|
|
 Despina Vandi (born Despina Malea, 22 July 1969, near Stuttgart-Tübingen, Southern Germany) is a Greek female singer who has sold almost one million records in Greece alone. She has been dubbed in interviews and publications of her country as 'the ultimate pop star' and the 'only Greek Star capable of an international career'. Despina has worked with all the big-namers of Greek contemporary pop music and her shows (mainly at Rex Music Theater) are heralded by the press as 'the best show in town'. She is the mother to little Melina, the product of her and husband Demis Nikolaidis, ex-international soccer player and current President of AEK soccer club.
Demis Nikolaidis in his new role as the president of AEK. Personal life Although born in Germany, Vandi's family was from Kavala, Greece, where she and her family moved when she was six years old. As a result, she did not learn German, unlike the rest of her family. She went on to study psychology, philosophy, and education at the University of Thessaloniki.. Career Despina Vandi has released many albums throughout Greece and some albums have been distributed internationally. Despina Vandi started her career in 1994 after taking singing and phonetics courses. 1994-2002 Despina Vandi's first album was released in 1994 under the Minos EMI label. The album's name was Gela Mou which translates to "Smile at Me". This album was distinguished by her duet To Adieksodo (No Way Out) written by Vassilis Karras, with Giannis Parios, a very popular singer at the time. In 1996, Despina Vandi released her next album, Esena Perimeno, meaning "I am waiting for you". Hits on this album include Esena Perimeno, Den Pethainei I Agapi, and Efiges songs written by her friend and now musical director Tony Kontaxakis. 1997 proved to be a big year for Despina Vandi as she teamed up with popular songwriter Phoebus. Phoebus wrote the songs of Despina Vandi's next album, Deka Entoles (Ten Commandments). This album was awarded platinum status in Greece. Despina Vandi's partnership with Phoebus would turn out to be a very successful one for many years to come. Despina Vandi's next album Profities (Propecies) was released in 1999 and went gold status the day of its release. It eventually became a triple platinum album in Greece. In 2000, Despina Vandi released the single Ypofero meaning "I suffer". The single went six-times platinum and was awarded as being the most successful single of all time in Greece, by Richard Branson of Virgin. Despina Vandi and Phoebus decided to sign with Heaven Music, a new break-out record label in 2001. Despina Vandi's next album Gia (2001), meaning "Hi" was a double album including 21 new songs. The album went quadruple platinum in only 11 days. Many of the songs on the album became hits not only Greece, but also in neighboring countries such as Turkey and Lebanon. In 2002 Despina was awarded as World's best-selling Greek Artist at the World Music Awards of 2002. It was the first time that this award was given to Greek artist who actually lives and works in Greece. International career In 2003 she embarked on an international career, something Greek performers have had little success in accomplishing. Her first three international singles, Gia (2003), Opa Opa (2004) and Come Along Now (2005) entered the charts around the world, something that had not been achieved for decades by a Greek artist. Her first internationally-distributed albums are named after the songs Gia and Come Along Now. Her work has been remixed by celebrated global DJs and producers, such as Armand Van Helden, Milk & Sugar, Nick Skitz, Roger Sanchez, Junior Vasquez, Pete Tong, Bass Bumpers, DJ Gregory, Level K, XTM, Minimal Chic and Highpass amongst others. Her records Gia and Opa Opa have been Records of The Week on BBC Radio 1's dance shows. Despina Vandi has also won many international awards.
"Gia" Charts Chart Peak position US Billboard Club Dance Airplay 1 "Opa Opa" Charts Chart Peak position Greece IFPI Top 50 Singles 1 Discography
The CD album cover of her North American offering, Come Along Now.
The CD Single album cover of her latest double platinum release, Kalanta. Studio Albums
CD-Singles
Compilations and Miscellaneous
Local sales (not counting international sales) total approximately 950,000 in eleven years. Links
 |
|
||||||||||||||
