The tragic story of 'Kuća pos'o' singer Ekrem Jevrić: 'He got into the car and died there'

Ekrem Jevrić, the singer behind the viral hit 'Kuća pos'o' (House Job), died suddenly of a heart attack on March 4, 2016, in New York. Jevrić, who was born in Montenegro, spent decades performing strenuous physical labor in New York to support his wife, Igbala, and their four sons. His life took an unexpected turn in 2010 when his song, an authentic portrayal of the immigrant experience, became a global phenomenon.

The song resonated across the former Yugoslavia and garnered international media attention, with foreign press dubbing him the 'Balkan Borat.' His simple demeanor earned him the nickname 'Gospoda.' Overnight, Jevrić transitioned from anonymity to stardom. This newfound fame led to opportunities such as a modeling campaign for Dolce & Gabbana, where he earned a thousand dollars portraying an Italian tailor, and appearances on reality television shows like 'Farma,' where his perceived naivety endeared him to audiences.

However, the pressures of fame began to take a toll on his health and family. Months before his death, Jevrić underwent a complex surgery for clogged blood vessels. Despite doctors' pleas to quit smoking, he did not heed their advice. On the morning of his death, after having coffee with his wife, he set out for work, got into his car, but never started it. His son found him there, and paramedics could only confirm his death.

His grieving wife, Igbala, recounted the tragic moment: "He got into the car and died there." An autopsy confirmed the cause of death was a heart attack. Hundreds attended his funeral in New York, but the shine of his fame quickly faded. A year later, Igbala sadly admitted that everyone had forgotten them, with none of his reality show colleagues reaching out to her or their sons, leaving the family to cope alone with the loss of the man who had captured the region's attention.