How far would a party boy from Skopje go to win over a girl who believes more in Yugoslav rock ’n’ roll than modern flirting tactics? In Young Dadi’s case — just about any distance. That includes a complete makeover: a wig, a leather jacket, rings and an attempt to master an old Lada. Joining him on this musical adventure is Sead “Zele” Lipovača — the legendary guitarist of Divlje Jagode.

The result is “EX YU”, his latest track, created in collaboration with Andrejnik. The song comes with a music video in which nostalgia, humour and rock ’n’ roll share the same car. Literally.

At the centre of the story is Kiki, played by Katarina Ivanovska — a smart, confident young woman with a particular fascination for Yugoslavia and the culture of an era that, as it turns out, still has something to offer. On the other side is Young Dadi — an iconic figure in Skopje’s nightlife who quickly realises that his usual charm simply will not be enough. To win Kiki over, he must abandon his own style and transform into a classic Yugoslav rocker, aspiring to look like the legendary Zele Lipovača.

Sead “Zele” Lipovača himself features on the track, performing the guitar solo and appearing in the music video. Meanwhile, Dadi faces the challenges of his new rocker persona — from struggling just to open the old Lada to pushing it through the streets of Skopje, a task that eventually forces Kiki to step in and take matters into her own hands.

The clash between Young Dadi’s contemporary style and the retro Yugoslav aesthetic is reflected in the video’s visual approach. The old Lada, the architecture and Skopje’s iconic cityscapes serve as more than a backdrop; they are integral to the story of a different side of Skopje. With a touch of humour and plenty of rock ’n’ roll, “EX YU” reminds us that certain musical eras never go out of style — even when the cars from those days refuse to start.

Young Dadi is currently one of the most successful artists on the Macedonian scene. His song “LIDIJA”, released earlier this year, quickly amassed millions of views on YouTube. On December 30, he is set to headline a concert at T-Arena in Skopje.

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