Mile Kekin (born January 11, 1971) is best known as the frontman of the Zagreb punk-rock band Hladno pivo. During his more than 35-year career, Kekin became one of the most influential Croatian singer-songwriters and songwriters, known for his energetic performances and critical social texts. He started his career in his teenage days in Zagreb, and after working with Hladni pivo for many years, he recently started an independent project and a new album. In addition to music, Kekin has publicly engaged in social issues (eg minority rights, politics) and occasionally appears in films and series.
Early life and education
Mile Kekin was born in Bretten, Germany in 1971. He spent his childhood partly in Germany, and then moved to Tuzla (Bosnia), where he attended elementary school. After his father passed away, the family moved to Zagreb in the 1980s. There, Kekin finished high school and enrolled in English and German language studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb. He finished his studies – he graduated in English and German and worked briefly as a foreign language teacher.
music career
Founding of cold beer and first year
Back in his youth, Mile was fascinated by punk-rock music (he listened to bands as Sex Pistols, Ramones, Dead Kennedys and local musicians like Azra). Under the influence of the cult Zagreb band Zabranjeno pušenje, in 1988, Mile and friends from the Gajnica neighborhood in Zagreb founded a punk-rock group Cold beer. They held their first public performance in the same year. The band soon became known for witty, often satirical lyrics commenting on social and political circumstances.
Cold beer albums and successes
Hladno pivo released a series of studio albums that became hits of the domestic rock scene. Among them stand out:
- Giant (1993) – the debut album with which the band made a recognizable sound.
- Mr.A.D. (1995) – an album that further strengthened the band’s popularity.
- Ten (1997) and Win (1999) – Continuation of success with a series of energetic songs.
- Slap (2000) – Kekin considers it a crucial album for his original development, full of “love and poisonous” lyrics.
- Complaint book (2002) – according to Kekin, is one of his favorite albums.
Later, albums came like world of glamour (2007) and closed door days (2011). While working with Hladni pivo, Kekin is the author or co-author of almost all songs, many of which have become evergreens of domestic radio stations (for example, “Emanuel”, “Not everything is so gray”, “Good morning”, “Pietao”). The musical legacy of Cold Beer includes eight studio albums and numerous concerts throughout the region.
Projects outside of cold beer
In addition to working with cold beer, Mile Kekin also released an album in 2001 in two eyes under the name “Miles and travelers”. On that album, he collaborated with Ivanka Mazurkijević and other musicians, and they created gentler rock ballads such as the song “Maslina”. After a short break, Kekin returned to Hladno pivo, albeit with a slightly changed lineup of band members.
Solo career
In the years after 2020, Mile Kekin begins an independent journey. In 2023, he releases his first solo album gently with the sole which, as he himself described, has a “classically guitaristic” sound. The album was recorded with new musicians, and he combines punk-rock roots with the influences of fierce bands (Dead Kennedys, Idles, Misfits) and melodic elements. After the release of the album, Kekin did an extensive tour in the region called “Soundtrack for life” (2024), at the end of which (February 2025) he announces a new studio release.
Breaking up with cold beer
After 35 years of working together, Mile Kekin parted ways with Hladni pivo in 2023. As he explained in an interview, the long-term tears of difference led to a stoppage in work, and the final reason was the discord about the creation of new songs – “the key moment was when I came with the song… They[su]We wanted it to sound like that, to make it sound like this… We didn’t manage to come to an agreement, so we said that we wouldn’t do new things anymore.” Nevertheless, Kekin emphasized that parting is calm and that he himself “simply has to move on”, because numerous new songs could not fit him in the previous punk-rock framework. This formally ended his “first career”, and the solo phase began, which he continues to sing his own lyrics.
Film, TV and media
In addition to music, Mile Kekin occasionally participated in television and film projects. television roles include appearances in popular series: eg in sitcom rascals and princesses He portrayed the character of Saša “Erotman” (2005–2010), and was also in an episodic role in the series Law! (2009) and in a drama series black and white world (2015). In movies, Kekin appeared amongst other in the headlines Sing something loving (2007) as a club owner and in a documentary film National hero Ljiljan Vidić (2015) in a rather unusual role of “ATM”. One of his latest roles is the character of Mirko Novosel in the film Dražen (2024), biographical work on the famous basketball player Dražen Petrović. He also did cartoon synchronization (eg the first season incomprehensible “Zebra runner” in 2005, and characters in Smurfs 2, Alvin and squirrels etc.). With his acting performance, Kekin attracted attention, but he points out that acting “accumulated a lot of these small roles” spontaneously and often from good experience with people from the production profession.
Social engagement and attitudes
Mile Kekin is also known to the public for his political and social engagements. His song lyrics often criticize current social events, and he personally does not remain silent on topics that affect him. For example, in 2013, he publicly opposed the referendum proposal for restriction of the right to marriage of same-sex couples, stressing that he is ashamed to participate in an initiative that “makes rights different from him”. He also actively supported Zagreb Pride and the rights of LGBT people – in 2013, he was also declared a “homo-fend of the year” for advocating for tolerance and equality. In 2016, he recorded a video “I’m not yours” in which he criticizes radical right-wing and populist political messages.
- Socio-political views: He openly speaks against hatred and discrimination, nurtures anti-fascist principles, and is not afraid to comment on current events.
- Musical activism: The themes from the songs are often criticisms of society and politics, which testifies to his reputation as an hired singer-songwriter.
Controversies
In April 2025, the public was also intrigued by the affair related to the purchase of land in the County of Istria. Kekin and his wife Ivana, in the proceedings led by USKOK, were accused of buying a piece of land from the City of Buje in 2018 than the market price. According to reports, USKOK suspects that the land was worth up to three times more than was paid. After questioning, Kekin was released, complaining that he was a victim of a political confrontation – the mayor of Zagreb commented that the arrest of “messages to everyone who criticizes” is the corrupt authorities. The Kekins pointed out that everything was done according to the rules of the public tender and that the price was shown by the data of expert estimates. While investigations are still ongoing, this situation is the main supporting news in his biography at the end of 2025.
personal life
Mile Kekin lives in Zagreb and is married to Ivana Novosel (a student of medicine who became his wife in 2007), with whom he has two children: son Vito (born in 2007) and daughter Miša (born in 2012). The couple joined forces in the family construction of a house in Momjan (Istria), which was also the topic of media articles about the disputed land. Ivana Kekin occasionally appears in public – she participated, for example, in a video for the song Hladni piva “any number” At the end of 2013. In addition to family, Mile often mentions friends and colleagues from the music scene as an important support. Privately, he is a graduate language teacher and held a private foreign language school for some time, and then devoted himself exclusively to music.
Conclusion
Mile Kekin left a strong mark on the Croatian rock scene with his long career. From the founding of Cold Beer to independent projects, his music resonated with generations of listeners, and his social engagement encouraged discussions on important issues. Although he moved into solo leadership in 2023, his career continues – his performances and new album promise that Mile will continue to sing for lovers of quality rock music. What is your favorite Mile Kekin song? Let us know in the comments! Follow us for more articles about music legends and their stories.
Sources: Details of Mile Kekin and his biography are taken from relevant audience sources and interviews.
