Early years
Proeski, was born in Prilep, Macedonia, to Dominika and Nikola Proeski from Kruševo, his hometown, where he spent most of his childhood. After his musical talent was discovered, at the age of 12 he was chosen to perform at the popular children's song festival "Zlatno Slavejče" in Skopje. This was his first public music performance; however, his successful career began in 1996 when he participated in the teenage music festival "Makfest" in Stip.
Following this public exposure, he was awarded for his strong vocal capabilities. This led to his rise to fame when he participated in the music festival Makfest in Štip with the song "Pusti me"("Let me go") in 1997. His fanbase quickly grew and he continued to make use of festivals, such as SkopjeFest and OhridFest, as a platform for promotion and publicity. Proeski collaborated with one of Macedonia’s acclaimed lyricists and composers, Grigor Koprov, to produce some of the greatest hits of his career such as "Usni na Usni" ("Lips on Lips") and "Sonce vo Tvoite Rusi Kosi" ("The Sun in Your Golden Hair"). In 1999, he released his debut album, Nekade vo Nokta ("Somewhere in the Night"), which contained eleven tracks. In the summer of the same year, Proeski performed his first solo concert in Skopje.
In 2000, Proeski participated in the Eurovision pre-selection for Macedonia in SkopjeFest. He sang "Solzi Pravat Zlaten Prsten" ("Tears make a golden ring"), which won the televoting from the public but he finished third overall, behind Karolina Gočeva and the winners XXL. During that period, he began recording the tracks for his second album, Sinot Božji ("The Son of God"), which was promoted by the end of June 2000. The album brought some great hits, like "Nemir" ("Restless") (a duet with Karolina Gočeva), "Vo Kosi da ti Spijam" ("Sleeping in Your Hair"), "Izlaži me Ušte Ednaš" ("Lie to Me One More Time"), as well as "Iluzija" ("Illusion") (Grand Prix at the festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk ) and "Tajno Moja" ("Secret of mine"). Two songs are composed by Kire Kostov (winning second prize at the festival Sunčane Skale, held in Herceg Novi, now Montenegro).
The Serbian production house BK Sound purchased the rights to release Proeski's latest album in the other former Yugoslavian republics, which led to his victory of the Oscar of Popularity in those former republics for the year of 2000, and his sell-out shows in Skopje and Belgrade. Proeski embarked on an Australian tour along with other Macedonian singers in 2001.
After spending his time in recording studios in Athens, Greece, Proeski released his third album "Ako me pogledneš vo oči" ("If You Look Into My Eyes") in Macedonian and Serbian. After the release, Proeski went on a tour throughout Macedonia doing intense promotion. He also went to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria for further promotion. Proeski won "Beovizija" in Belgrade on April 2003, with "Čija si" ("To whom do you belong?"), a song which became a huge hit in Macedonia and the other former republics.
Superstardom
To improve his singing, Proeski took classes in New York from maestro William Riley, who was also coach to famous maestro Luciano Pavarotti. When he returned, Proeski held humanitarian concerts throughout the Republic of Macedonia. He was awarded with the Mother Theresa Humanitarian Award and in 2003 he became a Regional UNICEF Ambassador.
In 2004, MKTV chose Proeski to represent Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey, and in February, he performed eight songs, where a jury, televote, and his own opinion chose the song. The song "Angel Si Ti” ("You’re an Angel”) was chosen by all three. In April, Proeski released his album "Den Za Nas" ("A Day For Us"), which was two CDs featuring the eight songs from the Eurovision selection. In May, Proeski finished 14th with the song "Life", which was the English version of "Angel Si Ti”. Prior to the contest he was popularised by reporters due to his tremendous opera singing ability, at his press conferences.
In 2004 Proeski was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and recorded the song "This World" which became the UNICEF anthem. Proeski signed a contract with Dallas Records so his next album could be released in Croatia and Slovenia. To establish himself in these countries, Proeski recorded "Krajnje Vreme” with Slovenian singer, Anja Rupel. In 2005, Toše’s fifth album Po Tebe ("After You”) was released all over ex-Yugoslavia. Po Tebe, was one of the most successful Balkan albums ever. It topped music charts for months in the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Božilak (Rainbow), was a compilation of 14 selected traditional Macedonian songs. The artist was backed up by a symphony orchestra on the album.
His latest album 'Igri bez granici' (Macedonian title)/'Igra bez granica' (Croatian title) ("Game without borders") was released all over ex-Yugoslavia in August 2007.
Apart from songs in Macedonian and the Croatian language, he also recorded one song in Slovenian, "Moja" (Mine) (2007)and one in the Italian language, "Aria" ("air"), with Italian superstar Gianna Nannini. List of artist who collaborated with Proeski include Anja Rupel, Antonija Šola, Bora Čorba, Karolina Gočeva, Esma Redžepova, Gianna Nannini, Goca Tržan, Grigor Koprov, Jeff Beck, Tony Cetinski, Željko Joksimović and other notable musicians. Prior to his death, he was a student in his final year in the solo singing department of the Skopje Music Academy.
Songwriting
Proeski also established himself as a songwriter. He wrote several hits for himself including "Ima Li Den Za Nas" (Is There A Day For Us), "Slusaš Li" (Can You Hear), "Malečka" (Little One) and "Polsko Cvekje" (Field Flower). In 2004, Proeski composed "Muza" (Muse) which was a huge hit for Martin Vučić (Macedonian Eurovision Song Contest Representative, 2005), and went on the become the title track for the young artist's second album. In interviews, Proeski stated that he has written over 100 songs but was waiting for the right moments to record them as they were still in demo form.
On October 15, Proeski gave his final interview to the Macedonian Television Station Kanal 5. He talked about his intention to finish his Musical Academy studies, his search for his soul mate, and his new album in the works.
Tose's last concert was held October 5, 2007 for the Primary Education Project for USAID. The concert raised tens of thousands of euros for the primary schools of Macedonia. The concert was attended by over 20,000 people and viewed all over the world.
Death
During the early morning of 16 October 2007, around 6:30 am, Proeski died in a car accident on the Zagreb–Lipovac highway near Nova Gradiška, Croatia. He was a passenger along with his manager Ljiljana Petrović in a Volkswagen Touareg driven by Gjorgji Gjorgjievski. The Touareg crashed into the back of a truck and then into the median barrier, killing Proeski instantly, crushing the third vertebrae of the neck, although the truck sustained no damage. Proeski was asleep in the front passenger seat at the time of the crash.[6] Of the other two passengers, only the driver suffered serious injuries (head trauma).
Proeski's body arrived at midnight in Skopje by helicopter of the Macedonian army, and was transported by car to his home town Kruševo. Grieving citizens gathered to pay their last respects at the airport and also in Skopje's city square. The Embassy of the United States of America, the USAID and the Diplomatic mission of the European Union published official statements on the death of Toše Proeski. October 17 was pronounced a national day of mourning in Macedonia. The three days following his death were pronounced days of mourning in the City of Kruševo.
After his death, the government of the Republic of Macedonia, gave him the title "Honorable citizen of Macedonia"
State funeral
The government organized an official state funeral[11] for Proeski, which was held 17 October 2007 in his home town of Kruševo, including military honour ceremonies by the Macedonian army and the National guard, such as a honor guard, a military orchestra and a honorary rifle salute. The funeral, which was broadcasted by the national Macedonian TV was attended by many domestic and foreign delegations, including the president Branko Crvenkovski, the prime minister Nikola Gruevski, members of the Macedonian Parliament and its president Ljubiša Georgievski and other high-ranking officials, the US and the EU ambassadors Gillian Milovanovic and Erwan Fouéré and other diplomats, representatives of the Red Cross, the USAID and other organizations, sport clubs etc. Also, the funeral was attended by many notable musicians from Republic of Macedonia and other countries, including: Karolina Gočeva, Kaliopi, Vlado Janevski, Lambe Alabakoski, Elena Risteska, Jovan Jovanov, Martin Vučić, Adrian Gaxha, Tijana Dapčević and her sister Tamara Todevska, Aki Rahimovski (the frontman of Parni valjak), Toni Cetinski, Ceca Ražnatović, Željko Joksimović and many others. The religious service was held by the Macedonian Orthodox Church led by the Archbishop Stephen of Ohrid, as Proeski was a declared Orthodox Christian.
Numerous websites, blogs and internet forums are filled with the last messages from his fans and friends (example). A petition is available on-line[13] for Toše Proeski to be remembered by naming educational facilities, like the local Center for Music Education in Bitola, where he had studied to carry his name. Also this petition is to promote an annual humanitarian concert, carrying his name "Tose Proeski" for the poor and disabled and those of desperate need of medical attention. Also, a page for condolences can be found at the Kruševo municipality official website.
Son Egzoticen
Toše Proeski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Son, cuden son
Zolto oboen
Vo nekoja zemja dalecna
Miris opoen
Pesok, tragovi
Mi sepotat vetrovi
Za da doznaam
Kade si....
[Ref.]
Kako dzvezden prav ti negde iscezna
Te molev nemoj da me ostavas sam
Od sonot da se razbudam
Ne ne, ne ne...
Istok
Soncev zrak i son egzoticen
So nego pak se rodi noviot den
No bez tebe
Sam bez tebe osamen
Son, cuden son
Zolto oboen
Vo nekoja zemja dalecna
Miris opoen
Prosti mi
Mi rece ti
Vidov sjaj
Vo oci kosi...
[Kako dzvezden prav ti negde iscezna]
[Te molev nemoj da me ostavas sam]
[Od sonot da se razbudam]
[Ne ne, ne ne]
[Ref.]
I pak
Kako dzvezden prav ti negde iscezna
Te molev nemoj da me ostavas sam
Od sonot da se razbudam
Ne ne, ne neeee...
Istok
Soncev zrak i son egzoticen
So nego pak se rodi noviot den
No bez tebe
Sam bez tebe osamen
The lyrics of "Son Egzoticen" by Toše Proeski convey a sense of longing, mystery, and emotional depth. The singer speaks of a dream, a strange dream colored in gold, taking place in a distant land with an intoxicating scent. The dream seems to be filled with whispers of winds and traces of sand, as the singer follows these signs to uncover the whereabouts of someone important to them. The dreamlike quality of the imagery suggests a surreal, otherworldly experience, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the disappearance of this person, described as vanishing like a star, leaving the singer pleading for them not to leave them alone. There is a deep desire to awaken from this dream, to find clarity and understanding, but the absence of this person leaves the singer feeling isolated and disconnected. The reference to the East, the sun's rays, and the exotic nature of the dream symbolize a journey towards enlightenment and rebirth, but this journey feels incomplete without the presence of the person being sought after.
The second verse of the song introduces forgiveness, with the person in the dream asking the singer to forgive them. This moment of reconciliation is marked by a glimpse of light in the person's eyes, hinting at a deeper emotional connection between them. Despite this moment of forgiveness, the sense of loss and longing persists, as the singer realizes they are now alone without the one they seek. The repetition of the plea not to be left alone underscores the profound sense of emptiness and yearning that pervades the lyrics.
As the song reaches its climax, the singer continues to lament the disappearance of this person, imploring them not to abandon them. The dream imagery of stars and the sun's rays is woven throughout, highlighting the transcendental quality of this relationship and the transformative power of their connection. The final lines express a sense of solitude and desolation without the presence of the missing person, creating a poignant and emotionally charged conclusion to a song that delves deep into themes of love, loss, and the search for connection in a dreamlike landscape.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bucho448
Maestro nas voljeni...
@PG-mu3hq
Dobro utro moi mili luge sto go slusate nasiot Tose so nasmevka na liceto i uzivate
@sofy588
Andjele moj. Ne razumijem svaku riječ,ali uzivam..zelio si da se ponose tobom..ponosi se cijeli Balkan i sire,a pogotovo tvoja Makedonija. I moja djeca te slusaju skupa samnom..veliki pozdrav i puse iz Hrvatske ❤️❤️ ❤️
@mrsavipas7704
Ako ne razumijes ima pjesma i na nasem jeziku.
@PG-mu3hq
Najgolemi pozdravi od Makedonija
@radatrifunovic2547
Предивно Тошке🎶💖🌞🍒😇💞
@ivanamolnar5093
SVIĐAMI SE