Biography
Magnifico is a chansonnier, a cowboy,
a Balkan chameleon.
With his first albums Od srca do srca (1993), Gdo je čefur (1996) and Sexy Boy (1999), Magnifico established himself as an unorthodox, versatile composer and musician not only in Slovenia, but in the wider area of former Yugoslavia. His music transcends boundaries and offers a unique experience to the audience during live performances, which is why Magnifico's fans return to his concerts regularly and enthusiastically.
In 2002 his provocative style reached as far as the European Parliament: Magnifico was the author of Slovenian entry in that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Samo ljubezen (Only Love) was performed by a charming trio of Slovenian drag artists Sestre (Sisters), which sparked furious debate in Slovenian public and Parliament, also reaching the European level.
As a result he entrenched his iconic status in LGBTIQA+ community, already obtained with his hit song Halo, gospodična and its provocative chorus “Magnifico je peder” (“Magnifico is a faggot”). During his career, he often touched upon various marginalized social groups (immigrants, Roma, etc.) in a sympathetic, unobtrusive way, thus contributing to a more inclusive society in his own unique style.
Magnifico's music is deeply inspired by the ex-Yugoslav schlager music scene, spiced up with a unique blend of Latin, reggae, surf and Balkan elements. He created a unique and recognizable sound that easily captivates his audience.
In 2004 Sony Music entertainment released his fourth studio album titled ̋ Export/Import, featuring the smash hit Hir ai kam, Hir ai go and the eclectic Giv Mi Mani. The magnificently diverse Balkan-beat album got a lot of airtime on radio stations and in clubs throughout the world, which introduced Magnifico to a much wider audience. His music also appeared on a widely popular compilations Putumayo, BalkanBeats vol. 3 and Swing Style vol. 3.
In 2010 his fifth studio album Magnification was released by Piranha Musik. This time around he took a Balkan spaghetti-western turn. The first single Zum zum is a special blend of surf guitars with gypsy saxophone wizard Ferus Mustafov.
Although primarily a musician, Magnifico has also demonstrated his broad and diverse talent by acting in both leading and supporting film roles in the Slovenian feature films Stereotip (1997), Pornofilm (2000), Poker (2001) and Kajmak in marmelada (2003).
In his constant search for new creative challenges, he composed film scores for movie features Stereotip and Prepisan (2010), and he raised this type of musical engagement to a completely new level with soundtracks for movies Montevideo, bog te video (2010) and Montevideo, vidimo se (2014).
While respecting traditional methods of recording film music, he collaborated with the Artistic orchestra of Serbian Ministry of Defense Stanislav Binički in the soundtrack for the movie Montevideo, bog te video. For the later film version in 2014, he upgraded the project by collaborating with the exceptional Spanish singer Luz Casal.
The most outstanding track of Montevideo soundtrack is Magnifico's song Pukni zoro, which has outgrown even its author. In Serbia many still do not believe that the song, which is often sung immediately after the national anthem and regularly accompanies various celebrations, was written by a musician from Slovenian capital. It is sung by the crowd at football matches at the Marakana Stadium in Belgrade, it was the official song of the Serbian national football team at the 2018 World Cup, and it was also included in the list of the 60 most beautiful Serbian folk songs on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of RTS television.
The collaboration with Dragan Bjelogrlić, director of both Montevideo films, continued in 2018, when Magnifico created the music for the TV series Senke nad Balkanom (Shadows over the Balkans). This time as well, he provided a recognizable anthem with the song Divna.
Magnifico’s latest studio album Charlatan de Balkan was released internationally on September 2016, featuring a series of recognizable hits Kuku lele, Cici Mici, Ya Mustafa and the anthem to the key venue of his youth, Ljubljana’s Tivoli park.
In August 2024, Magnifico crowned the celebration of the 30th anniversary of his musical career with a truly exceptional concert in Stanežiče, where 23,000 people joined him in front of the largest stage ever set up for a single artist in Slovenia. He orchestrated a perfect experience for his fans, and with it the best proof that his musical journey is far from over.
On the contrary, Magnifico does not hide the fact that his love for music constantly drives him to new projects and challenges. With his team of musicians, he is currently finishing the new studio album Alpe Adria, which will be released soon, and with it he will embark on a tour at the end of this spring. Be sure not to miss the highlight of the tour, Magnifico's traditional Christmas concert in Stožice Arena in Ljubljana on December 25th, 2025.
As Magnifico himself likes to emphasize, one of the key elements of his success is the well-established, carefully coordinated and relaxed creative cooperation of his exceptional permanent team of musicians:
brother Aleksander Pešut – Schatz! on drums and in production,
Jan Gregorka on bass,
Luka Ipavec on trumpet,
Jan Jarni on guitar,
Matija Krečič on violin and
Matej Kužel on saxophone.
The close personal bond and the sparkling creative chemistry between them is the guarantee that Magnifico's musical opus will continue to surprise and delight us for years to come.