Šaban Bajramović, born on April 16, 1936 in Niš, was a Serbian Romani vocalist and recording artist. He grew up in extreme poverty in Niš and developed his musical skills informally from a young age, performing as a busker to support his family. After serving a prison sentence on Goli Otok following military desertion, he joined a prison orchestra that further shaped his musical development. He made his first recording in 1964 with the group Crna mamba (Black Mamba), beginning a long collaboration that lasted for around twenty years. Bajramović later gained recognition through performances for Indira Gandhi and Josip Broz Tito, which contributed to his reputation as a leading figure in Romani music. In the early nineties, he recorded “Đelem, Đelem,” widely regarded as an anthem of the Romani people. He later collaborated with Mostar Sevdah Reunion, releasing A Gipsy Legend (2001), which brought him renewed international attention. Bajramović died on June 8, 2008 in Niš from a heart attack.
