Eirini Merkouri
Encyclopedia
Irini Merkouri is a Greek
pop and laïka
singer.
to a Greek
father and a Romani mother. She began showing interest in being a singer at a very young age and at the age of seven she would mimic all the singers she would see on television.
and recorded her first solo album Na Fysai I Anixi
in November 2001. As part of this album she sang a duet with Antonis Remos
titled "Dio Mas" and a Greek version of the French song "Si Tu Ouvres Tes Bras" titled "Iparhi Kai Theos". The album included a total of twelve songs including the hits "Syntelia" and "Foties Anapste".
In June 2003 Merkouri released her second studio album, titled Mine Mazi Mou Apopse (Stay With Me Tonight). It consisted of 12 songs and included a remix of "Syntelia" which topped the airplay charts for 3 consecutive months. The album also included the hits "Ematha Na Zo Horis Esena" and "Meine Mazi Mou Apopse".
's "Se Pira Sovara". In the same CD Single, Merkouri and Sarbel also released a second duet called "Agapi Mou Esi".
In June 2004 Merkouri released her third studio album, titled Palirroia
, which contained 15 new songs. The first single to hit the airwaves was "Ela", a song with a mix of both modern laika and ragga elements. The second single, "Pou Na Fantasto" became the first video clip of the album and was a big hit at clubs throughout Greece
. The third single, "Krata Me Ksana", was written by Takis Damashis of C:Real
and with his help Merkouri won the Arion Award for "Best Pop Singer".
The year 2006 brought Merkouri's fifth studio album, titled Argises
(You Were Late). It contained 13 new songs including the hits "Pame Gi'Alla" and "Miso Lepto" which became a video clip. Christos Pazis performs a duet with Merkouri called "Argises".
Merkouri finished off 2007 with the release of a CD single titled "Nai
" (Yes). It contained two songs "Nai" and "Kane Ena Tsigaro". "Nai" was made into a video clip, and the single reached the second place on the IFPI
Singles Chart for Greece.
Shortly after, Merkouri recorded a new album in the studio with Sony BMG Greece. After internal disagreements with Sony BMG, Merkouri reportedly severed ties with label in 2009, and it is unknown what will happen with the unreleased material. Merkori signed with newly established label E.DI.EL. in 2009, which later re-branded to 4Music. In mid-2009, Merkouri digitally released the song "Parakseno Agori".
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
pop and laïka
Laika
Laika was a Soviet space dog that became the first animal to orbit the Earth – as well as the first animal to die in orbit.As little was known about the impact of spaceflight on living creatures at the time of Laika's mission, and the technology to de-orbit had not yet been developed, there...
singer.
Early life
Merkouri was born and raised in Ilion, AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
to a Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
father and a Romani mother. She began showing interest in being a singer at a very young age and at the age of seven she would mimic all the singers she would see on television.
2001 - 2003: Debut Album & Meine Mazi Mou Apopse
Irini Merkouri signed a contract with Sony Music GreeceSony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
and recorded her first solo album Na Fysai I Anixi
Na Fysai I Anixi
Na Fysai I Anixi is the debut album of popular Greek singer, Irini Merkouri. It was released in Greece in 2002 by Sony Music Greece and it includes 2 duets with popular Greek singers Antonis Remos and Kostas Doxas.-Track listing:# "Sintelia"...
in November 2001. As part of this album she sang a duet with Antonis Remos
Antonis Remos
Antonis Remos , is a Greek laïko singer.-Early life:Antonis Remos was born in Düsseldorf, West Germany. He was raised there by his Greek parents, and later his family moved back to their native Thessaloniki, Greece, where he finished school. During his childhood he got involved with music and...
titled "Dio Mas" and a Greek version of the French song "Si Tu Ouvres Tes Bras" titled "Iparhi Kai Theos". The album included a total of twelve songs including the hits "Syntelia" and "Foties Anapste".
In June 2003 Merkouri released her second studio album, titled Mine Mazi Mou Apopse (Stay With Me Tonight). It consisted of 12 songs and included a remix of "Syntelia" which topped the airplay charts for 3 consecutive months. The album also included the hits "Ematha Na Zo Horis Esena" and "Meine Mazi Mou Apopse".
2004: Sarbel & Palirroia
In 2004 Merkouri was featured in SarbelSarbel
Sarbel Michael known professionally as Sarbel, is a Greek Cypriot pop singer of partial Cypriot and Lebanese ancestry. He is well known in Cyprus, Greece and parts of the Arab world for his debut single, "Se pira sovara", and his subsequent albums Parakseno sinesthima, Sahara and Kati san esena...
's "Se Pira Sovara". In the same CD Single, Merkouri and Sarbel also released a second duet called "Agapi Mou Esi".
In June 2004 Merkouri released her third studio album, titled Palirroia
Palirroia
Palirroia is an album released by popular Greek singer, Irini Merkouri. It was released in Greece in 2004 by Sony Music Greece.-Track listing:# "Pou Na Fantasto"# "Ela"# "Krata Me Ksana"# "Palirroia"# "Siko Horepse"# "Erotas Pikros"...
, which contained 15 new songs. The first single to hit the airwaves was "Ela", a song with a mix of both modern laika and ragga elements. The second single, "Pou Na Fantasto" became the first video clip of the album and was a big hit at clubs throughout Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The third single, "Krata Me Ksana", was written by Takis Damashis of C:Real
C:Real
C:Real is a popular Greek pop rock band. They are characterized by their pop rock sound and live performances.-1997–2000: Beginnings:The group was created in 1996 by composer, lyricist, and producer Takis Damaschis. Their first single was released a little after the creation of group and was...
and with his help Merkouri won the Arion Award for "Best Pop Singer".
2005 - 2009: Aneta, Argises, & "Nai"
On July 7, 2005, Merkouri released her fourth studio album, titled Aneta (Comfortably). It featured hits from her previous albums and also contained 7 new songs."The year 2006 brought Merkouri's fifth studio album, titled Argises
Argises
Argises is an album released by popular Greek singer, Irini Merkouri. It was released in Greece in November 2006 by Sony BMG Greece.-Track listing:# "Kati Trehi" - 3:52# "Miso Lepto" - 3:16# "Pame Gi'alla" - 4:26...
(You Were Late). It contained 13 new songs including the hits "Pame Gi'Alla" and "Miso Lepto" which became a video clip. Christos Pazis performs a duet with Merkouri called "Argises".
Merkouri finished off 2007 with the release of a CD single titled "Nai
Nai (song)
"Nai" is a CD single by popular Greek artist Irini Merkouri released in December 2007 by Sony BMG Greece.-Charts:...
" (Yes). It contained two songs "Nai" and "Kane Ena Tsigaro". "Nai" was made into a video clip, and the single reached the second place on the IFPI
IFPI
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland...
Singles Chart for Greece.
Shortly after, Merkouri recorded a new album in the studio with Sony BMG Greece. After internal disagreements with Sony BMG, Merkouri reportedly severed ties with label in 2009, and it is unknown what will happen with the unreleased material. Merkori signed with newly established label E.DI.EL. in 2009, which later re-branded to 4Music. In mid-2009, Merkouri digitally released the song "Parakseno Agori".
Albums
- 2002: Na Fysai I AnixiNa Fysai I AnixiNa Fysai I Anixi is the debut album of popular Greek singer, Irini Merkouri. It was released in Greece in 2002 by Sony Music Greece and it includes 2 duets with popular Greek singers Antonis Remos and Kostas Doxas.-Track listing:# "Sintelia"...
- 2003: Mine Mazi Mou Apopse
- 2004: PalirroiaPalirroiaPalirroia is an album released by popular Greek singer, Irini Merkouri. It was released in Greece in 2004 by Sony Music Greece.-Track listing:# "Pou Na Fantasto"# "Ela"# "Krata Me Ksana"# "Palirroia"# "Siko Horepse"# "Erotas Pikros"...
- 2005: Aneta
- 2006: ArgisesArgisesArgises is an album released by popular Greek singer, Irini Merkouri. It was released in Greece in November 2006 by Sony BMG Greece.-Track listing:# "Kati Trehi" - 3:52# "Miso Lepto" - 3:16# "Pame Gi'alla" - 4:26...
- 2010: Upcoming Album