Trkaj (real name Rok Terkaj, born March 1, 1983, in Ljubljana) is one of the most prominent and influential Slovenian rappers, activists, and writers. He grew up in the Savsko naselje neighborhood and began rapping at the age of seventeen. In 2003, together with fellow rapper N’toko, he won the Slovenian freestyle championship, which led to a contract with Nika Records and the beginning of his professional music career. His stage name “Trkaj” is a local nickname derived from his surname.
His debut album V času enga diha (2004) was a commercial success, followed by Rapostol (2007), Vse je OK (2013), and Dan zmage (2015). For Rapostol, he won the Diamant award in 2009 for Best Male Artist in Slovenia. His lyrics delve into themes of identity, social issues, personal growth, and psychological journeys—earning him recognition as one of the pioneers of introspective rap in Slovenia.
Trkaj is not just a musician but also a committed social figure. In 2011, he graduated with a degree in theology, and in 2004, he walked the 800-kilometer Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. He also gained acclaim for his “Cool Wine Tour” — a walking journey from Ljubljana to Sarajevo that earned him an award at the Slovenian Advertising Festival. He creates content for children as well: through his Repki project, he fuses rap with children’s poetry to promote literacy and a love of the Slovenian language.
Some of his best-known songs include Kok High (feat. Nipke), Ni več tko, Vsi smo na istem, Svet je moj, Dobro jutro, Ples’, and Nov avto—tracks that explore everyday struggles, community, and broader social realities. His approach to language is both playful and thoughtful; through hip-hop, he builds an identity that is at once local and universal.
