Kostas Martakis
Encyclopedia
Konstantinos "Kostas" Martakis is a Greek
singer, who rose to fame after appearing on Greek talent show Dream Show aired by Alpha TV
in 2006. Following his participation, he went on to release three studio albums and also participated in the Greek national final
for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
. In 2011, he participated in the second season
of Greece's Dancing with the Stars
, placing second.
to parents Nikos Martakis and Labrini Martaki of Cretan
origin. Martakis has an older sister and after his mother and father divorced, Martakis lived with his mother.
. 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 "Panda Mazi" (Always together). By winter 2006, Martakis was singing alongside Despina Vandi
and Giorgos Mazonakis
at REX night club, while in summer 2007 he starting singing with Kelly Kelekidou
and Dionisis Makris at "Romeo" summer club.
In June 2007, Martakis released his first studio album titled Anatropi (Reversal). The album was generally well received, leading him to win the award for "Best New Artist" at the MAD Video Music Awards 2007.
In the summer of 2007, he also took part of the international competition New Wave Festival 2007 held in Latvia, where he scored 2nd place, winning 1st place in the public vote. Shortly after, he was booked by Sony BMG Russia to release an English album in all the ex-soviet countries in 2008, although this never materialized and his collaboration with the Russian branch was terminated.
for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
. Kostas Martakis competed in the Greek National Final
with a song by Dimitris Kontopoulos
, with lyrics by Vicky Gerothodorou. The song was "Always and Forever". and it was recorded in two different styles. The pop rock
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. The winning entrant was "Secret Combination
" by Kalomoira, and Martakis' entry "Always and Forever" placed second. Following the Greek national final, a Russian language cover of "Always and Forever" based on the dance version with the title "С тобой навеки" (With you forever) was released in ex-soviet countries, while in December 2008, "Always & Forever" was added to American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch
's nationwide US in-store music playlist, thus indirectly introducing the song to the American market.
Kostas Martakis and Danish-Greek singer Shaya
were chosen to record a Greek-language version of Right Here, Right Now
from the soundtrack
of the Disney film High School Musical 3: Senior Year
. The cover was titled "Mikroi Theoi" (Little Gods) and was released as a single off of the Greek edition of the film's soundtrack, as well as being made into a music video with Martakis and Shaya molded together with scenes from the film. The music video was included as a bonus feature on the Greek edition of the film's home video release. Walt Disney Records
, via its international distribution partner EMI
, commissioned several local market, foreign language versions of songs from the entire High School Musical
series, although "Mikroi Theoi" was the only Greek version song.
"Fila Me" is another single by Martakis of which was made into a music video and released as a digital single. Martakis then took a break from recording and live shows as he was called to fulfill service in the Hellenic Navy
.
In fall 2008, Kostas Martakis was the opening act for the Athens concert of Jennifer Lopez
. He was chosen by concert organizers after they reviewed several video screenings of Greek artists. Ιn November 2008 American television station E!
included Martakis on their "25 Most Sexy Men in the World", describing him a "Greek God".
. The collaboration with Sony BMG helped spawn nine singles, but his departure from the label in 2009 was on good terms.
In June 2009, Martakis released a song as a digital download single titled "Pio Konta" (Come closer) composed by Swedish producers Holter & Erixson. On November 12, 2009, Martakis released his second studio album titled Pio Konta
, which went platinum.
In early 2011, Martakis participated in the second season
of the Greek version
of Dancing with the Stars
and was partnered with Maria Antimisari. He placed second on the show. In March 2011, he traveled to Moscow to record the duet titled "Sex Indigo" with Russian pop star Diana Diez. A video was shot in Ukraine by the director Alan Badoev, while the song will be included in the both artist's new albums. The premiere of song "Sex Indigo" was on March 18, the version of "Sex Indigo" in Greek "Vres Ton Tropo" (Find the Way) was premiere on April 28 and the version of" Sex Indigo "in Spanish was the May 4. The world premieres of the three versions were on the Official Facebook Group of Kostas and the channel of the artist on YouTube, the letter of the Spanish version of "Sex Indigo" was written by Juliana Lira and Fermin Lira, The Sex Indigo video was premiered on July 14 for the ELLO channel and the Russian version was released on November 11 in the Diana Díez channel Official On YouTube.
Martakis will be releasing his third studio album titled Entasi (Intensity) on December 5, 2011. In the lead up to the album's release, Martakis teamed up with MAD TV and Hellas On-Line
(HOL) for a special web concert previewing is new songs on Novembrer 24, 2011.
and Cyprus
.
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 rose to fame after appearing on Greek talent show Dream Show aired by 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...
in 2006. Following his participation, he went on to release three studio albums and also participated in the Greek national final
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Greece entered the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Secret Combination", written by Konstantinos Pantzis with lyrics by Poseidonas Giannopoulos. The song was performed by Kalomoira, an American singer of Greek descent who had previously won a Greek talent show...
for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...
. In 2011, he participated in the second season
Dancing with the Stars (Greece) (Season 2)
Dancing with the Stars was a Greek reality show airing on ANT1 and filmed live in Athens. The show was based on the United Kingdom BBC Television series Strictly Come Dancing and was part of BBC Worldwide's Dancing with the Stars franchise. The theme song was "It's personal" performed by Swedish...
of Greece's Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (Greece)
Dancing with the Stars is a Greek reality show airing on ANT1 and filmed live in Athens. The show is based on the United Kingdom BBC Television series Strictly Come Dancing and is part of BBC Worldwide's Dancing with the Stars franchise...
, placing second.
Early life
Kostas Martakis was born on May 25, 1984 in 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 parents Nikos Martakis and Labrini Martaki of Cretan
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
origin. Martakis has an older sister and after his mother and father divorced, Martakis lived with his mother.
2006–2007: Dream Show and debut album
Martakis first gained fame on the reality talent show Dream Show. Prior he had also done modelling work and played basketball in amateur minor leagues where he won some medals, as well as majoring in computer technologies at American College of GreeceAmerican College of Greece
The American College of Greece was founded in Smyrna, Asia Minor in 1875 and is the considered to be Europe’s oldest and largest, comprehensive, U.S.-accredited academic institution and the largest private institute of tertiary education in 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 "Panda Mazi" (Always together). By winter 2006, Martakis was singing alongside 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...
and 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...
at REX night club, while in summer 2007 he starting singing with Kelly Kelekidou
Kelly Kelekidou
Kelly Kelekidou , sometimes referred to as Kel Kel, is a Greek singer. To date, she has released four studio albums and one CD Single which was certified Gold.-Career:...
and Dionisis Makris at "Romeo" summer club.
In June 2007, Martakis released his first studio album titled Anatropi (Reversal). The album was generally well received, leading him to win the award for "Best New Artist" at the MAD Video Music Awards 2007.
In the summer of 2007, he also took part of the international competition New Wave Festival 2007 held in Latvia, where he scored 2nd place, winning 1st place in the public vote. Shortly after, he was booked by Sony BMG Russia to release an English album in all the ex-soviet countries in 2008, although this never materialized and his collaboration with the Russian branch was terminated.
2008: Greece's Eurovision national final
Seeing his growing popularity, ERT asked him to compete in the Greek national finalGreece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Greece entered the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Secret Combination", written by Konstantinos Pantzis with lyrics by Poseidonas Giannopoulos. The song was performed by Kalomoira, an American singer of Greek descent who had previously won a Greek talent show...
for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...
. Kostas Martakis competed in the Greek National Final
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Greece entered the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Secret Combination", written by Konstantinos Pantzis with lyrics by Poseidonas Giannopoulos. The song was performed by Kalomoira, an American singer of Greek descent who had previously won a Greek talent show...
with a song 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 Vicky Gerothodorou. The song was "Always and Forever". and it was recorded in two different styles. The pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
version of the song was originally supposed to be performed at the National Final
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Greece entered the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Secret Combination", written by Konstantinos Pantzis with lyrics by Poseidonas Giannopoulos. The song was performed by Kalomoira, an American singer of Greek descent who had previously won a Greek talent show...
, but the dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
version was chosen instead by Martakis and his label. The winning entrant was "Secret Combination
Secret Combination (song)
"Secret Combination" is a song and CD single by Greek singer Kalomira. It was Greece's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and the first single released from Kalomira's fourth studio album titled Secret Combination the Album. It earned third place in the Eurovision final, finishing behind...
" by Kalomoira, and Martakis' entry "Always and Forever" placed second. Following the Greek national final, a Russian language cover of "Always and Forever" based on the dance version with the title "С тобой навеки" (With you forever) was released in ex-soviet countries, while in December 2008, "Always & Forever" was added to American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch is an American retailer that focuses on casual wear for consumers aged 18 to 22. It has over 300 locations in the United States, and is expanding internationally....
's nationwide US in-store music playlist, thus indirectly introducing the song to the American market.
Kostas Martakis and Danish-Greek singer Shaya
Shaya (singer)
Marianna Hansen , known professionally as Shaya, is a Danish-Greek singer. Shaya was a member of the girl band Hi-5, the result of the Greek version of the talent show Popstars...
were chosen to record a Greek-language version of Right Here, Right Now
Right Here, Right Now (High School Musical song)
"Right Here, Right Now" is the fourth official single from High School Musical 3: Senior Year soundtrack, performed by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens as Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez. It is the second track on soundtrack's tracklisting. However, when the song is sung in the movie, the second...
from the soundtrack
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (soundtrack)
-2-Disc Premiere edition:On the same day the soundtrack was released, Walt Disney Records released High School Musical 3: Senior Year 2-Disc Premiere edition Soundtrack, a special two-disc set of the High School Musical 3: Senior Year soundtrack. It is only available for a limited time at...
of the Disney film High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a 2008 American romantic musical film and the third and final installment in the High School Musical trilogy. Its theatrical release in the United States began on October 24, 2008...
. The cover was titled "Mikroi Theoi" (Little Gods) and was released as a single off of the Greek edition of the film's soundtrack, as well as being made into a music video with Martakis and Shaya molded together with scenes from the film. The music video was included as a bonus feature on the Greek edition of the film's home video release. Walt Disney Records
Walt Disney Records
Walt Disney Records is a family music record label owned by the Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Records was formed in 1956 as Disneyland Records. Before that time, Disney recordings were licensed out to a variety of other labels such as . It was Walt Disney’s brother Roy O...
, via its international distribution partner EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, commissioned several local market, foreign language versions of songs from the entire High School Musical
High School Musical
High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
series, although "Mikroi Theoi" was the only Greek version song.
"Fila Me" is another single by Martakis of which was made into a music video and released as a digital single. Martakis then took a break from recording and live shows as he was called to fulfill service in the Hellenic Navy
Conscription in Greece
As of 2009, Greece has mandatory military service of 9 months for men between the ages of 18 and 45. Citizens discharged from active service are normally placed in the Reserve and are subject to periodic recall of 1–10 days at irregular intervals.-Duration:Universal conscription was introduced in...
.
In fall 2008, Kostas Martakis was the opening act for the Athens concert of Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
. He was chosen by concert organizers after they reviewed several video screenings of Greek artists. Ιn November 2008 American television station E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
included Martakis on their "25 Most Sexy Men in the World", describing him a "Greek God".
2009-present: Pio Konta, Dancing with the Stars, & Entasi
In March 2009, it was announced that Kostas Martakis signed with Universal Music GreeceUniversal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
. The collaboration with Sony BMG helped spawn nine singles, but his departure from the label in 2009 was on good terms.
In June 2009, Martakis released a song as a digital download single titled "Pio Konta" (Come closer) composed by Swedish producers Holter & Erixson. On November 12, 2009, Martakis released his second studio album titled Pio Konta
Pio Konta
Pio Konta is the second album released by Greek singer Kostas Martakis, released in Greece and Cyprus on 12 November 2009 by Universal Music Greece. The album has eleven songs in total, including two English language songs. Furthermore, five songs were recorded and produced at Lionheart Studios in...
, which went platinum.
In early 2011, Martakis participated in the second season
Dancing with the Stars (Greece) (Season 2)
Dancing with the Stars was a Greek reality show airing on ANT1 and filmed live in Athens. The show was based on the United Kingdom BBC Television series Strictly Come Dancing and was part of BBC Worldwide's Dancing with the Stars franchise. The theme song was "It's personal" performed by Swedish...
of the Greek version
Dancing with the Stars (Greece)
Dancing with the Stars is a Greek reality show airing on ANT1 and filmed live in Athens. The show is based on the United Kingdom BBC Television series Strictly Come Dancing and is part of BBC Worldwide's Dancing with the Stars franchise...
of Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
and was partnered with Maria Antimisari. He placed second on the show. In March 2011, he traveled to Moscow to record the duet titled "Sex Indigo" with Russian pop star Diana Diez. A video was shot in Ukraine by the director Alan Badoev, while the song will be included in the both artist's new albums. The premiere of song "Sex Indigo" was on March 18, the version of "Sex Indigo" in Greek "Vres Ton Tropo" (Find the Way) was premiere on April 28 and the version of" Sex Indigo "in Spanish was the May 4. The world premieres of the three versions were on the Official Facebook Group of Kostas and the channel of the artist on YouTube, the letter of the Spanish version of "Sex Indigo" was written by Juliana Lira and Fermin Lira, The Sex Indigo video was premiered on July 14 for the ELLO channel and the Russian version was released on November 11 in the Diana Díez channel Official On YouTube.
Martakis will be releasing his third studio album titled Entasi (Intensity) on December 5, 2011. In the lead up to the album's release, Martakis teamed up with MAD TV and Hellas On-Line
Hellas On-Line
hellas online is one of the leading Greek fixed-line telephony services providers based in Athens. hellas online is member of the Intracom Holdings group since 2006, is one of the first Internet providers in Greece to offer public dial-up Internet services, and has since evolved from an ISP,...
(HOL) for a special web concert previewing is new songs on Novembrer 24, 2011.
Studio albums
All the albums listed below were released in GreeceGreece
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Anatropi Anatropi Anatropi is the debut album of the Greek singer Kostas Martakis, released in Greece on July 20, 2007 by Sony BMG Greece. It includes many hit singles like "Anatropi", "Nai", "Astous Na Lene" and "Oneira Megala". In March 2008, the album was repackaged to include the CD single "Always and Forever"... |
- |
| 2009 | Pio Konta Pio Konta Pio Konta is the second album released by Greek singer Kostas Martakis, released in Greece and Cyprus on 12 November 2009 by Universal Music Greece. The album has eleven songs in total, including two English language songs. Furthermore, five songs were recorded and produced at Lionheart Studios in... |
Platinum |
| 2011 | Entasi | - |
CD Singles
| Year | Title | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Panta Mazi | - |
| 2008 | Always and Forever | - |