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Michalis Hatzigiannis (
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 ...
: Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης; born 5 November 1978) is a
Greek-Cypriot Greek Cypriots or Cypriot Greeks ( el, Ελληνοκύπριοι, Ellinokýprioi, tr, Kıbrıs Rumları) are the ethnic Greek population of Cyprus, forming the island's largest ethnolinguistic community. According to the 2011 census, 659,115 r ...
singer, musician, and record producer. From 2000 to 2010, he received over 30 sales certifications in Greece, making him one of the most successful artists of the decade. He is also known for representing
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest Cyprus has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 38 times since making its debut in 1981. Cyprus' first entry was the group Island, who finished sixth. The country's best result in the contest is a second-place finish with Eleni Foureira ...
in
1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently s ...
. In 2010, he released his first English-language album. In 2010, ''
Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also r ...
'' listed him as the 22nd most powerful and influential celebrity in Greece and the fifth highest-ranked singer.


Early life

Hatzigiannis was born in
Nicosia Nicosia ( ; el, Λευκωσία, Lefkosía ; tr, Lefkoşa ; hy, Նիկոսիա, romanized: ''Nikosia''; Cypriot Arabic: Nikusiya) is the largest city, capital, and seat of government of Cyprus. It is located near the centre of the Mesaori ...
on 5 November 1978. He is a graduate of the Cyprus Music Academy at
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
's
Royal Academy of Music The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, England, is the oldest conservatoire in the UK, founded in 1822 by John Fane and Nicolas-Charles Bochsa. It received its royal charter in 1830 from King George IV with the support of the first Duke ...
, with a degree in piano, guitar, and music theory.


Musical career


1996–2002: Beginnings, Eurovision Song Contest, and first albums

When Hatzigiannis was 18, he participated in a song contest in Cyprus, where he won the first prize. He later participated in the
Laiki Bank Cyprus Popular Bank (from 2006 to 2011 known as Marfin Popular Bank) was the second-largest banking group in Cyprus behind the Bank of Cyprus until it was 'shuttered' in March 2013 and split into two parts. The 'good' Cypriot part was merged i ...
Song Contest with the song "I Diki Mou Istoria", written by Andreas Gerolemou, and won the first prize. In 1995, he participated in the Cypriot National Final for the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 with two songs, "Filise Me" (written by Andreas Gerolemou) and "To Gramma" (written by Leonidas Malenis). The first song came in 3rd place and the latter in second place. That year Alex Panagi won the preselection with the song "Sti Fotia". Michalis started his career in Cyprus with three records that all went platinum: "Senario", "O Mihalis Hatzigiannis Tragouda Doro Georgiadi" and "Epafi". He also participated in a musical production in Cyprus called "Pygmalion" in addition to also performing a number of concerts in major city tour in Cyprus titled "Mixalis Xatzigiannis, Andreas Gerolemou". In May
1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently s ...
, he represented Cyprus in the
Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...
. He performed the song "Γένεσις" (Genesis), a composition of his own and finished 11th. Upon arriving in
Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates a ...
,
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 wi ...
he collaborated with the composer Giorgos Hatzinasios and with poet and lyricist Michalis Bourboulis to create the CD single "Aggigma Psychis" (Touch of soul) which was released in December 1998 by BMG Greece. The album contained songs to the
ANT1 Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece. The alternate spelling is wordplay in Greek; ''ena'' (ένα) is the Greek number ''1'' (one), thus ''ANT1'' is pronounced the same as ''Antenna'' (Αντέννα). It laun ...
TV series bearing the same title, including the hit singles "Aggigma Psychis" and "To Soma pou Zitas" (The body you seek). The album was certified platinum. In March 2000, Hatzigiannis released his debut album in Greece "Paraxeni Giorti" (Odd Celebration). Many renowned composers and lyricists collaborated for this album and produced some of the biggest hits of that year. The song "Mono Sta Onira" (Only in Dreams) stayed at the top of the Greek radio charts for several weeks. Two other songs from the album, title track "Paraxeni Giorti" and "Ke Tha Hatho" had similar success. The album became double-platinum and was a career landmark for the young singer-songwriter in the Greek music scene. In November, he started to perform live shows in Athens. Early in 2001 he released the CD single "Den Eho Hrono" (I have no time). It soon topped the charts and went platinum. In the summer, he toured Greece for the first time. Later that year he appeared live with Greek singer
Haris Alexiou Haris Alexiou ( el, Χάρις Αλεξίου, ; born 27 December 1950 in Thebes, Greece as Hariklia Roupaka, el, Χαρίκλεια Ρουπάκα, ) is a Greek singer. She is considered one of the most popular singers in Greece and has been co ...
to great reviews. In the spring of 2002 he released his second solo album "Krifo Fili" (Secret kiss), which has settled at 3× platinum. This album contains a series of big hits such as "Eisai Edo" (You are here), "To S' Agapo" (The "I love you"), "Horis Anapnoi" (Breathless), "I Ekdromi" (The excursion), and "Kapnos" .This album established him as one of the most successful singer-songwriters and promising performers in the Greek music scene. In the summer of 2002 he toured Greece again with even greater success. And in winter he shared the same stage with another Greek music icon, singer Dimitra Galani. Michalis Hatzigiannis sang at the grand opening at Souvlaki Bar in Centropolis, Laval.


2003–2005: "Monos Mou" and ''Akatallili Skini''

In 2003, he released the 3× platinum five song EP "Monos Mou" (By myself). The single "An Mou Tilefonouses" (If You'd Called) became a hit and the demand for airplay kept growing for months. The song remains one of the most popular Greek ballads of late. In the summer he toured Greece, performing 63 sold-out shows. He received three awards from the
IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a non-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland and founded in Italy in 1 ...
's annual Greek Arion Awards in 2003, followed by another four awards in 2004, including the award for ''Best Male Performer of the Year''. In April 2004, he released his third solo album, ''Akatallili Skini'' (Unsuitable scene), which increased his popularity in the Greek music scene. On 30 April 2004, he represented Cyprus at the official
EU enlargement The European Union (EU) has expanded a number of times throughout its history by way of the accession of new member states to the Union. To join the EU, a state needs to fulfil economic and political conditions called the Copenhagen criteria ( ...
ceremony which took place in
Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officiall ...
to mark the accession of ten new countries into the
European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are located primarily in Europe, Europe. The union has a total area of ...
. In the summer of 2004, he toured Greece and sang at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens. In winter he made about 100 appearances in
Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates a ...
and
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 metropolitan area, and the capital of the geographic region of ...
with
Paschalis Terzis Paschalis Terzis ( el, Πασχάλης Τερζής; born 24 April 1949) is a popular Greek singer. Biography Terzis was born in Pylaia, a suburb of Thessaloniki. In his early teens, he began to sing with friends, some of whom helped him in his ...
. In the summer of 2005, he toured Greece once again ending in September at Lycabettus Theatre,
Mount Lycabettus Mount Lycabettus (), also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos ( el, Λυκαβηττός, ), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Cen ...
, Athens with two sold out, recorded, concerts. In October he travelled to Australia for the first time and had one concert in Malbourne. In 3 November he started performing with Antonis Remos, at Athinon Arena in Athens until 26 March 2006.


2006–2008: ''Filoi Kai Ekthri'' and ''7''

In March 2006 he released his first live album taken from the recorded concerts in
Lycabettus Mount Lycabettus (), also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos ( el, Λυκαβηττός, ), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Cen ...
with three new songs "De Fevgo" (I'm not leaving),
Den Eimai Edo Gia Kanena
(I'm not here for anyone) and "Miazoume" (We're alike), all becoming hits. The live album also contained a DVD with photographs of scenes from the concerts and backstage. Later in April, he toured Canada and the US with
George Dalaras George Dalaras ( Γιώργος Νταλάρας, 29 September 1949) is a Greek musician and singer. He is one of the most prominent figures of Greek musical culture. In October 2006, he was selected as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Ag ...
and in May he went to Thessaloniki where he appeared with
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 ...
. In the summer he toured Greece performing 50 sold-out concerts. In August he released a single, "Ola I Tipota" (All or nothing). In December 2006 he released his fourth studio album, "Filoi Kai Ehthri" (Friends and foes) with some many hit singles, including "Na Eisai Ekei" (To be there), "Aisthimata" (Feelings), "Heria Psila" (Hands High). On 15 December he began performing at Vox music hall in Athens. In March 2007 he collaborated with German Rock band, Reamonn and released a cover duet with the band of their hit " Tonight-Simera", a half English and half Greek lyric version of the song with Greek lyrics by Eleana Vrahali. The song is included in Reamonn's re-release of " Wish" and in "Filoi Kai Ehthri". Later in June he released the CD single "Pio Poli" (Much More), including the title track and a remix by Passion, the duet "Tonight" and "Heria Psila" (Moscow Electromix). He also embarked on another summer tour in Greece, after his appearances in Vox ending in May. In October and November he toured internationally by staging concerts in Germany,
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
and
Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to ...
. In December he released his second live album, "Zontana Sto Likavitto" (Live at
Lycabettus Mount Lycabettus (), also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos ( el, Λυκαβηττός, ), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Cen ...
) which went platinum in the first week of release. He also commenced another winter season at Vox, this time alongside Glykeria. Michalis Hatzigiannis was scheduled to tour North America in May 2008 with performances in various cities throughout the United States and Canada, but was unable to complete the whole tour due to problems with the US Government and the concert promoters ''Asteria Productions'' and ''Greek Chicago''. However, concerts in Chicago, Montreal, New York and Toronto went underway as scheduled. On 30 September 2008, Hatzigiannis released a CD single titled "Emeis I Dio San Ena" (Us two as one) and served as a lead single for the upcoming album. The single was once again used as part of the new OTE summer campaign, this time in tribute to pianist Madra Mandicencio, an inspiration from Hatzigiannis' childhood. Hatztigiannis released his seventh studio album titled '' 7'' on 29 October 2008. The album reached seven times Platinum.


2009–present: ''Kolaz'', ''Mihalis'', ''To Kalytero Psema'', ''Tharros I Alitheia'' ''I Agapi Dinamoni''

In November 2009, '' 7'' was included as a bonus when purchasing the newspaper ''Real News''. This version of the album included a new bonus song titled "Kati Leipi" (Something is missing), which was later released to radio stations. In late November 2009, Hatzigiannis will release his 8th studio album titled '' Kolaz'' (collage). The album will feature covers of popular songs by Mimmis Plesas, Marios Tokas, and Antonis Vardis to name a few. The first single from the album will be titled "Anna" and is a cover of a Kostas Karalis song. The album was later certified 4× platinum. In mid-2009, Hatzigiannis recorded his first English single titled "More Than Beautiful" in Germany under an affiliation with We Love Music/
Universal Music Germany Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, Dutch law. UMG's cor ...
. The single premiered on radio stations in Greece on Love Radio on 16 September 2009. A music video was shot in
Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitu ...
. Due to his contractual obligations in Greece, including the promotion of ''Kolaz'', his affairs in Germany were then put on hold. A two track CD-Single of "More Than Beautiful" was planned to be released on 2 April 2010, although Hatzigiannis later shifted focus and decided against the release. In July 2010, Hatzigiannis released "Everyone Dance", the English version of the Greek hit "Heria Psila" with English lyrics by
Rea Garvey Raymond Michael Garvey (born 3 May 1973) is an Irish singer, songwriter and guitarist now residing in Germany. In 1998, he formed the band Reamonn. Over the 11 years that Garvey was their frontman, they saw chart-topping success in Europe, wit ...
of Reamonn. A video was also shot in the Aegean, and released on 19 July 2010. On 30 July 2010, Hatzigannis released "Everyone Dance" as a two track CD-Single in Germany. The single is to be followed up with an English studio album titled '' Mihalis'' in Germany, to be released on 13 August 2010. The
iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mu ...
release of the album will also include an exclusive bonus song titled "Kiss on the Breeze". In December 2010, Hatzigiannis released the studio album ''To Kalitero Psema'' (The best lie). The album was certified 4x Platium. Next album was released in December 2011 titled ''Tharros I Alitheia'' (Truth or dare). The album released 4 singles and was certified Platinum. His latest album is ''I Agapi Dinamoni'' (Love Gets Stronger) featuring 11 tracks including the no1 singles ''Se Ena Tiho'' and ''I Agapi Dinamoni'' and 3 more hit singles ''Mesa Sou Vriskome'', ''Kati Dinato'' and ''Poios Ime Ego''. The album was certified Platinum in Greece.


Personal life

From 1994 to the beginning of 2000, Hatzigiannis was in a relationship with his schoolmate Diamanto Nikivelou. From 2003 to 2009, he was in a relationship with Greek-Cypriot singer
Despina Olympiou Despina Olympiou ( Greek: Δέσποινα Ολυμπίου, ; born 17 October 1975), also known as Dena Olympiou, is a Greek-Cypriot singer, famous in her homeland as well as in Greece. She represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 20 ...
. In June 2010, Hatzigiannis was in a relationship with Greek actress and TV hostess
Zeta Makripoulia Zeta Makripoulia ( Greek: Ζέτα Μακρυπούλια; born 31 July 1978) is a Greek actress, TV hostess and former model. Career Makripoulia graduated from Vasilis Diamantopoulos' Drama School in 1994, while she has also attended acting cl ...
and ended up in 2021.


Discography

* Paraxeni Giorti (2000) * Krifo Fili (2002) * Akatallili Skini (2004) * Filoi Kai Ehthroi (2006) * 7 (2008) * Kolaz (2009) * Mihalis (2010) * To Kalitero Psema (2010) * Tharros I Alitheia (2011) * I Agapi Dinamonei (2013) * Erotas Agathi (2017) * Da Capo - Apo Tin Archi (2018) * Unplugged (2020) * Deka Opsis Tis Agapis (2022)


Videography


Tours


Awards


References


External links


Fan Page Website

MySpace

Eurovision profile

Polish Forum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hatzigiannis, Michalis 1978 births Living people Arion Music Awards winners Cypriot composers Male composers Eurovision Song Contest entrants for Cyprus Cypriot guitarists 21st-century Cypriot male singers Cypriot pianists Cypriot pop singers Cypriot male singer-songwriters Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 1998 MAD Video Music Awards winners People from Nicosia Universal Music Greece artists Male pianists 21st-century pianists 21st-century guitarists 20th-century Cypriot male singers