Kostas Martakis
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| Kostas Martakis Κώστας Μαρτάκης |
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 25, 1984 |
| Origin | Athens,  Greece |
| Genre(s) | Modern Laika, Pop, Pop-Rock, Dance |
| Years active | 2006-Present |
| Label(s) | Sony BMG (2006-Present) |
Kostas Martakis (Greek: Κώστας Μαρτάκης) (born May 25, 1984)[1] is a popular up coming Greek singer who was born in Athens, Greece. He is signed to Sony BMG Greece and, as of recently, Sony BMG Russia.
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[edit] Career
Martakis first gained fame on the reality talent show Dream Show. Before that, he also did some modeling work, played basket ball where he won gold medals, as well as majored as a specialist in computer technologies at the American College in Athens, Greece. Shortly after his appearance on Dream Show, he signed a contract with Sony BMG Greece and released his first CD single in the summer of 2006 titled "Panta Mazi" (Always Together) which produced a string of hits. Famed manager Ilias Psinakis also noticed him of Dream Show, and proposed to Martakis to become his manager.
By winter 2006, Martakis was singing with singers Despina Vandi and Giorgos Mazonakis at REX night club, while in summer 2007 he starting singing with Kelly Kelekidou, Dionisis Makris, and Nikos Apergi.
In June 2007, Martakis released his first studio album titled Anatropi (Reversal). The album was generally well received with the title track "Anatropi" and "Nai" becoming hits. On the album he worked with such songwriters as Eleana Vrahali and Giannis Hristodoulopoulos, the songwriting duo behind Elena Paparizou's summer smash and the theme to the MEGA TV series "Mazi Sou" as well as Pigasos, Giannis Doksas & Mi Diathesimo who have all worked with Paparizou. In the summer of 2007, he also took part of the International Competition New Wave Festival 2007 held in Latvia, where he scored 4th place. The public voted him number 1, while his songs gained airplay. Shortly after, he signed a contract with Sony BMG Russia to release an English album in all the ex-soviet countries in 2008. Seeing his growing popularity, ERT asked him to compete in a National Final to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
[edit] Eurovision National Final
Kostas Martakis competed in the Greek National Final with a song by Dimitris Kontopoulos with lyrics by Vicky Gerothodorou. [2] The title was "Always and Forever".[3] Currently they are also writing a Russian version of the song.[4] The song Pop-Rock style version of the song was originally supposed to be performed at the National Final, but the Dance version was chosen instead by Martakis and his label.[5] Martakis will also release this song with Sony BMG Russia as a CD Single.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- 2007: Anatropi (Greece #09 )
- 2008: Upcoming Greek album
- 2008: Upcoming International album
[edit] CD Singles
- 2006: "Panta Mazi" (Greek Singles Chart #3)
- 2008: "Always and Forever" (Greek Singles Chart #2)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ ΒΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟ. ERT. Retrieved on February 19, 2008
- ^ Στην τελική ευθεία ο Κώστας Μαρτάκης. MAD TV. Retrieved on January 23, 2008 (Greek)
- ^ Kostas Martakis to sing 'Always & Forever'. Oikotimes. Retrieved on January 23, 2008
- ^ Dimitris Kontopoulos confirmed for Kostas Martakis song. Oikotimes. Retrieved on January 23, 2008
- ^ Κ.Μαρτάκης: Με την dance version στον τελικό. Eurovision-Greece. Retrieved on March 21, 2008
