home country and the region. Her Eurovision performance opened new doors for her career.

Post-Eurovision Career and Discography

After Eurovision, Maja Tatić continued to build on her success and remained active in the music scene. She performed at many music festivals and televised concerts across the Balkans, further showcasing her talent. For example, in 2002 she took part in the popular Sunčane Skale festival in Montenegro and sang at music events in Banja Luka. In the following years, she also appeared at the Pjesma Mediterana festival in Budva (2005) and various radio music festivals in Serbia and Croatia. These live festival performances kept her in the public eye and helped her songs reach a broader audience.

In 2004, Maja released her debut studio album Lagali su me (translated as “They Lied to Me”). This pop album was published by City Records and included a mix of ballads and upbeat tracks. Four years later, in 2008, she followed up with her second studio album titled Moja te je duša poznala (“My Soul Recognized You”), released through Hayat Production. These albums form the core of her discography and feature some of her best-known songs. Integrating her discography into her career, Maja often performed album tracks live on television and at concerts, further promoting her music.

Duets and collaborations

Throughout her career, Maja Tatić has collaborated with many well-known artists in the former Yugoslav music scene. She recorded memorable duets with rock singer Mladen Vojičić Tifa and with renowned actor-singer Rade Šerbedžija, bringing together different genres and generations. Her powerful duet “Zadnja riječ na usnama” (with Tifa) became especially popular in live performances. Maja’s work has been recognized with several industry honors. Notably, she won three Davorin music awards, a Bosnian music accolade, which affirmed her status as an accomplished pop artist.

In addition, she formed friendships and musical partnerships with regional stars. She performed alongside the late Macedonian pop icon Toše Proeski and the celebrated Macedonian singer Kaliopi during various concerts. Legendary Bosnian singer Jadranka Stojaković even gifted Maja a song. Tatić released the gentle ballad “Sve poruke tvoje” (“All Your Messages”), written by Stojaković, in 2016. This song, introduced late in Maja’s career, showed her ability to interpret mature and emotive material. Overall, the 2000s were a productive period for Maja Tatić, filled with album releases, hit songs, and live appearances that solidified her legacy in the pop genre.

Recent Musical Activities and Media Presence

Moving into the 2010s and beyond, Maja Tatić remained active in music, though she balanced her artistic career with other roles. In 2011, she took on a new position as a music editor and producer at the Radio-Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS). In this role, she works behind the scenes in the music industry and also serves as a radio host, curating music programs. This position kept her involved in the music community and in touch with new talent, even when she was not always on stage.

Despite focusing on production and family life (she became a mother in 2009), Maja never stepped away from performing. In fact, she celebrated major career milestones with a return to the concert stage. On June 15, 2022, she held her first solo concert at the historic Kastel Fortress in Banja Luka, marking 35 years of her singing career and the 20th anniversary of her Eurovision appearance. She performed her biggest hits in new arrangements, including the signature Eurovision song “Na jastuku za dvoje”, as well as fan favorites like “Čuvaj leđa” and “Sve poruke tvoje”. The event featured guest appearances by her longtime friends and collaborators, such as members of the trio “One tri” and rocker Tifa, which made the night even more memorable. The concert was well-received, and many in the audience appreciated the nostalgia and emotion Maja brought to the stage after so many years.

2022-

Around the same time, Maja Tatić treated her listeners to new recordings. In September 2022, she released a career-spanning compilation album titled The Best Of Maja Tatić, which included 15 of her most beloved songs in one collection. This compilation was a gift to her audience, summarizing her musical journey in a fresh way. Then, at the very end of 2022, Maja released a brand-new single called “Prvi put” (“For the First Time”). This song was dedicated to her daughter, Lara, and was inspired by her experiences in motherhood. Prvi put was composed and produced in collaboration with local songwriters, and it showcased Maja’s emotive voice, proving that she is still capable of delivering powerful new music. The single received positive feedback and airplay on regional radio stations, reintroducing Maja to a new generation of listeners.

In 2023, following the success of her anniversary concert, a live album recording of that show (titled Maja Tatić Live) was also published. Additionally, Maja has continued to appear in media interviews and television segments, reflecting on her career and discussing the current music scene. She often uses transition periods in her career to mentor young artists and share her industry knowledge.