Igor Cukrov
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Igor Cukrov (born 6 June 1984) is a Croatian singer-songwriter, musician and television personality. He came to media attention as one of sixteen contestants of talents show ''Operacija trijumf'', Balkan version of
Endemol Endemol B.V. (stylized in all lowercase) was a Dutch-based media company that produced and distributed multiplatform entertainment content. The company annually produced more than 15,000 hours of programming across scripted and non-scripted gen ...
's ''
Star Academy ''Star Academy'' is a Dutch-developed reality television talent show format that first aired in the Netherlands as '':nl:Starmaker (televisieprogramma), Star Maker''. Format There are many versions of the show, each country having its own sl ...
''. Cukrov represented
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
in the
Eurovision Song Contest 2009 The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Moscow, Russia, following the country's victory at the with the song "Believe (Dima Bilan song), Believe" by Dima Bilan. Organised by the Eu ...
, alongside
Andrea Šušnjara Andrea Šušnjara (born 26 February 1987) is a Croatian singer who was the Croatian entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. She, alongside Igor Cukrov, were the winners of Dora 2009, performing the song " Lijepa Tena" (''Beautiful Tena'' ...
, with the song " Lijepa Tena", written by
Tonči Huljić Tonči Huljić (; born 29 October 1961) is a Croatian musician, songwriter and music producer. He is best known as the founding member, songwriter and producer of one the most famous Croatian pop music, pop bands, Magazin. During his career span ...
. The song qualified to the final from the second semi-final as the jury's selected qualifier. It eventually finished in the 18th place with 45 points.


Career


Early career

Since early childhood, Cukrov showed interest for music, in 1991. He won the first prize in "Moj prvi nastup" led by Remi Kazinotti. In 1993, he won first prize for first voice of "Pojišan" school, than later third place in category of all schools of Split. In 1994, Cukrov participated in children's version on
Split Festival The Split Festival (officially ''Festival zabavne glazbe Split'' or ''Splitski Festival'') is a pop music festival held annually, in July, in Split, Croatia. It has been held since 1960. It is one of the premier Croatian music festivals. Since its ...
, singing the song "Mali vrabac". In 2003 he won the first prize for the first voice of
Šibenik-Knin County Šibenik-Knin County (; ) is a county in southern Croatia, located in the north-central part of Dalmatia. The biggest city in the county is Šibenik, which also serves as county seat. Other notable towns in the county are Knin, Vodice, Drniš a ...
. Cukrov performed at the Split Festival, where he was awarded a prize for best debutant (2007) and he has also gained experience as a
tenor A tenor is a type of male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. Composers typically write music for this voice in the range from the second B below m ...
of the
a cappella Music performed a cappella ( , , ; ), less commonly spelled acapella in English, is music performed by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Rena ...
Cambi singers.


''Operacija trijumf''

The ''Operacija trijumf'' was the Balkan version of
Endemol Endemol B.V. (stylized in all lowercase) was a Dutch-based media company that produced and distributed multiplatform entertainment content. The company annually produced more than 15,000 hours of programming across scripted and non-scripted gen ...
's talents show ''
Star Academy ''Star Academy'' is a Dutch-developed reality television talent show format that first aired in the Netherlands as '':nl:Starmaker (televisieprogramma), Star Maker''. Format There are many versions of the show, each country having its own sl ...
''. It included the young talents from whole former
SFR Yugoslavia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (commonly abbreviated as SFRY or SFR Yugoslavia), known from 1945 to 1963 as the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, commonly referred to as Socialist Yugoslavia or simply Yugoslavia, was a country ...
(except
Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
and
Kosovo Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with International recognition of Kosovo, partial diplomatic recognition. It is bordered by Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the ...
) –
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina, sometimes known as Bosnia-Herzegovina and informally as Bosnia, is a country in Southeast Europe. Situated on the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula, it borders Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to th ...
,
Croatia Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
,
Macedonia Macedonia (, , , ), most commonly refers to: * North Macedonia, a country in southeastern Europe, known until 2019 as the Republic of Macedonia * Macedonia (ancient kingdom), a kingdom in Greek antiquity * Macedonia (Greece), a former administr ...
,
Montenegro , image_flag = Flag of Montenegro.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Montenegro.svg , coa_size = 80 , national_motto = , national_anthem = () , image_map = Europe-Mont ...
and
Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...
. The show began on 29 September 2008. Cukrov showcased his singing abilities through a wide repertory, singing opera songs such as "
Con te partirò Con or CON may refer to: Places * Commonwealth of Nations, or CON, an association of primarily former British colonies * Concord Municipal Airport (IATA airport code CON), a public-use airport in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States * ...
" of
Andrea Bocelli Andrea Bocelli (; born 22 September 1958) is an Italian tenor. He rose to fame in 1994 after winning the newcomers' section of the 44th Sanremo Music Festival performing " Il mare calmo della sera". Since 1994, Bocelli has recorded 15 solo st ...
, but also rock songs such as "
Angie Angie may refer to: People * Angie (given name) * Ängie, a Swedish pop singer * Angie Vázquez, Mexican singer Arts and entertainment * ''Angie'' (Angela Bofill album), 1978 * ''Angie'' (Spill Tab album), 2025 * "Angie" (song), a 1973 single ...
" of
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
and "
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith as the theme song for the 1998 science fiction disaster film '' Armageddon'', in which lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv starred. It is one of four songs perfor ...
" of
Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of lead vocalist Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarists Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry and B ...
. The contestants of the ''Operacija trijumf'', including Cukrov, supported
Goran Karan Goran Karan (born 2 April 1964) is a Croatian singer-songwriter. He specializes in songs influenced by Dalmatian folk music and is known for his powerful and refined tenor voice. Karan's collaboration with composer Zdenko Runjić led to some of h ...
at his concert in
Belgrade Belgrade is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin, Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. T ...
, singing " Stand by Me". Igor Cukrov was expelled on the 13th gala event, losing in telephone voting to
Vukašin Brajić Vukašin Brajić ( sr-Cyrl, Вукашин Брајић; ; born 9 February 1984) is a Bosnian Serb pop-rock singer who rose to fame after participating in the first season (2008–09) of ''Operacija trijumf'', the Former Yugoslavia, ex-Yugoslav ...
.
B92 RTV B92, or simply B92 (stylized as b92, formerly BΞ92 and B 92), is a Serbian news station and broadcaster with national coverage headquartered in Belgrade. Founded in 1989 as radio station, it was a rare outlet for Western news and informati ...

OT Tonči Huljić: Nepravedno je što je Igor Cukrov ispao
During the show, there were some rumors that the judge
Tonči Huljić Tonči Huljić (; born 29 October 1961) is a Croatian musician, songwriter and music producer. He is best known as the founding member, songwriter and producer of one the most famous Croatian pop music, pop bands, Magazin. During his career span ...
is very protective about Cukrov, because he was never nominated, until the twelfth gala; Huljić later stated that expelling Cukrov was an injustice. During the ''Operacija trijumf'', Igor Cukrov performed the following songs: * Gibonni &
Oliver Dragojević Oliver Dragojević (; 7 December 1947 – 29 July 2018) was a Croatian singer and composer, who was considered one of the most enduring musical stars and cultural icons in Croatia with a discography that spanned nearly five decades. His style b ...
– "U ljubav vjere nemam" with the student
Nikola Paunović Nikola Paunović (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Пауновић; born 25 July 1985, in Kragujevac, Serbia) is a Serbian singer and television personality. He came to media attention as one of sixteen contestants on the B92's ''Operacija trijumf' ...
(Gala 1) *
Željko Joksimović Željko Joksimović ( sr-Cyrl, Жељко Јоксимовић, ; born 20 April 1972) is a Serbian vocalist, composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He plays 12 different musical instruments including accordion, piano, guitar a ...
– "Leđa o leđa" with Željko Joksimović (Gala 2) *
Dino Merlin Edin Dervišhalidović (born 12 September 1962), known professionally as Dino Merlin, is a Bosnian singer-songwriter and record producer. Born in Sarajevo, he founded and led the band Merlin (Yugoslav band), Merlin, one of the best-selling Rock b ...
& Željko Joksimović – "Supermen" with the student
Vukašin Brajić Vukašin Brajić ( sr-Cyrl, Вукашин Брајић; ; born 9 February 1984) is a Bosnian Serb pop-rock singer who rose to fame after participating in the first season (2008–09) of ''Operacija trijumf'', the Former Yugoslavia, ex-Yugoslav ...
(Gala 3) *Gibonni – " Libar" (Gala 4) *
Kemal Monteno Kemal Monteno (17 September 1948 – 21 January 2015) was a Bosnian recording artist and singer-songwriter whose career stretched from the 1960s to the 2010s. He is widely considered one of the greatest songwriters of the former Yugoslavia. Mon ...
– "Nije htjela" with Kemal Monteno (Gala 5) *
Andrea Bocelli Andrea Bocelli (; born 22 September 1958) is an Italian tenor. He rose to fame in 1994 after winning the newcomers' section of the 44th Sanremo Music Festival performing " Il mare calmo della sera". Since 1994, Bocelli has recorded 15 solo st ...
– "
Con te partirò Con or CON may refer to: Places * Commonwealth of Nations, or CON, an association of primarily former British colonies * Concord Municipal Airport (IATA airport code CON), a public-use airport in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States * ...
" (Gala 6) *
Oliver Mandić Oliver Mandić (Serbian Cyrillic: Оливер Мандић; born 13 July 1953) is a Serbian and former Yugoslav rock musician, composer, and producer. Early life Musically involved from a young age, Mandić first started playing the accordion be ...
– "Poludeću" (Gala 7) *
The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...
– " Yesterday" (Gala 8) *
Bijelo dugme () is a Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslav Rock music, rock band, formed in Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1974. is widely considered to have been the most popular and the best-selling band ever to exist in the former S ...
– "Ako ima Boga" (Gala 9) *
Indexi Indexi was a Bosnian and former Yugoslav rock band popular in Yugoslavia. It formed in 1962 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and disbanded in 2001 when singer Davorin Popović died. Some of their most notable songs are "Svijet u kome ži ...
– "Žute dunje" (Gala 10) *The Beatles – "
Help! ''Help!'' is the fifth studio album by the English Rock music, rock band the Beatles and the soundtrack to their Help! (film), film of the same name. It was released on 6 August 1965 by Parlophone. Seven of the fourteen songs, including the sin ...
"/" A Hard Day's Night" with all male students (Gala 11) *
Zdravko Čolić Zdravko Čolić (, ; born 30 May 1951) is a Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnian-Serbian Pop music, pop singer and widely considered one of the greatest vocalists and cultural icons of the former Yugoslavia. Favourably compared to Paul McCartney and T ...
– "Jedna zima s Kristinom" (Gala 11) *
Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion (born 30 March 1968) is a Canadian singer. Referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Power Ballads", Dion's powerful, technically skilled vocals and commercially successful works have had ...
– "
My Heart Will Go On "My Heart Will Go On" is a song performed by Canadian singer Celine Dion, used as the theme for the 1997 film '' Titanic''. It was composed by James Horner, with lyrics by Will Jennings, and produced by Horner, Walter Afanasieff and Simon F ...
" with the student
Nina Petković Nina Petković ( cnr-Cyrl, Нина Петковић; born 10 April 1981) is a Montenegrin singer, musician and television personality. She came to media prominence in regional ''Star Academy'' version, ''Operacija trijumf'', and came fourth. Ea ...
(Gala 11) *
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
– "
Angie Angie may refer to: People * Angie (given name) * Ängie, a Swedish pop singer * Angie Vázquez, Mexican singer Arts and entertainment * ''Angie'' (Angela Bofill album), 1978 * ''Angie'' (Spill Tab album), 2025 * "Angie" (song), a 1973 single ...
" (Gala 12) * Prljavo kazalište/
VIS Idoli Idoli ( sr-Cyrl, Идоли; trans. The Idols) were a Serbian new wave band from Belgrade. They are considered to be one of the most notable acts of the Yugoslav rock scene, and their 1982 album '' Odbrana i poslednji dani'' was on several occa ...
– "Mi plešemo"/"Maljčiki" with the students
Ana Bebić Ana Đolić (; born 7 May 1986) is a Croatian singer, who participated in television shows such as ''Hrvatski Idol'', '' Ne zaboravi stihove!'', and finally ''Operacija trijumf'', which was shown in five countries. Her debut single, " Preživje ...
and Vukašin Brajić (Gala 12) *
Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of lead vocalist Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarists Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry and B ...
– "
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith as the theme song for the 1998 science fiction disaster film '' Armageddon'', in which lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv starred. It is one of four songs perfor ...
" (Gala 13) * U2 – "
With or Without You "With or Without You" is a song by Irish rock music, rock band U2. It is the third track on their fifth studio album, ''The Joshua Tree'' (1987), and was released as the album's lead single on 16 March 1987. The song was the group's most succes ...
" (Gala 13) with the student Vukašin Brajić *Film – "Pjevajmo do zore" with the students Andrea Harapin, Ivana Nikodijević and Kristijan Jovanov (Semifinal, revival)


Eurovision Song Contest 2009

After the ''Operacija trijumf'', all the contestants expressed the will to participate at the
Eurovision Song Contest 2009 The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Moscow, Russia, following the country's victory at the with the song "Believe (Dima Bilan song), Believe" by Dima Bilan. Organised by the Eu ...
, which was held in Moscow. The Croatian ''OT'' contestants Cukrov and
Ana Bebić Ana Đolić (; born 7 May 1986) is a Croatian singer, who participated in television shows such as ''Hrvatski Idol'', '' Ne zaboravi stihove!'', and finally ''Operacija trijumf'', which was shown in five countries. Her debut single, " Preživje ...
immediately qualified for the final event. The song " Lijepa Tena" was written and composed by famous Croatian musician
Tonči Huljić Tonči Huljić (; born 29 October 1961) is a Croatian musician, songwriter and music producer. He is best known as the founding member, songwriter and producer of one the most famous Croatian pop music, pop bands, Magazin. During his career span ...
. The Croatian final for the Eurovision Song Contest – Dora – was held on 28 February 2008, and Igor Cukrov won with the total of 30 points. The song competed in the second semi-final where it won qualification for the final as the jury's selected pick. It finished in 18th place.


''Tvoje lice zvuči poznato''

On 24 February 2025, Cukrov was announced to compete on the ninth season of the singing reality television series '' Tvoje lice zvuči poznato'', the Croatian edition of ''
Your Face Sounds Familiar ''Your Face Sounds Familiar'' ( Spanish: ''Tu cara me suena'') is a Spanish interactive reality television franchise series where celebrity contestants impersonate singers. The format, similar to Dutch television series '' Soundmixshow'', was ...
''. In the season, he won the fourth episode performing as
Tony Cetinski Anthony Cetinski (born 31 May 1969) is a Croatian pop singer. Biography Born into a family of musicians in Pula (then SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia), Cetinski began singing when he was 15 years old with various local groups. He moved from Rovinj to ...
, and the sixth episode as
Oliver Dragojević Oliver Dragojević (; 7 December 1947 – 29 July 2018) was a Croatian singer and composer, who was considered one of the most enduring musical stars and cultural icons in Croatia with a discography that spanned nearly five decades. His style b ...
.


Discography


Albums

*2009: ''Upcoming compilation of Operacija trijumf contestants''


Singles

*2007: "Dusa mi je bili kamen" (Splitski festival 2007.) *2009: "Lijepa Tena" EUROSONG FINALS *2009: "Mjesečar" (Splitski festival) *2009: "Nebesa" (with agazin *2010: "Moja draga" jesma Mediterana, Budva, Montenegro* "Dalmaciju minjat se ne moze" Trogir fest 2012. * "Ajdemo jube" * "Caca moj" (Puno mi falis caca moj) 2011. * "Prolij vino po meni" (CMC festival Vodice) * "Korak po korak" (Ohridski festival, MAKEDONIA) THIRD PLACE * "Kraj mene si ti" (Igor Cukrov ft. Bojan Delic) * (Festival Suncane Skale, Herceg novi, Montenegro), Hit records * "Prida bi se mandolini" (Trogir festival, "Slavuji kamelenga Vinko Coce) FIRST PLACE * "Slucajno" - Igor Cukrov ft. Ana Duderija-Sucur (Hit records) * "Fali mi" (Hit records) * "Haljina na pruge" (Hit records) * "Treba li mi netko kao ti" (Hit records) 2010.(Splitski festival) * "Za one sto su kao mi" (CMC festival Vodice 2012.) * "Znaes li" (Skopje fest, MAKEDONIA, 2013.) * "Sanjaj Hrvatska" (Croatian music channel, CMC festival Vodice 2013.) * "Jedna dusa jedno tilo" 2014. (Hit records) * "Jedino ti znas me va dusu" MiK (
Melodije Istre i Kvarnera Melodije Istre i Kvarnera (in English: ''Melodies of Istria and Kvarner'') is a Croatian song contest, held annually in multiple towns in the Istria, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Lika-Senj counties. It consists of a competition amongst previously ...
) 2015. * "Volio sam cure" (Hit records) (CMC festival Vodice 2015.) * "E moj admirale" (Splitski festival 2015.) * "Daruj srecu novim ljudima" (Hit records) 2016. *2017: "Da te zagrlim" (Hit records) * "Svoj na svome" Igor Cukrov & Mile Perkov (Croatian music channel, CMC festival Vodice 2022.)


See also

*
Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest Croatia has been represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 30 times since making its debut at the . The Croatian participating broadcaster in the contest is (HRT), which has selected its entrant at the Dora festival since 1993, excluding from ...
* Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009


References


External links


www.igorcukrov.express-forum.net
Official fan-club and forum {{DEFAULTSORT:Cukrov, Igor 1984 births Living people People from Šibenik 21st-century Croatian male singers Croatian pop singers Croatian tenors Eurovision Song Contest entrants