Devito (rapper)

{{pp-pc|small=yes}} {{Short description|Serbian rapper (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Devito | native_name = Девито | native_name_lang= sr | birth_name = David Ljubenović | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1995|5|9}} | birth_place = Kragujevac, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia | origin = | genre = {{hlist|Trap|Serbian hip hop}} | occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|music video director|photographer|singer|songwriter}} | instruments = Vocals | years_active = 2018–present | label = {{hlist|IDJTunes|Bassivity Digital}} }} '''David Ljubenović''' ({{Lang-sr-cyr|Давид Љубеновић}}; born 9 May 1995), professionally known as '''Devito''' ({{Lang-sr-cyr|Девито|links=no}}), is a Serbian rapper. Originally working as a photographer and music video director, he made his official recording debut in 2018. Devito is well-known for wearing a white three-hole balaclava in public to hide his true identity.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraf.rs/jetset/vesti-jetset/3208964-devito-bez-fantomke-david-ljubenovic |title=Enigma zvana Devito: Ko je momak koji se krije iza fantomke i kako je izgledao na sajtu za druženje|website=Telegraf.rs |date=2 July 2020 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> He has released two studio albums - ''Plava krv'' (2023) and ''Nema spavanja'' (2025).

==Life and career== ===Early life and career beginnings=== David Ljubenović was born in Kragujevac, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 9 May 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Ljubenović (Devito)|url=https://www.biografija.org/muzika/david-ljubenovic-devito/|website=biografija.org|date=30 December 2021|access-date=19 October 2025|language=hr}}</ref> He started making music in primary school.<ref name="IDJ interview">{{cite web |url=https://idjtv.nova.rs/news/showbizz/6190d3314502437589787e46/nisam-prepotentan-stidljiv-sam-devito-otkrio-kakav-je-privatno-video |title=Nisam prepotentan, stidljiv sam": Devito otkrio kakav je privatno |publisher=Nova TV|date=14 November 2021 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> After turning 18, Ljubenović became a professional photographer. Subsequently, after moving to Belgrade, he started directing music videos under production company DaVideo and has since worked for regional artists such as Aca Lukas, Milica Pavlović, {{ill|MC Stojan|sr}}, Ana Kokić, Sandra Afrika, and {{ill|Vuk Mob|sr}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infokg.rs/kragujevcani/david-ljubenovic.html |title=David Ljubenović: Od klinačke priče do spotova sa milionskim pregledima |website=InfoKG|date=23 July 2017 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref><ref name=":1"/>

===Recording career=== In March 2018, Ljubenović released his debut single under the stage name Devito, titled "Alal vera", featuring Leon.<ref name="IDJ interview"/> In June the following year, his first major label single, "Barbie", was released under Bassivity Digital and IDJTunes. With the release of "Uh" in June 2019, he gained more significant popularity and media attention, as the music video for the song has collected over 30 million views on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uOoV0mtX3E |title=Devito {{!}} Uh|website=YouTube |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=24 March 2023}}{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2025}}</ref> In February 2020, Devito released "Koka" for the soundtrack of the Serbian television series ''South Wind''. Subsequently, in June, he collaborated with Teodora Džehverović on "Vudu".<ref name=":1"/> The single has amassed over 12 million streams on Spotify and over 100 million views on YouTube, making it the commercially the biggest release by a Serbian artist of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://idjtv.nova.rs/news/showbizz/62bc2781f3a8890528c476c1/vudu-dostigao-100-miliona-pregleda-teodora-i-devito-najavljuju-jos-jedan-duet-foto |title="Vudu" dostigao 100 miliona pregleda! Da li Teodora i Devito spremaju još jedan duet?|publisher=Nova TV|date=29 June 2022 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref>

Devito released "Mame mi" in March 2021 for the purposes of the film sequel to ''South Wind'', called ''South Wind 2: Ubrzanje''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://idjtv.nova.rs/news/showbizz/6059fa1f00b80930ed347f6a/devito-odusevio-sve-novom-pesmom-za-drugi-deo-filma-juzni-vetar-video |title=Devito oduševio sve novom pesmom za drugi deo filma "Južni vetar"|publisher=Nova TV|date=23 March 2021 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> In September 2021, Devito held his first solo concert during the Belgrade Music Week festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/music-week-senidah-angelina-devito-treperi/ |title=Ušće večeras gori: Treperi napravili šou na otvaranju Music Week-a|website=Nova S|date=3 September 2021 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> In October 2021, he was chosen by Tuborg Open to be featured on the remix of "Get Together" by David Guetta.<ref name="Tuborg Open">{{cite web |url=https://noizz.rs/intervju/intervju-sa-reperom-devitom/fgvce84 |title=Reper Devito za Noizz o saradnji sa Dejvid Getom i o svojoj karijeri|website=Noizz|date=21 October 2021 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> It was followed by his debut EP, titled ''Leden'', which was released on 12 November under IDJTunes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/devito-objavio-prvi-deo-albuma-leden/ |title=Devito objavio prvi deo albuma "Leden"|website=Nova S|date=12 November 2021 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> In December, IDJ TV enlisted Devito as the most streamed Serbian artist on Spotify of 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://idjtv.nova.rs/news/muzika/61a8a473fd8ce72fa5bdca41/ovi-izvodjaci-su-medju-najslusanijima-na-platformi-spotify-u-2021-godini |title=Ovi naši izvođači su među najslušanijima na platformi Spotify u 2021. godini |date=2 December 2021 |access-date=26 March 2023|website=IDJ TV|language=sr}}</ref>

His debut album, ''Plava krv'', was released on 23 May 2023 under IDJTunes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/masku-ne-bih-skinuo-ni-za-kakav-novac-devito-na-promociji-svog-prvog-albuma-govorio-o-privatnosti-verenici-ali-i-tragedijama-koje-su-nedavno-zadesile-srbiju/ |title="Masku ne bih skinuo ni za kakav novac": Devito na promociji svog prvog albuma govorio o privatnosti, verenici, ali i tragedijama koje su nedavno zadesile Srbiju|publisher=Nova.rs|date=23 May 2023 |access-date=24 May 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> It charted second in Austria, fifth in Switzerland, and seventh on the Spotify Top Albums Debut Global chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://idjtv.nova.rs/news/showbizz/64770ad7a1e03043832485e8/obara-rekorde-devitov-album-plava-krv-na-listi-najslusanijih-albuma-na-svetu-foto |title=Obara sve rekorde: Devitov album "Plava krv" 7. na listi najslušanijih albuma na svetu!|website=IDJ TV |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=1 June 2023 |language=Sr}}</ref> With over 200 million listenings across all platforms in three months, ''Plava krv'' was declared the commercially most successful album by a Serbian singer in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/ovo-je-najslusaniji-album-na-nasim-prostorima-devito-projektom-plava-krv-zabelezio-nezapamcen-uspeh/ |title=Ovo je najslušaniji album na našim prostorima: Devito projektom "Plava krv" zabeležio nezapamćen uspeh|website=Nova S|date=15 August 2023 |access-date=15 August 2023|language=sr}}</ref> On 11 June 2025, Devito released his second album, ''Nema spavanja''. The album received praise for its "focused, cohesive, and refreshing" approach to trap and club music with synthpop-influenced sound and more intimate and personal song writing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jovanović |first=Aleksa |date=19 December 2025 |title=The best regional albums of 2025, curated by Aleksa Simić |url=https://vogueadria.com/the-best-regional-albums/ |access-date=10 January 2026 |work=Vogue Adria |language=en}}</ref> ''Nema spavanja'' spawned hit songs like "Ego", "Amsterdam" and "35°C". In November, he collaborated with rock band Bajaga i Instruktori on the single "Astronaut".<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2025 |title=Bajaga za Telegraf o saradnji sa Devitom, otkrio kako je nastao njihov duet: "Sve smo završili za dan" |url=https://www.telegraf.rs/jetset/vesti-jetset/4237606-bajaga-za-telegraf-o-saradnji-sa-devitom-otkrio-kako-je-nastao-njihov-duet-sve-smo-zavrsili-za-dan |access-date=10 January 2026 |work=Telegraf.rs |language=en}}</ref>

==Public image== Devito is known recognized for wearing a white balaclava in his public appearances.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blic.rs/zabava/ovako-izgleda-devito-bez-maske/j391bf6 |title=Kolega ga je prozvao za gej aferu, u javnosti krije lice, a evo kako Devito izleda bez maske!|newspaper=Blic|date=25 January 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> In the 2021 interview with ''Noizz'', he stated that the reason behind it is so that his audience can connect better with his lyrics and music, further explaining: "Regardless of who and what you are, you can live your dreams, if you are ready to fight for them of course".<ref name="Tuborg Open"/> At the beginning of 2023, Devito showed his open public support for the LGBT community in Serbia after he had been accused by rapper Mili of being a closeted gay man.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/nakon-sto-je-kolega-pokusao-da-ga-uvredi-time-da-je-gej-devito-poslao-snaznu-poruku-podrske-lgbt-populaciji/ |title=Nakon što je kolega pokušao da ga uvredi time da je gej, Devito poslao snažnu poruku podrške LGBT populaciji|website=Nova S|date=24 January 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://zoomer.rs/osam-razloga-zasto-je-devito-najbolji-lgbtq-saveznik/ |title=Osam razloga zašto je Devito najbolji LGBTQ+ saveznik|website=Zoomer.rs|date=25 January 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref>

On 5 October 2023, it was reported he got married.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraf.rs/jetset/vesti-jetset/3761181-ozenio-se-devito |title=Oženio se Devito|website=Telegraf|date=5 October 2023 |access-date=6 October 2023 |language=sr}}</ref>

== Discography == === Studio albums === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! colspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Peak chart positions |- ! style="width:2.5em; font-size:85%" | AUT <ref>{{cite web |title=Devito {{En dash}} Plava krv |url=https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Devito&titel=Plava+krv&cat=a |website=Austrian Charts |access-date=21 June 2025 |language=de}}</ref> ! style="width:2.5em; font-size:85%" | SUI <ref> *For ''Plava krv'': {{cite web |title=Devito {{En dash}} Plava krv |url=https://hitparade.ch/album/Devito/Plava-krv-519419 |website=Schweizer Hitparade |access-date=6 June 2023 |language=de}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Plava krv'' | align="left"| *Released: 23 May 2023 *Label: IDJTunes *Format: CD, digital download, streaming | 2 || 5 |- ! scope="row"| ''Nema spavanja'' | align="left"| *Released: 11 June 2025 *Label: DA Production *Format: CD, digital download, streaming | 49 || — |}

=== Singles === {{Update|date=June 2025|part=section}} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| AUT <ref name="AUT">Peak chart positions in Austria: * {{cite web |title=Discographie Voyage & Devito |url=https://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Voyage+%26+Devito |website=Austrian Charts |access-date=15 August 2023 |language=de}}</ref> ! style="width:2.5em; font-size:85%" | CRO ''Billb.'' <ref> *For "Omađijala": {{Cite magazine|date=25 October 2022 |title=Croatia Songs (Week of October 29, 2022) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2022-10-29 |access-date=24 March 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} * For "Shake It": {{Cite magazine|date=27 December 2022 |title=Croatia Songs (Week of December 31, 2022) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2022-12-31 |access-date=24 March 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} *For "Karamela": {{Cite magazine|date=25 October 2022 |title=Croatia Songs (Week of January 21, 2023) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2023-01-21/ |access-date=24 March 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} *For "Mafia": {{Cite magazine|date=27 June 2023 |title=Croatia Songs (Week of July 2, 2023) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2023-07-02 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=15 May 2024}} *For "Nenormalan lik": {{Cite magazine|date=26 March 2024 |title=Croatia Songs (Week of March 30, 2024) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2024-03-30 |access-date=15 May 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | "Barbie" | rowspan="5" |2019 | — || — |- ! scope="row" | "Lila" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Uh" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Aligatori" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Oduzet" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Magičan cvet" | rowspan="7" | 2020 |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Bebe" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Koka" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Taj flex" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Vudu" {{small|(with Teodora)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Austria" {{small|(with Mike Ride)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Offline" {{small|(with Relja)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Nina" | rowspan="9" | 2021 |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Durg Like This" {{small|(with The Eurotrip!)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Mame mi" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Ju" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Telo" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Mami" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Rame" {{small|(with Mike Ride)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Drip drip" {{small|(with Corona)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Roze" {{small|(with Jala Brat and Buba Corelli)}} | 60 || — |- ! scope="row" | "Verna" | rowspan="8" | 2022 |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Do zore" {{small|(with Relja)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Omađijala" {{small|(with Relja)}} | — || 2 |- ! scope="row" | "Marina" |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Ljubav" {{small|(with Nikolija)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Niko neće" {{small|(with JMTradee)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "25 milja" {{small|(with Igor Buzov)}} |— || — |- ! scope="row" | "Shake It" {{small|(with Jala Brat)}} | — || 5 |- ! scope="row" | "Karamela" {{small|(with Jala Brat and Buba Corelli)}} | rowspan="5"| 2023 | 23 || 2 |- ! scope="row" | "Mili mili" |— || — |- ! scope="row"| "Mafia" {{small|(with Voyage)}} | 66 || 6 |- ! scope="row"| "Ola ola" {{small|(with Relja)}} | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Nepogrešivo" {{small|(with Jelena Karleuša featuring DJ Hamida)}} | — || — |- ! scope="row"| "Nenormalan lik" {{small|(with Nikolija)}} | 2024 | — || 3 |}

===Other charted songs=== {{Update|date=June 2025|part=section}} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Year ! colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col | Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| AUT <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Devito&titel=Plava+krv&cat=a|title=Discographie Devito|access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref> ! style="width:2.5em; font-size:85%" | CRO ''Billb.'' <ref> *For "Tu Tu Tu", "Garava", "Vajbuje", "Rolex", "Htjela je da zna", "Koji kralj", "Vodi me", "Nina 2.0", "Koketa" and "Mazna":{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2023-06-10/|title=Croatia Songs (Week of June 10, 2023)|access-date=13 June 2024|magazine=Billboard}} *For "Svemir":{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/croatia-songs-hotw/2023-06-24/|title=Croatia Songs (Week of June 24, 2023)|access-date=13 June 2024|magazine=Billboard}} </ref> |- ! scope="row"|"Tu Tu Tu" {{small|(with Breskvica)}} | rowspan="11"| 2023 |21 ||1 |rowspan="11"|Plava krv |- ! scope="row"|"Garava" {{small|(with Voyage)}} |72 ||3 |- ! scope="row"|"Vajbuje" {{small|(with Jala Brat and Buba Corelli)}} |— ||5 |- ! scope="row"|"Rolex" {{small|(with Crni Cerak)}} |— ||6 |- ! scope="row"|"Svemir" {{small|(with Inas)}} |— ||5 |- ! scope="row"|"Htjela je da zna" {{small|(with Relja)}} |— ||8 |- ! scope="row"|"Koji kralj" {{small|(with Coby)}} |— ||20 |- ! scope="row"|"Vodi me" {{small|(with Teodora)}} |— ||25 |- ! scope="row"|"Nina 2.0" |— ||12 |- ! scope="row"|"Koketa" |— ||14 |- ! scope="row"|"Mazna" |— ||19 |}

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |+List of awards and nominations of Devito ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominee/work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | rowspan="4"| 2023 | rowspan="4"| Music Awards Ceremony | Male Trap Song of the Year | "Marina" | {{Won}} | rowspan="4"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://nova.rs/zabava/showbiz/zvezde-novog-muzickog-talasa-izdominirale-drugog-dana-mac-a/ |title=Zvezde novog muzičkog talasa izdominirale drugog dana MAC-a!|website=Nova S|date=27 January 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=sr}}</ref> |- | Drill Song of the Year | "Leden" |{{nominated}} |- | New Age Collaboration of the Year | "Omađijala" (feat. Relja) | {{Nominated}} |- | Contribution to Regional Music | Himself |{{Won}} |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb name|10045181}} * {{Discogs artist|7859067}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Devito}}

Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Kragujevac Category:21st-century Serbian male singers Category:Serbian male rappers Category:Serbian music video directors Category:Masked musicians Category:21st-century rappers