Maro Litra ( el, Μάρω Λύτρα), born as Maria Litra (} on 3 November 1970 in

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...

Quebec Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...

), is a

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

singer. She studied music at ''McGill University Conservatory of Music''.

Biography

She was born in

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

on 3 November 1970 by Greek parents from

Lefkada Lefkada ( el, Λευκάδα, ''Lefkáda'', ), also known as Lefkas or Leukas ( Ancient Greek and Katharevousa: Λευκάς, ''Leukás'', modern pronunciation ''Lefkás'') and Leucadia, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of G ...

and

Missolonghi Missolonghi or Messolonghi ( el, Μεσολόγγι, ) is a municipality of 34,416 people (according to the 2011 census) in western Greece. The town is the capital of Aetolia-Acarnania regional unit, and the seat of the municipality of Iera Polis ...

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...

. She studied music at ''McGill University Conservatory of Music''. For many years she worked as

singer Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or withou ...

in Montreal's nightclubs and restaurants. She began her career after she was competing in the second edition of the Greek talent show

Fame Story Fame Story was a Greece, Greek reality TV show that was a licensed version of Endemol's Star Academy on the ANT1 network. It has been one of the most successful Greek TV shows of recent years. The contestants gave a weekly performance in a 2½&nd ...

. She has released 2 albums, several singles and she has won 2 awards in

MAD Video Music Awards The MAD Video Music Awards is a Greek award show presented by the MAD TV. The awards honor the year's biggest achievements in music, voted by the viewers of Mad television. Winners receive an authentic Mad designed award with the graphics of that ...

.She has collaborated with some important artists in

Nikos Vertis Nikolaos Arvanitidis (Greek: Νικόλαος Αρβανιτίδης; 21 August 1976), better known by his stage name Nikos Vertis (Greek: Νίκος Βέρτης) is a popular Greek singer. He was born in Gorinchem, Netherlands and his origin is ...

Stamatis Gonidis Stamatis ( el, Σταμάτης, links=no) is a given name and surname of Greek origin, a diminutive of Stamatios (Σταμάτιος). Notable people with the name Stamatis include: Given name *Stamatis Benas (born 1985), Greek basketball player ...

Natasa Theodoridou Natasa Theodoridou ( el, Νατάσα Θεοδωρίδου; born October 24, 1970 in Thessaloniki) is a Greek singer. She is the only female Greek artist to have her first three albums achieve platinum status. She has been certified for a total ...

Peggy Zina Panagiota-Calliope Chrysicopoulou ( el, Παναγιώτα-Καλλιόπη Χρυσικοπούλου; born 8 March 1975), known professionally as Peggy Zina ( el, Πέγκυ Ζήνα), is a Greek singer. She made her recording debut in 1995 wi ...

Notis Sfakianakis Panagiotis "Notis" Sfakianakis ( el, Νότης Σφακιανάκης; born 2 November 1959) is a Greek singer of folk music, and is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career i ...

Vasilis Karras Vasilis Karras ( el, Βασίλης Καρράς; born Vasilis Kesoglidis on 12 November 1953) is a Greek folk singer. Biography Karras was born in Kokkinohori, near Kavala, Greece. At the age of 10, his family moved to Thessaloniki. Also aro ...

, Antypas,

Giorgos Tsalikis Giorgos Tsalikis (Γιώργος Τσαλίκης, born 25 October 1975) is a Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the I ...

, Nikos Makropoulos,

Nikos Oikonomopoulos Nikolaos "Nikos" Oikonomopoulos ( el, Νικόλαος Νίκος Οικονομόπουλος, ; born 30 June 1984)Peoplegreece. Retrieved on January 15, 2016 is a Greek singer. He appeared on the Greek talent show ''Dream Show - The Music 2'', ...

, Julie Massino, Kostas Karafotis, Dakis.

Career

2000-2001: Early years

In 2000 she met the Greek singer

Giorgos Alkaios Giorgos Alkaios (Greek: Γιώργος Αλκαίος; born 24 December 1971) is a Greek recording artist. His career began in 1989 after appearing on a Greek reality show. Following a brief period of stage acting, Alkaios dedicated himself to m ...

, who offered her to work with him at a nightclub in Greece. On 24 April 2001 she released her first CD-Single ''Kiss My Remix'' by Kewl Records, which includes six covers of Greek hits: ''«Akros Tolmiro» (

Despina Vandi Despina Vandi - ΣΤΑ 'ΔΩΣΑ ΟΛΑΑ ( el, Δέσποινα Βανδή, ), born as Despina Malea () on 22 July 1969, is a Greek singer. Born in Tübingen near Stuttgart, Germany, Vandi's family returned to Kavala, Greece when she was six ye ...

)'', ''«Sto Dromo Ola Petamena» (

Evridiki Evridiki Theokleous ( el, Ευρυδίκη Θεοκλέους, ; born 25 February 1968), known professionally as simply Evridiki, is a Greek-Cypriot rock, pop, and electropop singer. She is best known in Europe for representing her home count ...

)'', ''«To Allo Miso» (

)'', ''«Pes Mou Ti Sou Efteksa» (

)'', ''«Spania» (

)'' and ''«Simadi Sto Lemo» (

)''.

2004: Fame Story & Collaboration with Julie Massino

In 2004 she was competing in the second edition of the Greek talent show

and she managed to reach the semifinals. When she left the talent show, she participated in Julie Massino's album ''«I'm In Love»'' with a duet called ''«Oso Girizi I Gi»'' which was certified gold.

2005-2006: Mikres Amarties

In 2005, Maro Litra signs a contract with

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 During its first five years of operation under the control of George Levendis, Heaven Music wa ...

and released her first album ''Mikres Amarties'' (Small Sins). The album was distinguished by the first single ''"Iparhi Alli"'' as long as by the songs ''"Thymisou"'', ''"File"'' and her duet ''"Thelo Na Sou Po"'' (I Want To Tell You) with Kostas Karafotis which included in the reissue of her album. Two songs ''"Ma Den Boro Na Se Ksehaso"'' and ''"Mi Me Kitas"'' were written by

Natalia Germanou Natalia Germanou ( el, Ναταλία Γερμανού; born 22 June 1965 ) is a Greek songwriter, television hostess, radio producer and journalist. Germanou has written lyrics for many popular singers such as Anna Vissi, Despina Vandi, Mihal ...

. In the spring of 2005, Litra started performing at club «Posidonio» with

. For the winter season of 2005–2006, she started her second round of performances at club «Posidonio». At the ''

Mad Video Music Awards The MAD Video Music Awards is a Greek award show presented by the MAD TV. The awards honor the year's biggest achievements in music, voted by the viewers of Mad television. Winners receive an authentic Mad designed award with the graphics of that ...

'' she was nominated as ''«best debut artist»'' with her song ''Iparhi Alli'' and she performed live with

Constantinos Christoforou Constantinos Christophorou (Κωνσταντίνος Χριστοφόρου, born in Limassol, Cyprus on 25 April 1977) is a Greek-Cypriot singer. He represented Cyprus in Eurovision Song Contest as a solo singer with " Mono Yia Mas" (1996) a ...

a mashup of the hits ''"Crazy In Love / Ain't Nobody"''. On 14 June 2006 Maro Litra appeared on

and performed the song ''"Baila Morena"'' with

Christos Dantis Christos Dantis ( el, Χρήστος Δάντης; born Christos Vlahakis, 26 September 1966), is a Greek multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, lyricist, and record producer best known for his hits such as "To Palio Mou Palto" and "Ena Tra ...

. For the winter season 2006-2007 she performed at «Votanikos» with

and Giorgos Lianos.

2007: I Mihani Tou Hronou (Phoebus era)

In 2007, Maro Litra collaborated with the popular songwriter

Phoebus Apollo, grc, Ἀπόλλωνος, Apóllōnos, label=genitive , ; , grc-dor, Ἀπέλλων, Apéllōn, ; grc, Ἀπείλων, Apeílōn, label=Arcadocypriot Greek, ; grc-aeo, Ἄπλουν, Áploun, la, Apollō, la, Apollinis, label= ...

. He wrote 4 songs of Litra's next album, ''I Mihani Tou Hronou'' (The Time Machine) which includes 11 new tracks. The album was distinguished by the first single ''"I Mihani Tou Hronou"'' as long as by the songs ''"Metaniosa"'', ''"Gyrizo"'', ''"Ola Ki Ola"'' written by Phoebus, ''"Ke Ti Katalaveno"'' and ''"Gyalia Spasmena"''. The duet ''"Ine Trela"'' with Giorgos Lianos were written by

for their performances at «Votanikos». She performed the track ''"Summer Wine"'' with

Kostas Martakis Kostas Martakis ( el, Κώστας Μαρτάκης; born 25 May 1984) ERT. Retrieved on February 19, 2008 is a Greek singer, model, television host and actor, who rose to fame after appearing on Greek talent show ''Dream Show'' aired by Alpha TV ...

on 25 June 2007 at the

, where she won the category "Sexy Video Clip" with the music video ''"I Mihani Tou Hronou"''. For the summer season she performed at «Thea» with Nikos Makropoulos and

. For the winter season 2007-2008 she performed at «FIX»,

Thessaloniki Thessaloniki (; el, Θεσσαλονίκη, , also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece, with over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area, and the capi ...

with

and Goin' Through.

2008-2009: Taxidiotes Psihis & Elpizo Pia Se Mena

In 2008, she collaborated with the band ''Taxidiotes Psihis'' for the duet ''"De Theli Logo I Kardia N' Agapa"'', written by Pantelis Makris. On March of 2009 she released her new digital single with

''Kaneis Lathos'' (feat. TNS), written by Konstantinos Pantzis. It was the first single of her upcoming album ''Elpizo Pia Se Mena'', but the release was canceled. Some years later, the self titled ''"Elpizo Pia Se Mena"'' was leaked on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

. On 24 June 2009 she performed live at the

the song ''"It's Not Right (Tha Kano To Sosto)"'' and she won the category "Best Duet/Featuring" with ''"Kaneis Lathos"''. In the autumn of 2009, Litra started performing at club «FIX»,

with

& Dionysis Makris.

2010: Collaboration with Toni Cottura & move to "Sony Music"

In 2010, Litra signs a contract with

Sony Music Entertainment Sony Music Entertainment (SME), also known as simply Sony Music, is an American multinational music company. Being owned by the parent conglomerate Sony Group Corporation, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is owned by Sony Entertainment ...

and the producer

Toni Cottura Toni Cottura (born 7 June 1971), better known by his stage name Smooth T., is an Italian-born German Eurodance and hip hop producer and rapper. Musical career He started his career in 1988 as a hip hop producer with David Fascher and later work ...

asks her to collaborate on some new songs. Their first single ''"Elevator Love"'' was released in two versions (English & Greek) by Sony Music Entertainment. At the ''

'' she was nominated as ''«Sexy Video Clip»'' with the ''Elevator Love''. Her second single with Cottura ''"Unut Onu / Miss You Like Crazy"'' was a duet with the Turkish singer ''İsmi Sina''. On 7 May 2010 she released a new cover of the classical song of

Vicky Leandros Vasiliki Papathanasiou ( el, Βασιλική Παπαθανασίου; born 23 August 1949), generally known as Vicky Leandros ( el, Βίκυ Λέανδρος, links=no), is a Greek singer living in Germany. She is the daughter of singer, music ...

''"To Mistiko Sou"'' (Something's Got a Hold of My Heart). In November 2010 she released a new digital single with Cobalt Music ''"Ora Na Pigaineis"'' written by Konstantinos Pantzis & Posidonas Giannopoulos. For the winter season 2010-2011 she performed at «EDO Athens Club Restaurant» with Christos Kiprianidis & Giorgos Christou.

2011: Collaboration with Notis Sfakianakis & Return to Canada

In 2011 she released her new digital single ''"Ise Oti Agapao"'' written by Andreas Lambrou. On 29 April 2011 Litra collaborated with

at «Pili Aksiou» in Thessaloniki. For the summer season she was on tour with the rapper BO. In September 2011 she decided to move back to Canada, because of Greece's economic crisis.

2016: Ti Den Katalavenis & Makria Kai Agapimeni

On May of 2016, Litra decided to make a "comeback" with two new songs written by Stavros Zacharias and Nikos Tassiopoulos, and released from Smile Records. The first digital single ''"Ti Den Katalavenis"'' released on 19 May 2016. The second single ''"Makria Ke Agapimeni"'' released on 18 July 2016. After a year, she released a new summer remix of her single ''"Makria Ke Agapimeni"'', on 17 May 2017.

2020: Soon & Gone

In 2020, Litra collaborated with the band ''"The Far Removed"'' (Tony Marcello & Dionyssios Roussianos) and she released a new digital single called ''"Soon"''. In November 2020 she released by Real Music her new pop dance single ''"Gone"'' written by ''"The Far Removed"''.

2021: Greece

In 2021 she signs a contract with

/ 314 Records and she released her new single and music video ''"Greece"'' written by ''"The Far Removed"''.

References

External links

Maro Litra in gossip-tv.gr
{{DEFAULTSORT:Litra, Maro 1970 births Living people 21st-century Greek women singers Singers from Montreal 21st-century Canadian women singers