Milena Janković (Serbian Cyrillic: Милена Јанковић, born on 23 November 1992), better known as Mimi Mercedez (Serbian Cyrillic: Мими Мерцедез) is a Serbian rapper, singer and songwriter. She is recognized as one of the first and most prominent Serbian female rap artists.[1] Mercedez debuted in 2011 and has collectively released five studio albums.
She has predominately worked with beatmaker Žarko Krstić Žartikal. In addition to her own work, Janković has written lyrics for other singers, such as Nikolija, Milica Pavlović and Jelena Karleuša.
Life and career
Janković was born on 23 November 1992 in Belgrade, FR Yugoslavia and grew up in the neighborhood of Konjarnik. She stated that her interest in rap music comes from her late teenage years.[2] Janković graduated from the Third Belgrade Gymnasium.
In 2011, she released her first song, titled "Napucane svinjice". It was later included to her independently-released debut mixtape, Jedino što znam, in 2013. Mercedez was also featured on the track "Mala ima kasko" from the 2012 album "Apetiti mi rastu" by Serbian rapper Juice.[3] During her beginnings, Janković used to work as a stripper to support her music career.[4]
In February 2015, Mimi Mercedez released her EPNapaljene uličarke under Bombe Devedesetih. In August, it was followed by her first album, Našminkam se i pravim haos. The album included "Kleoptara", which became her first mainstream successful song.[5] Same year, she also collaborated with singers Milan Stanković and Mile Kitić on the single "Gadure".[6] The following August, Mercedez had another mainstream popular song with singer Kaya, titled "Ne možeš da sediš sa nama".[7] In 2018, she released two album: Stara Mimi and Kuma. The following year in February, Mercedez had two duets with singer Stoja: "Svet se vrti oko nas" and "Žena sa Balkana". In October 2019, she released Mržnja, which was preceded by the title track and single "Kučke".[8]
In July 2022, she performed for the first time at the EXIT music festival in Novi Sad.[9] In October, during her concert at Tvornica Kulture in Zagreb, Mercedez announced her forthcoming fifth studio album.[10] On December 31, she and other artists also had a live show at the closing ceremony of the Novi Sad's year as the European Capital of Culture.[11] On 26 January 2023, Mercedez alongside Voyage presented the Music Awards Ceremony, held at the Štark Arena, during which she also performed "Kleopatra".[12] Her fifth album, Frka u svemiru, was released on 17 February 2023. It was preceded by the singles "Dajive komi" featuring Seksi, "Ratatata" featuring Marlon Brutal, "Tik Tok" featuring Mili in 2022, and "Simp" in 2023.[13][14] In February the following year, Mercedez collaborated with Croatian rapper Grše on the single "Tokyo Drift", which peaked at number two on the Billboard'sCroatia Songs chart.[15]
Artistry
Janković previously had stated that her stage name comes form when she was hit by a Mercedes-Benz car as a child, but afterwards confessed that it was a joke.[16]
Besides Mimi Mercedez, she has assumed several other alter egos throughout her career, including Guda iz Huda, Sestra Drugarica and Kabasti Koblenc, which she initially incorporated in order to "increase" the presence of women in Serbian hip hop.[5] She has been known for referencing the 1990s in Serbia in her songs. Through the use of metaphors, punch lines, and word play, her lyrics often explore sociopolitical themes, such as social stratification and sex-positivity. According to art theorist Milica Ivić of Politika, Mercedez "decisively" challenges gender roles and inequality in her music, but does not embrace a "feminist identity".[17]
On the International Women's Day 2023, Ana Šumanović from Muzika.hr enlisted Mercedez among the regional female artist who "have left their trace on music".[18] Her single "Dajivé Komì" was among the finalists nominated for the 2023 Milan Mladenović Award.[19]
