Elli Kokkinou
Encyclopedia
Elli Kokkinou (ˈeli koˈcinu; Greek
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...

: Έλλη Κοκκίνου) (Born July 24, 1970) is 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....

 singer who was born in Athens
Athens
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...

, Greece. Kokkinou is among the most popular singers in Greece today. She has performed together with Greek music stars such as Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi , known as Anna Vishy in Cypriot Greek, is a Greek-Cypriot recording artist and actress...

, Glykeria
Glykeria
Glykeria is a Greek singer active in Greece and Cyprus, while also gaining fame in Israel, France, Turkey and England. Her career has spanned over 30 years and is marked by several multi-platinum releases...

, Paschalis Terzis
Paschalis Terzis
Paschalis Terzis is a popular Greek singer.-Biography:Terzis was born in Pylaia, a suburb of Thessaloniki in the region of Northern Greece. In his early teens he began to sing with friends, some of whom helped him in his career...

, Sakis Rouvas
Sakis Rouvas
Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas II , often referred to mononymously as Sakis, is a Greek musician, television and film artist, businessman, and former pole vaulter who is one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time in Greece and Cyprus...

, Tolis Voskopoulos
Tolis Voskopoulos
Apostolos Voskopoulos is one of the legends of modern Greek music. He also starred in many films and played in the Theatre in Athens....

, Thanos Petrelis
Thanos Petrelis
Athanasios Petrelis is a popular singer. He has released four albums and several singles.-Fame Story:...

, Natassa Theodoridou
Natassa Theodoridou
Natassa Theodoridou , born October 24, 1970 in Thessaloniki, is a well-known Greek singer and the only female Greek artist to have her first three albums achieve platinum status. She has been certified for a total of at least 432 thousand albums and 20 thousand singles sales by IFPI Greece...

, Yiorgos Tsalikis and Kalomoira. Kokkinou has been certified for the sales of 135 thousand albums by IFPI Greece
IFPI Greece
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Greece or IFPI Greece is the Greek branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and is the official charts provider and recording sales certification body for Greece. Currently two charts are compiled, one for sales of...

. On 14 March 2010, Alpha TV
Alpha TV
Alpha TV is a Greek terrestrial channel . The station features a mix of Greek and foreign shows with an emphasis on entertainment programs. The studios are located near Athens...

 ranked Kokkinou the 27th top-certified female artist in the nation's phonographic era (since 1960).

Early life and beginnings

Elli Kokkinou grew up in a family with a love of music. From a young age, Elli showed interest in music and was also part of the dance group at her school. Her father encouraged her to listen to music, mostly jazz, while her mother encouraged her to listen to more mainstream music, such as disco. At age five she started ballet, while at home she sang and danced for her parents at night. She soon began classic guitar courses at the Attiko Conservatory, and after that, acoustic and electric guitar lessons for another three years. Kokkinou was also very interested in sports and for six years before she finished school, she was on a water ski team. On the team she won third place in a pan-Hellenic championship as well as many gold medals. Upon graduation Kokkinou wrote her first band called "Anonimi" (Anonymous). At the same time she completed examinations and was accepted to the school Vakalo where she studied graphic, free and architectural drawing and art history.

Elli Kokkinou first professionally dealt with music in 1990 with the request of the famous Kostas Tournas. Soon after, Kokkinou collaborated with many big names at the clubs such as Antonis Vardis, Tolis Voskopoulos, Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi , known as Anna Vishy in Cypriot Greek, is a Greek-Cypriot recording artist and actress...

, Pashalis Terzis, Glykeria
Glykeria
Glykeria is a Greek singer active in Greece and Cyprus, while also gaining fame in Israel, France, Turkey and England. Her career has spanned over 30 years and is marked by several multi-platinum releases...

, Eleni Dimou, and many more. At the same time Kokkinou also provided backing vocals for a number of artists' albums.

In 1992, Elli Kokkinou moved to Los Angeles, CA
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...

 where she studied for two years voice and piano at the Musicians Institute of Technology. Her relocation to the United States offered her the chance to be taught by strong names in the music industry such as Carl Schroeder, pianist for Sarah Voaghn, and Scott Henderson
Scott Henderson
Scott Henderson is a fusion and blues guitarist best known for his work with the band Tribal Tech.-Early days:Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Henderson began playing guitar at an early age...

. In 1994 she graduated and returned to Greece.

1996-2002: Kapia Mera, Epikindyna Paihnidia, and Andriki Kolonia

In 1996 Elli Kokkinou signed a contract with Sony Music Greece and in 1998 she released her first CD single titled Kapia Mera (Someday). Music was by Antonis Vardis, with lyrics by Manou Tsilimidis and Gioula Gerorgiou.

In 1999, Elli Kokkinou released her debut album titled Epikindyna Paihnidia
Epikindyna Paihnidia
Epikindyna Paihnidia is the debut album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou. It was released in 1999 by Sony Music Greece...

(Dangerous games). The song "Pao Pao" became a hit single off the album. In 2000 she released her second album titled Andriki Kolonia
Andriki Kolonia
Andriki Kolonia is the second album recorded by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou. It was released in 2000 by Sony Music Greece and included Elli Kokkinou's first big hit "Na'ta Mas Pali", which gained airplay in clubs and radio stations in Greece.-Track listing:#"Andriki...

(Male cologne).

2002-2004: Sto Kokkino

In 2002 she signed with Heaven Music
Heaven Music
Heaven Music is an independent record label in Athens, Greece, founded in 2001 by ANT1 Group. It is known for signing new and young artists.-Overview:...

 and the following year started collaborating with popular song writer Phoebus. In May 2003 she released the album Sto Kokkino
Sto Kokkino
Sto Kokkino is an album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou that was released on May 15, 2003 by Heaven Music. The album gained 2x Platinum status, and was later re-released with four new songs and a DVD, and under the title Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition.Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition was released...

(In red) which was one of the most successful releases in Greece of the year, reaching double platinum status. The album's first platinum certification was attained within two months and was also a great success in neighboring Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

. Kokkinou performed with Giorgos Mazonakis
Giorgos Mazonakis
Giorgos Mazonakis is a Modern Laika and pop Greek singer.-Biography:Giorgos Mazonakis born and raised in the neighbourhood of Nikaia, Athens. He grew up listening to traditional folk songs of Stratos Dionysiou, Yiannis Parios, Marinella and Haris Alexiou. Very quickly, at the age of 15, he...

 in the song "To Gucci Ton Masai" which made it into the Greek top ten. Following the success of Sto Kokkino, her former label Sony Music released a greatest hits album titled Paradinomai
Paradinomai
Paradinomai: I Megaliteres Epitihies is the first greatest hits album by Greek artist Elli Kokkinou, released in November 2003 by Sony Music Greece.- Album Background :...

(I'm surrendering). Following the platinum status, Sto Kokkino was repackaged as Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition in 2004 with four bonus songs including a duet with Giorgos Tsalikis and a DVD. The four new songs became instant hits, while the re-release help push the certification up to 2x platinum.

On April 14, 2005, Elli Kokkinou won the international award for "Best New International Artist" by the "Union of Journalists of Turkey" (MGD), as her songs from Sto Kokkino were big hits in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

.

2005-2006: SEX

Following a series of concerts in the United States and Australia with Christos Dantis
Christos Dantis
Christos Dantis , is a Greek singer, songwriter, and musician best known for his hits such as "To Palio Mou Palto" and "Ena Tragoudi Akoma" and later for composing and co-writing the song "My Number One" for Elena Paparizou, winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 for Greece.- Early music career...

, Elli Kokkinou returned in the summer of 2005 and began recording songs for her next studio album with Phivos. On November 10, 2005 Kokkinou released her fourth studio album titled SEX
SEX (Elli Kokkinou album)
SEX is an album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou that was released on November 11, 2005 by Heaven Music. Following its platinum status, it was re-released with four new songs and a bonus DVD renamed Ki Allo Platinum Edition...

which was certified gold on the day of its release. The album shortly reached platinum status and was repackaged on November 13, 2006 as Ki' Allo Platinum Edition (More). Ki' Al'lo featured 4 new songs and a bonus DVD, including a duet with Thanos Petrelis
Thanos Petrelis
Athanasios Petrelis is a popular singer. He has released four albums and several singles.-Fame Story:...

 and the French language version of the single "SEX" first performed at the "MAD Music Video Awards" in 2006. For the winter season of 2006-2007, Kokkinou performed with Petrelis at club "Apollon".

2007-2009: Eilikrina

On April 1, 2007, Elli announced on her official website that she had left Heaven Music
Heaven Music
Heaven Music is an independent record label in Athens, Greece, founded in 2001 by ANT1 Group. It is known for signing new and young artists.-Overview:...

 and Phoebus stating she would like more creative input as one of her reasons. She also stated that Heaven Music had offered her to resign, which she decided not to do. Following a couple months without a label, Elli announced in July 2007, that she has signed with her original label Sony BMG Greece.

In September 2007, she started appearances with Nikos Kourkoulis and Natassa Theodoridou
Natassa Theodoridou
Natassa Theodoridou , born October 24, 1970 in Thessaloniki, is a well-known Greek singer and the only female Greek artist to have her first three albums achieve platinum status. She has been certified for a total of at least 432 thousand albums and 20 thousand singles sales by IFPI Greece...

 at club "Votanikos". In November 2007, she released her fifth studio album titled Eilikrina
Eilikrina
Eilikrina is the fifth studio album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou. It was released on October 22, 2007 by Sony BMG Greece. It is her first album released after return to Sony BMG from Heaven Music and Phoebus...

(Honestly). The album peaked at number 2 on the Greek IFPI charts, while her lead single "Lypamai Eilikrina" peaked at number 2 on the Nielsen's Greece Radio Airplay Chart. The album quickly certified gold. Due to her pregnancy, she stopped singing at Votanikos club on January 5, 2008 and Sarbel
Sarbel
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...

 replaced her.

In November 2008, Kokkinou released a song titled "Mi Ta Paratas" with music by Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos is one of the most famous Greek music composers known for his dance-pop music.-Personal life:Dimitris Kontopoulos was born in Athens, Greece on November 9, 1971...

, which was the title track to the Greek film "O Ilias Tou 16ou". She also recorded a track titled "Demenes" for the Barbie movie "I Barbie Kai To Diamantenio Kastro", releasing the video through her official Myspace page.

In late March 2009, she released a digital single titled "Pame Ksana" (Let's go again) composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos is one of the most famous Greek music composers known for his dance-pop music.-Personal life:Dimitris Kontopoulos was born in Athens, Greece on November 9, 1971...

 with lyrics by Alexandra Zakka. In June 2009 Elli started performing at club Romeo, marking the first time in a year that she was back on a stage. In October 2009 Kokkinou embarked on a North American tour, appearing in cities in the United States and Canada.

2010-present: Greek Idol and Epithimies

On November 27, 2009, it was announced that Kokkinou had left Sony Music Greece
Sony 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 would sign to Phoebus's record label, called The Spicy Effect
The Spicy Effect
The Spicy Effect, commonly referred to as Spicy, is a Greek independent record label founded in 2009 by songwriter and record producer Phoebus, in association with the investment arm of Nea Tileorasi.-Overview:...

. On December 11, 2009, Kokkinou officially signed a five-year contract with the label. As a result, Kokkinou will once again collaborate with Phoebus on her new album. Speaking at the signing, Kokkinou stated that the first single from her upcoming album written by Phoebus has been recorded and will be released in January. On January 22, 2010, Kokkinou released a digital single titled "Ontos" (Indeed), which featured rapper Ypochthonios. A remix followed, while in March 2010, Kokkinou released another digital single titled "Apohoro" (I'm departing).

On July 23, 2010, Kokkinou kicked off a summer tour across Greece and Cyprus with Despina Vandi
Despina Vandi
Despina Malea , known by her stage name Despina Vandi , is a Greek singer. Born in Tübingen near Stuttgart, West Germany, Vandi's family returned to Kavala, Greece when she was six years old and she later enrolled at the University of Thessaloniki, but eventually dropped out to begin a career in...

. For the winter season, Kokkinou will be appearing with Vasilis Karras
Vasilis Karras
Vasilis Karras is a Greek folk singer, in 2010 he celebrated his 30th year as a recording artist.-Biography:...

 at club FIX in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...

 set to kick off on October 22, 2010. Songwriter Phoebus has written them a duet titled "Den Tin Palevo" which premiered on October 12, 2010. Her new album is expected to be released in November 2010.

On October 26, 2010, Alpha TV
Alpha TV
Alpha TV is a Greek terrestrial channel . The station features a mix of Greek and foreign shows with an emphasis on entertainment programs. The studios are located near Athens...

 announced that Elli Kokkinou will be a judge for season 2
Greek Idol (season 2)
The second season of Greek Idol premiered on 19 February 2011 and concluded on 25 June 2011, on Alpha TV.-Judges:Following the end of season one, Dimitris Kontopoulos and Maro Theodoraki announced they would not reprise their roles as judges for the second season...

 of reality singing competition Greek Idol
Greek Idol
Greek Idol is a reality television competition to find new solo singing talent. Part of the Idol franchise, it is based on the British show Pop Idol created by Simon Fuller. The first season of the show debut on March 5, 2010 on Alpha TV. The second season is scheduled to premiere on 19 February 2011...

, which started in February 2011. She will be releasing a new studio album titled Epithimies (Wishes) in September 2011, her first since 2007's Eilikrina
Eilikrina
Eilikrina is the fifth studio album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou. It was released on October 22, 2007 by Sony BMG Greece. It is her first album released after return to Sony BMG from Heaven Music and Phoebus...

, and her first on The Spicy Effect
The Spicy Effect
The Spicy Effect, commonly referred to as Spicy, is a Greek independent record label founded in 2009 by songwriter and record producer Phoebus, in association with the investment arm of Nea Tileorasi.-Overview:...

. The album will include seven new songs, along with the five previously released digital singles and bonus remixes.

Personal life

In the 1990s, Elli Kokkinou had a relationship with Dionisis Schinas. Later, in 2000, she began dating her business manager, Panayiotis Vassiliadis, and in September 2007 the two married. She became a stepmother to his three children from a previous marriage. In December 2007 she revealed that she was pregnant with her first child after much media scrutiny. In June 2008 Kokkinou gave birth to a boy. After much speculation and no public joint appearance of the two in six month, Kokkinou and her son moved to a new house in March 2010 with the couple announcing their divorce shortly after.

Studio albums

All the albums listed underneath were released and charted in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....

 and Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...

.
Year Title Certification
1999 Epikindyna Paihnidia
Epikindyna Paihnidia
Epikindyna Paihnidia is the debut album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou. It was released in 1999 by Sony Music Greece...

2000 Andriki Kolonia
Andriki Kolonia
Andriki Kolonia is the second album recorded by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou. It was released in 2000 by Sony Music Greece and included Elli Kokkinou's first big hit "Na'ta Mas Pali", which gained airplay in clubs and radio stations in Greece.-Track listing:#"Andriki...

2003 Sto Kokkino
Sto Kokkino
Sto Kokkino is an album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou that was released on May 15, 2003 by Heaven Music. The album gained 2x Platinum status, and was later re-released with four new songs and a DVD, and under the title Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition.Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition was released...

2x Platinum
2005 SEX/Ki Allo Platinum Edition
SEX (Elli Kokkinou album)
SEX is an album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou that was released on November 11, 2005 by Heaven Music. Following its platinum status, it was re-released with four new songs and a bonus DVD renamed Ki Allo Platinum Edition...

Platinum
2007 Eilikrina
Eilikrina
Eilikrina is the fifth studio album by popular Greek artist Elli Kokkinou. It was released on October 22, 2007 by Sony BMG Greece. It is her first album released after return to Sony BMG from Heaven Music and Phoebus...

Gold
2011 Epithimies

CD Singles

Year Title Notes
1998 "Kapoia Mera"

Digital singles

Year Title Notes
2008 "Min Ta Paratas"
2008 "Demenes" Barbie & The Diamond Castle
Barbie and the Diamond Castle
Barbie and the Diamond Castle is a 2008 direct-to-video computer-animated film that was released on September 9, 2008. The film features the voice of Kelly Sheridan, who has voiced the Barbie protagonist in the CGI Barbie film series...

2009 "Pame Ksana"
2010 "Ontos" (Remix)
2010 "Apοhoro"
2010 "Den Tin Palevo" (feat. Vasilis Karras
Vasilis Karras
Vasilis Karras is a Greek folk singer, in 2010 he celebrated his 30th year as a recording artist.-Biography:...

)
2011 "Eroteftika"
2011 "Ta Genethlia Mou"

Compilations

Year Title Notes
2003 Paradinomai
Paradinomai
Paradinomai: I Megaliteres Epitihies is the first greatest hits album by Greek artist Elli Kokkinou, released in November 2003 by Sony Music Greece.- Album Background :...


External links

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