Luke Black Explained

Luke Black
Native Name:Лук Блек
Native Name Lang:sr-Cyrl
Birth Name:Luka Ivanović
Birth Date:1992 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Čačak, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia
Years Active:2014–present

Luka Ivanović (Serbian: Лука Ивановић; born 18 May 1992), known professionally as Luke Black (Serbian: Лук Блек|separator=" / "|Luk Blek), is a Serbian singer and songwriter. Born in Čačak, he became the first Serbian artist to be signed under Universal Music Group, through which he released his debut EP, Thorns, in February 2015.[1] He represented Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Samo mi se spava", placing 24th in the grand final.[2] Described as the "Serbian pop alchemist", his music draws from a range of electropop and experimental pop music influences.[3]

Early life

Luka Ivanović was born on 18 May 1992 in Čačak, FR Yugoslavia. He pursued interest in music at the age of 12 when he started writing his own lyrics, and a couple of years later also began creating and producing music.[4] After graduating from the Grammar School of Čačak, he relocated to Belgrade to study English language and literature at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology.[5]

Ivanović stated that his stage name "Luke" comes from the anglicisation of his first name, while "Black" originates from when he as a teenager expressed forty days of mourning for the "death of the Serbian music scene".[6]

Career

2010−2019: Career beginnings, Thorns and Neoslavic

His career began when the performance of his song "D-Generation" was noticed by the representatives of Universal Music Group, offering him a recording contract. He made his recording debut with the help from the Serbian music collective Zemlja Gruva. In 2014, Black released his first single "Nebula Lullaby" through Spinnup. In May the same year, he had his first live performance at the Belgrade Youth Center as a part of the Gruvlend Festival, which was organized by Zemlja Gruva to showcase new talents.[7] "D-Generation" was officially released in February 2015 as the lead single to Luke's debut EP. The music video for the single was uploaded through Vevo. "D-Generation" was followed by the second single "Holding on to Love" in May 2015.[8] Thorns the EP was eventually released on 18 September 2015 under Universal.[9] The following month, it was promoted at the Waves Vienna festival and Tvornica kulture in Zagreb, where Black served as the opening act for the band Lust For Youth.[9] [10] [11]

In May 2016, Black released the standalone single "Demons", produced by Venza from Spain.[12] The song was also nominated to represent Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, but Radio Television of Serbia ultimately went with "Goodbye (Shelter)" by Sanja Vučić.[13] In June, to promote the single Black embarked on a solo tour in China, performing in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.[12]

In April 2017, he performed at a fashion show during the Berlin Alternative Fashion Week, held at the Berghain nightclub. There he announced the release of his single "Walpurgis Night", produced by Swede Oscar Fogelström.[14] Remastered versions of "Demons" and "Walpurgis Night" were included to his second EP Neoslavic, released in July 2018. Later that year, Black made an indefinite break from music.

2020–2023: F23.8 and Eurovision Song Contest

In April 2021, Black independently released "A House on the Hill", which was included on his EP F23.8.[15]

In January 2023, he was announced as one of the contestants of the Serbian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, Pesma za Evroviziju '23, with the song "Samo mi se spava".[16] On 1 March, Black performed during the first semi-final, where he placed sixth and thus qualified for the final.[17] [18] Subsequently, on 4 March, "Samo mi se spava" received the most points out of sixteen finalists by coming second on both the televote and the jury vote, making Luke Black the winner of the competition and Serbian representative for the contest in Liverpool.[19] [20] On 9 May, he performed third during the first semi-final of the Eurovision and qualified through to the final by placing 10th.[21] [22] Black dedicated the performance to the Belgrade school shooting victims.[23] In the grand final, on May 13, he performed fifth and ultimately finished in 24th place out of twenty-six entries with 30 points.[2] Serbian media portal Nova.rs credited Luke's low placement in the Eurovision to the comparison to the overwhelming success and acclaim of the previous Serbian entry - Konstrakta, the lack of support from the Serbian general public, technical issues in the semi-final on the behalf of BBC, as well as on the song itself.[24]

Post-Eurovision, Black performed at two sold-out headline shows in London and released a single, the Lily Allen and Nirvana inspired "I'm So Happy", in August 2023.[25] In October he was the opening act for Ukrainian band Go_A at the O2 Academy Islington.

On November 16, Black released another single, "God's Too Cool", a bass-heavy dance track produced by fellow London-based musician Shurk (Benjamin Dunkerley). One month later, Black returned to Serbia for a sold-out concert at the Belgrade Youth Center, on the same stage where he first performed live 10 years prior.[26] A number of his artist friends performed together with him for this occasion, including Konstrakta, the Serbian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

2024: Chainsaws in Paradise

On February 29, Black opened the semi-final 2 of Pesma za Evroviziju '24 with a reprise of his winning entry from the previous year, "Samo mi se spava". In the subsequent interview he announced the release of his first full length album, Chainsaws in Paradise, for May 24, followed by a tour through the United Kingdom, Poland and Finland.[27]

During the voting interval, Black performed an extended version of "God's Too Cool" and premiered the alternative metal song "Chainsaws in Paradise", the title track of his upcoming album. The single was released the following day. Black released two more singles from Chainsaws in Paradise in the following months, "Winter Dahlia" on April 25 and "Drinking Jack With Daddy" on May 8.

Personal life and further education

Black resides in London, England.[28] There, he studied at the Point Blank Music School and subsequently also graduated with a master's degree in music production from the British and Irish Modern Music Institute.[29] [30] Black worked as a graphic designer for a record label in London.[31]

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
CRO
Billb.
[32] 		FIN
[33] 		LTU
[34] 		UK
Down.
[35]
"Nebula Lullaby"2014— — —Singles 2015–2018
"D-Generation"2015— — —Thorns and Singles 2015–2018
"Holding on to Love"— — —
"Jingle Bell Rock" / "Nebula Lullaby"— — —
"Demons"2016— — —Singles 2015–2018
"Walpurgis Night"2017— — —
"Olive Tree"— — —
"Frankensteined"
2019— — —
"A House on the Hill"2021— — —F23.8
"Amsterdam"— — —
"Heartless"— — —
"Samo mi se spava"202325 50 22 83Chainsaws in Paradise
"I'm So Happy"— — — —
"God's Too Cool"— — — —
"Chainsaws in Paradise"2024— — — —
"Winter Dahlia"— — — —
"Drinking Jack With Daddy"— — — —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
"*" detones that a chart didn't exist at the time of release

Music videos

TitleYearDirector
"D-Generation"2015Vasso Vu
"Holding on to Love"Filip Mojzeš, Tatjana Krstevski
"Walpurgis Night"2017Sara Vulovic, Luke Black
"Olive Tree"2017Kosta Djurakovic
"A House on the Hill"2021Vasso Vu, Razorade
"Amsterdam"2021Luke Black
"I'm So Happy"2023Prosper Unger-Hamilton

Notes and References

  1. Web site: U Kini je neverovatno popularan, živi u Londonu, sa Konstraktom radio godinama: Upoznajte Luka koji se takmiči na PZE'23 . . Jovović, P. . 13 January 2023 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 20 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320195330/https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/u-kini-je-neverovatno-popularan-zivi-u-londonu-sa-konstraktom-radio-godinama-upoznajte-luka-koji-se-takmici-na-pze23/ . live .
  2. Web site: Grand-Final of Liverpool 2023 . Eurovision.tv . May 14, 2023 . 18 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518093545/https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/grand-final . live .
  3. Web site: Serbia calling: Hello? Luke Black? . . 1 May 2023 . May 10, 2023 . 10 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510154127/https://eurovision.tv/story/hello-luke-black . live .
  4. Web site: Ko je Luka Blek: Ekscentrični umetnik iz Čačka koji će ove godine predstavljati Srbiju na Evroviziji . Telegraf.rs . Lisinac, N. . 5 March 2023 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306064610/https://www.telegraf.rs/jetset/vesti-jetset/3640450-ko-je-luka-blek . live .
  5. Web site: Luk Blek zahvalan na podršci iz rodnog grada: Čačak me je oduševio . . Pašaljić, S. . 6 March 2023 . sr . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306152419/https://www.rts.rs/page/rts/sr/Pesma+Evrovizije/Pesma-Evrovizije2023/story/3514/pesma-za-evroviziju-2023/5144252/luk-blek-cacak-podrska-pesma-evrovizije-srbija.html . live .
  6. Web site: Luke Black otkrio svoju TAKTIKU na "Pesmi za Evroviziju" - Ja sam MASTER MANIPULATOR, namerno sam loše odradio televizijske nastupe! . Srbija Danas . Stojanović, I. . March 2023 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305130452/https://www.sd.rs/vip/urbano/luke-black-intervju-pesma-za-evroviziju-2023-03-01 . live .
  7. Web site: Prvi Gruvlend festival 9. maja u DOB-u . . 7 May 2014 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 4 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304175045/https://www.b92.net/kultura/vesti.php?nav_category=271&yyyy=2014&mm=05&dd=07&nav_id=844722 . live .
  8. Web site: Luke Black ima novi singl . . 29 May 2015 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 5 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205161139/https://www.b92.net/kultura/vesti.php?nav_category=271&yyyy=2015&mm=05&dd=29&nav_id=997920 . live .
  9. Web site: Luke Black predstavio se debitanskim EP-ijem 'Thorns' . Ravno Do Dna . 18 September 2015 . 5 March 2023 . Croatian . 4 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304175037/https://ravnododna.com/luke-black-predstavio-se-debitanskim-ep-ijem-thorns/ . live .
  10. Web site: Luke Black oduševio fanove na tajnom nastupu . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160601201508/http://www.mtv.rs/vesti/luke-black-odusevio-fanove-na-tajnom-nastupu . 4 March 2023 . 1 June 2016 . sr.
  11. Web site: Luke Black nastupa ispred Lust For Youth u Tvornici kulture . Ravno Do Dna . 4 October 2015 . 5 March 2023 . Croatian . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305124158/https://ravnododna.com/luke-black-nastupa-ispred-lust-for-youth-u-tvornici-kulture/ . live .
  12. Web site: Luke Black – novi singl "Demons" . . D. J. . 30 May 2016 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305124201/https://www.danas.rs/kultura/scena/luke-black-novi-singl-demons/ . live .
  13. Web site: Luke Black predstavio nesuđenu evrovizijsku pesmu 'Demons' . Tracara.com . N. M. . 20 May 2016 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 9 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109045801/http://tracara.com/luke-black-predstavio-nesudenu-evrovizijsku-pesmu-demons/ . live .
  14. Web site: Luke Black oduševio fanove na tajnom nastupu . Atasstars.rs . 12 April 2017 . 4 March 2023 . sr . 4 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304184203/https://www.atastars.rs/vesti-ostalo/muzika/166694-luke-black-najavljuje-novi-singl-nakon-nastupa-u-legendarnom-berlinskom-klubu-berghain/ . live .
  15. Web site: Srpski "pop alhemičar" ima novi singl koji morate čuti . . Jovović, P. . 15 May 2021 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305090845/https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/srpski-pop-alhemicar-ima-novi-singl-koji-morate-cuti/ . live .
  16. Web site: Tijana Dapčević, Frajle, Sajsi MC: Ovo su najpoznatija imena koja će se takmičiti za učešće na Evroviziji . . Jovović, P. . 10 January 2023 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 4 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304175042/https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/tijana-dapcevic-frajle-sajsi-mc-ovo-su-najpoznatija-imena-koja-ce-se-takmiciti-za-evroviziju/ . live .
  17. Web site: Holivudska elegancija Kosjerine, povratak zvezde devedesetih i Konstrakta: Šta je obeležilo prvo polufinale "Pesme za Evroviziju" . . Krkeljić, B. . 2 March 2023 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 4 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304180740/https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/holivudska-elegancija-kosjerine-povratak-zvezde-devedesetih-i-konstrakta-sta-je-obelezilo-prvo-polufinale-pesme-za-evroviziju/ . live .
  18. Web site: Детаљни гласови публике и жирија на фестивалу "Песма за Евровизију 2023" . . 5 March 2023 . sr . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305003949/https://www.rts.rs/page/rts/ci/Pesma+Evrovizije/Pesma-Evrovizije2023/story/3511/pesma-za-evroviziju-2023/5143624/detaljni-glasovi-publike-i-zirija-na-festivalu-pesma-za-evroviziju-2023.html . live .
  19. Web site: Свет можда гори, али у Ливерпул сигурно не идемо да спавамо . . Simonović, I. . 5 March 2023 . sr . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305083014/https://www.rts.rs/page/rts/ci/Pesma+Evrovizije/Pesma-Evrovizije2023/story/3511/pesma-za-evroviziju-2023/5143635/pesma-za-evroviziju-finale-luke-black-analiza.html . live .
  20. Web site: Luke Black predstavlja Srbiju na Pesmi Evrovizije . . D. M. . 5 March 2023 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306030850/https://www.danas.rs/kultura/scena/luke-black-predstavlja-srbiju-na-pesmi-evrovizije-video/ . live .
  21. News: Eurovision 2023: Sweden qualifies but Ireland is out of the final . Mark . Savage . . 9 May 2023 . May 10, 2023 . 10 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510043249/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65540160 . live .
  22. Web site: First Semi-Final of Liverpool 2023 . Eurovision.tv . May 14, 2023 . 19 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519165903/https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/first-semi-final/ . live .
  23. Web site: Luke Black: Želim samo da poručim porodicama nastradalih da ostanu jake . . 10 May 2023 . May 10, 2023 . Sr . 10 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510113848/https://n1info.rs/showbiz/luke-black-posvetio-plasman-u-finale-ljudima-koji-pate-u-srbiji/ . live .
  24. Web site: Šta je zakazalo kod Luka Blacka: Zašto je "pop alhemičar" Evroviziju završio skoro na poslednjem mestu . . Dedakin, I. . 14 May 2023 . 14 May 2023 . sr . 14 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230514090152/https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/sta-je-zakazalo-kod-luka-blacka-zasto-je-pop-alhemicar-evroviziju-zavrsio-skoro-na-poslednjem-mestu/ . live .
  25. Web site: Eurovision star Luke Black on the Lily Allen and Nirvana-inspired ‘I’m So Happy’ . . Trendell, A. . 17 August 2023 . 23 January 2024 . en . 23 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123171049/https://www.nme.com/news/music/eurovision-luke-black-interview-serbia-im-so-happy-single-interview-lily-allen-discord-3484405 . live .
  26. Web site: Luke Black večeras ima veliki koncert u Beogradu: Prvi put nastupa u Srbiji posle Evrovizije . . Jovović, P. . 16 December 2023 . 23 January 2024 . sr . 23 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123171049/https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/luke-black-veceras-ima-veliki-koncert-u-beogradu-prvi-put-nastupa-u-srbiji-posle-evrovizije/ . live .
  27. March 1, 2024 . Pesma za Evroviziju 2024 Polufinale 2 . Song for Eurovision 2024 Semi-final 2 . Television production . sr . Belgrade . . 16 March 2024 . 11 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311103402/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSOzBNtVuUA&feature=youtu.be . live .
  28. News: Eurovision 2023: The other Londoner competing to win in Liverpool . . May 14, 2023 . 14 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230514065858/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-london-65572961 . live .
  29. Web site: Ko je Luke Black, koji će predstavljati Srbiju na Evroviziji 2023? . . B. C. . 5 March 2023 . 5 March 2023 . sr . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306025429/https://www.danas.rs/kultura/scena/luke-black-evrovizija-2023-biografija/ . live .
  30. Web site: A Popjustice reader is representing Serbia at Eurovision. . . Robinson, P. . 22 March 2023 . 1 April 2023 . sr . 1 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401122922/https://popjustice.substack.com/p/a-popjustice-reader-is-representing . live .
  31. Web site: Luke Black otkrio nepoznate detalje o sebi, pa ispričao i kako je upoznao Konstraktu: "Trenutak kada mi ona daje nagradu je nešto najlepše što mi se ikad desilo" . . Krkeljić, B. . 6 March 2023 . 6 March 2023 . sr . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306202310/https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/luke-black-otkrio-nepoznate-detalje-o-sebi-pa-ispricao-i-kako-je-upoznao-konstraktu-trenutak-kada-mi-ona-daje-nagradu-je-nesto-najlepse-sto-mi-se-ikad-desilo/ . live .
    • For "Samo mi se spava": 14 March 2023 . Croatia Songs (Week of March 18, 2023) . 23 March 2023 . . en-US . 14 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314173104/https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2023-03-18/ . live .
  33. Web site: Luke Black – Samo Mi Se Spava. Musiikkituottajat. fi. 20 May 2023. 19 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230519144943/https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/luke+black/samo+mi+se+spava/. live.
  34. Web site: 2023 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 19 May 2023. 19 May 2023. 19 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230519080551/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s20-2/. live.
    • For "Samo mi se spava": Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 . . 21 March 2024 . 27 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527063430/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20230519/7000/ . live .

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