In 1981, Mandić released his debut album, entitled "Probaj me" ("Try Me"), produced by Peter MacTaggart. All the songs were composed by Mandić, and the lyrics were written by Marina Tucaković. The album brought hits "Nije za nju" ("Not for Her"), "Samo nebo zna (Poludeću)" ("Sky Only Knows (I'll Go Crazy)") and rerecorded "Osloni se na mene". The album was promoted with a TV show "Beograd noću" ("Belgrade at Night"), directed by Stanko Crnobrnja. The ambitiously avantgarde programme even won Rose d'Or award at the 1981 Montreux TV festival. Mandić's controversial androgynous image in the show, was conceived by his school mate and good friend Slađana Milošević who, after many days and nights spent in endless persuasions and discussions, finally put Oliver in touch with conceptual artist Kosta Bunuševac who, she thought, would create the outwardly image for Oliver. This had raised quite a public furor due to the singer's cross-dressing and aggressive makeup. His androgynous image, which the Yugoslav audience found especially shocking in the early 1980s, attracted considerable media attention.