Stoja (born Stojanka Novaković on June 4, 1972, in Perlez near Zrenjanin, Serbia) is one of the most recognizable and influential singers of modern Balkan turbo-folk and pop-folk music. Since launching her career in 1997, she has been known for her distinctly deep and powerful voice, unrestrained stage presence, and enduring popularity across the region.
She released her debut album Kako je meni sada in 1998 under Lazarević Production. The following year, she skyrocketed to fame with the hit single Ćiki, ćiki, released through Grand Production, which firmly established her among the genre’s biggest stars. She went on to release a string of successful albums, including Samo (2000), Evropa (2002), Zakletva (2003), Starija (2004), Metak (2006), Do gole kože (2008), and Nije da nije (2013).
Her biggest hits include Ćiki, ćiki, Evropa, Starija, Metak, and Bela ciganka (2013), the latter amassing over 100 million views on YouTube and becoming one of the most-watched songs in the region. In recent years, she has successfully collaborated with a younger generation of artists – the single Samo jako (2017) with Relja Popović and Coby surpassed 70 million views, while Čista hemija (2018) stood out for its provocative visuals and modern sound.
Stoja is known for her high-energy concerts throughout the Balkans and diaspora communities, regularly performing at major festivals such as EXIT, Belgrade Beer Fest, and numerous regional events. Her music videos and stage performances often blend boldness, theatrical flair, and stylized controversy – helping her maintain relevance and strong media presence for more than two decades.
