Dimitris Kontopoulos
Encyclopedia
Dimitris Kontopoulos is one of the most famous Greek
music composers known for his dance-pop
music.
, Greece
on November 9, 1971. After graduating from the Ziridis school, he continued his studies in film scoring at Berklee College of Music
in Boston
, Massachusetts
and the University of Southern California
in Los Angeles
, California
.
Kontopoulos is married and has two children and avoids public appearances, does not talk to the media often, and dislikes being recognized stating that celebrity life kills privacy.
when he wrote the song "Mia Stigmi" sung by Giannis Vardis. The song competed in the national final to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003
, but came in second place to Mando
and 'Never Let You Go
' which went to Eurovision. Though the entry did not win the national final, it topped the charts in Greece
for 11 weeks. Also in 2003 he started to compose the music for a movie of the famous Greek director Nikos Perakis. The song of the movie 'Meine mazi mou apopse' became a massive hit in Greece and reached the number one position in the charts. In 2004 he composes the song 'Esena mono' for famous Greek singer Katy Garmbi. The song became a massive hit not only in Greece but also in Turkey. A year after famous Turkish singer/presenter Seray Sever made a cover-version of the song with Turkish lyrics.
In 2005, Kontopoulos again wrote a song for Eurovision, but this time for Russia
. "Shadows" performed by Anastasia Stotskaya placed third in the Russian national final. In 2006 Kontopoulos composed the score of the popular television series 'Loufa kai Parallagi'. The song of the 'Pano stin trela mou' topped all charts in Greece and it won the first spot of the Annual National Airplay Chart.
In 2006, with Greece hosting the Eurovision Song Contest after Elena Paparizou
's victory with the song "My number one
", he once again tried to take part in the Greek final as a composer, this time for Anna Vissi
. That year, the Greek audience selected four songs including "Welcome to the party" written by Kontopoulos. At the national final
, the song came in second with Nikos Karvelas
's 'Everything
' going to the contest. Although the song didn't win the national selection it was chosen as the song that opened the semifinal of the Eurovision song contest in 2006.
In 2007 Kontopoulos composed the song 'Ola giro sou girizoun' for Sakis Rouvas
. The song becomes a massive club hit and it remained for more than a year in the top 50 of the National Airplay Chart. A cover version of the song was popular in Serbia.
Having taken a break in 2007, Kontopoulos returned with the dance pop
song 'Always and forever' sung by Kostas Martakis
. At the national final
, the song came in second but it entered for many years the playlist of international Abercrombie and Fitch stores. In 2008 he produced the song 'Shady Lady' composed by Phillipp Kirkorov and performed by Ani Lorak
who represented the Ukraine at the Eurovision song contest and placed second.
In 2009 Kontopoulos composed the song ' Kai se thelo' for Sakis Rouvas. The song, for one more time, becomes a massive hit topping all charts in Greece for more than 3 months. It remained at the first spot of the National Airplay chart for 8 weeks and the song became a cover in Bulgaria and Estonia. In 2009 Kontopoulos also produced and composed the album 'Solnce' of Ani Lorak. For the song 'Solnce' of the album he won a Russian Grammy award in the Golden Grammofon awards at the Kremlin. On July 19, 2008, it was announced that Dimitris Kontopoulos would be the composer for Sakis Rouvas
and Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
. He composed three songs: 'Out of control', 'Right on Time', and 'This is our night' which were voted on at the national final in February 2009.
The song titled 'This is our night' got the most votes and thus represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, which took place in Moscow. After the results of the jury and the tele-voting were announced, the song was placed seventh on the final scoreboard but if the results were based only on televoting (like in previous years) it would have ranked 5th. In 2010 he released a new song for Sakis Rouvas titled 'Spase ton hrono'. The song topped the Greek charts for months. In March 2010 Kontopoulos became a member of the jury of the Greek Idol show. In September 2010 Kontopoulos released the new song of Sakis Rouvas called 'Parafora'. The song became a massive club hit and it was in the number one spot of the National Airplay Chart for weeks. In December of the same year Kontopoulos released the ballad 'Einai stigmes', performed by Antonis Remos. Two days after its release the song topped the download chart and immediately became a hit. In February 2011 Sakis Rouvas released his new song 'Oi dyo mas' by Kontopoulos. In March the song topped the National Airplay chart becoming the 6th song of the duo Kontopoulos/Rouvas that topped the charts.
In September 2011, the three top Greek male artists released songs of Dimitris Kontopoulos: Antonis Remos released as a single the song "Tora Epizo" , Sakis Rouvas the song "Kane na mi sagapiso" and Michalis Hatzigiannis performed the song "Axizo" of the movie "Loufa kai parallagi: Seirines stun Steria".
Kontopoulos has to-date composed and produced 14 albums, out of which 8 have gone platinum and two of those twice platinum.
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....
music composers known for his dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
music.
Personal life
Dimitris Kontopoulos was born 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...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
on November 9, 1971. After graduating from the Ziridis school, he continued his studies in film scoring at Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Kontopoulos is married and has two children and avoids public appearances, does not talk to the media often, and dislikes being recognized stating that celebrity life kills privacy.
Career
Kontopoulos became active in the music industry in 1999–2000. In 1999 he released as a producer the album 'Etsi ime ego' by Iro. The singles of the album 'Etsi eime ego' and 'Tipota' topped the Greek charts making the producer famous nationally. In 2001 he released the second album of Iro as a producer and composer. The singles 'Apogeiosi', 'Etsi eine oi sxeseis' and 'Moni mou' also topped the charts. In 2002, he produced and composed the album of Giannis Vardis. The first single of the album 'Gia ena lepto' topped all charts and remained at the first spot of the National Airplay Chart for over 12 weeks. In 2003 he became involved with the Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
when he wrote the song "Mia Stigmi" sung by Giannis Vardis. The song competed in the national final to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003
Greece and Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi chose to host a National Selection with the winner being chosen by SMS voting , televoting and an "expert" jury . Mando was chosen with "Never Let You Go" and achieved 17th place in Eurovision.-National final:The National Final took place on February 26,...
, but came in second place to Mando
Mando (singer)
Mando , born Adamantia Stamatopoulou , is a popular Greek singer. She was born in Piraeus on April 13 and raised in Athens by her jazz pianist father, Nikos Stamatopoulos and a classic soprano opera mother Mary Apergi. From a young age she began to develop her talent and interest in music, and was...
and 'Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Mando song)
"Never Let You Go" was the Greek entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, performed by Mando entirely in English, the first time the Greek entry had not had any lyrics in Greek. The song was certified gold in Greece...
' which went to Eurovision. Though the entry did not win the national final, it topped the charts in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
for 11 weeks. Also in 2003 he started to compose the music for a movie of the famous Greek director Nikos Perakis. The song of the movie 'Meine mazi mou apopse' became a massive hit in Greece and reached the number one position in the charts. In 2004 he composes the song 'Esena mono' for famous Greek singer Katy Garmbi. The song became a massive hit not only in Greece but also in Turkey. A year after famous Turkish singer/presenter Seray Sever made a cover-version of the song with Turkish lyrics.
In 2005, Kontopoulos again wrote a song for Eurovision, but this time for Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. "Shadows" performed by Anastasia Stotskaya placed third in the Russian national final. In 2006 Kontopoulos composed the score of the popular television series 'Loufa kai Parallagi'. The song of the 'Pano stin trela mou' topped all charts in Greece and it won the first spot of the Annual National Airplay Chart.
In 2006, with Greece hosting the Eurovision Song Contest after Elena Paparizou
Elena Paparizou
Eleni "Elena" Paparizou , usually referred to abroad as Helena Paparizou, is a Greek-Swedish singer and occasional songwriter, who was born and raised in Sweden by Greek parents. She began her career there in 1999 as a member of the duo Antique, while she also worked briefly as a model for a...
's victory with the song "My number one
My Number One
As Greece had finished the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest in third place, the song was pre-qualified for the final in 2005. Thus, it was performed nineteenth on the night, following Croatia's Boris Novković and Lado with "Vukovi umiru sami" and preceding Russia's Natalia Podolskaya with "Nobody Hurt...
", he once again tried to take part in the Greek final as a composer, this time for Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi , known as Anna Vishy in Cypriot Greek, is a Greek-Cypriot recording artist and actress...
. That year, the Greek audience selected four songs including "Welcome to the party" written by Kontopoulos. At the national final
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Anna Vissi represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with her song "Everything". The Greek national broadcaster, Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi , internally selected Vissi to represent the country at the contest, which took place in Athens after Greece's win at the 2005 contest with the...
, the song came in second with Nikos Karvelas
Nikos Karvelas
Nikos Karvelas is a Greek songwriter, producer and singer. He has sold millions of records as a producer and is most recognizable for his three-decade-long collaboration with Anna Vissi, while some of his other well-known collaborations include Sakis Rouvas. Karvelas has released multiple...
's 'Everything
Everything (Anna Vissi song)
"Everything" was the song chosen by Greece as its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens.-At Eurovision:It finished in 9th position with 128 points...
' going to the contest. Although the song didn't win the national selection it was chosen as the song that opened the semifinal of the Eurovision song contest in 2006.
In 2007 Kontopoulos composed the song 'Ola giro sou girizoun' for 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...
. The song becomes a massive club hit and it remained for more than a year in the top 50 of the National Airplay Chart. A cover version of the song was popular in Serbia.
Having taken a break in 2007, Kontopoulos returned with the dance pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
song 'Always and forever' sung by Kostas Martakis
Kostas Martakis
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...
. 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...
, the song came in second but it entered for many years the playlist of international Abercrombie and Fitch stores. In 2008 he produced the song 'Shady Lady' composed by Phillipp Kirkorov and performed by Ani Lorak
Ani Lorak
Karolina Miroslavivna Kuiek, , popularly known as Ani Lorak , born 27 September 1978, Kitsman, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, is a famous Ukrainian pop singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and former UN Goodwill Ambassador...
who represented the Ukraine at the Eurovision song contest and placed second.
In 2009 Kontopoulos composed the song ' Kai se thelo' for Sakis Rouvas. The song, for one more time, becomes a massive hit topping all charts in Greece for more than 3 months. It remained at the first spot of the National Airplay chart for 8 weeks and the song became a cover in Bulgaria and Estonia. In 2009 Kontopoulos also produced and composed the album 'Solnce' of Ani Lorak. For the song 'Solnce' of the album he won a Russian Grammy award in the Golden Grammofon awards at the Kremlin. On July 19, 2008, it was announced that Dimitris Kontopoulos would be the composer for 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...
and Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "This Is Our Night" sung by Sakis Rouvas. The Greek national television broadcaster Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi announced that it had internally selected Rouvas to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest on July 15,...
. He composed three songs: 'Out of control', 'Right on Time', and 'This is our night' which were voted on at the national final in February 2009.
The song titled 'This is our night' got the most votes and thus represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, which took place in Moscow. After the results of the jury and the tele-voting were announced, the song was placed seventh on the final scoreboard but if the results were based only on televoting (like in previous years) it would have ranked 5th. In 2010 he released a new song for Sakis Rouvas titled 'Spase ton hrono'. The song topped the Greek charts for months. In March 2010 Kontopoulos became a member of the jury of the Greek Idol show. In September 2010 Kontopoulos released the new song of Sakis Rouvas called 'Parafora'. The song became a massive club hit and it was in the number one spot of the National Airplay Chart for weeks. In December of the same year Kontopoulos released the ballad 'Einai stigmes', performed by Antonis Remos. Two days after its release the song topped the download chart and immediately became a hit. In February 2011 Sakis Rouvas released his new song 'Oi dyo mas' by Kontopoulos. In March the song topped the National Airplay chart becoming the 6th song of the duo Kontopoulos/Rouvas that topped the charts.
In September 2011, the three top Greek male artists released songs of Dimitris Kontopoulos: Antonis Remos released as a single the song "Tora Epizo" , Sakis Rouvas the song "Kane na mi sagapiso" and Michalis Hatzigiannis performed the song "Axizo" of the movie "Loufa kai parallagi: Seirines stun Steria".
Kontopoulos has to-date composed and produced 14 albums, out of which 8 have gone platinum and two of those twice platinum.
Awards
- 2003 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Pop Album "Apogiosi", Iro
- 2006 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Pop Song "Pano Stin Trela Mou", Vanesa Adamopoulou
- 2006 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Soundtrack OST "Loufa & Paralagi"
- 2007 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Pop Song "Ola Gyro Sou Girizoun", Sakis RouvasSakis RouvasAnastasios "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...
Production discography
- "Etsi Eimai Ego" - Iro
- "Apogeiosi" - Iro
- "Koita Me Anteho" - Iro
- "Emmones IdeesEmmones Idees-Limited Edition Only: Disc 2:# "M'Eheis Arrostisei" # "Tha Meinei Metaxi Mas" # "Making of "Tha Meinei Metaxi Mas" #Extras* Discography* Biography* Photo Gallery* Greek/English Menu...
" (2003) - Katy GarbiKaty GarbiKaterina 'Katy' Garbi is a Greek singer active in Greece and Cyprus, with some popularity in Turkey. Her career has spanned over 20 years and is marked by several multi-platinum releases. Garbi was one of the most successful artists of the 1990s... - "Meine Mazi Mou ApopseMeine Mazi Mou ApopseMine Mazi Mou Apopse is an album released by popular Greek singer, Irini Merkouri. It was released in Greece in June 2003 by Sony Music Greece.-Track listing:# "Ematha Na Zo Horis Esena" – 3:49# "Mine Mazi Mou Apopse" – 3:27...
" (2003) - Irini Merkouri - "I Liza Kai I Alli" - Kostas Doxas
- "Pes Mou Ti Niotheis" - Giannis Vardis
- "Yalina Oneira" - Aspa Tsina
- "Thelo Na Matho" - Antonis Vardis
- "Koita Me" (2002) - Giorgos MazonakisGiorgos MazonakisGiorgos 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...
- "Argises" - Aleka Kanellidou
- "Krifo Fili" (2002) - Michalis HatzigiannisMichalis HatzigiannisMichael Hatzigiannis is a popular Greek Cypriot recording artist. From 2000 to 2009, Hatzigiannis has received over 30 certifications in Greece alone, making him one of most successful artists of the decade. Hatzigiannis is also known for representing Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998...
- "Dekapentavgoustos" - Michalis Delta
- "Marina Handri" - Marina Handri
- "Tha Skisi I Omada" (2004) - All Stars
- "Schedon Pote" - Apostolia ZoiApostolia ZoiApostolia Zoi is a popular Greek singer who was born in Volos, Greece. She has released four studio albums.-Early life:At the age of 14, Apostolia moved to Thessaloniki to pursue her interest in diving and swimming where she graduating from the Gymnastics Academy. One night while out on the town...
- Iparhi Agapi EdoIparhi Agapi EdoIparhi Agapi Edo is the eleventh studio album by Greek singer Sakis Rouvas. It was first released in Greece on December 7, 2006 by Minos EMI. Iparhi Agapi Edo includes 15 tracks including a ballad called "Mikros Titanikos" that was written especially for Rouvas by Yiannis Parios...
(2006) - Sakis RouvasSakis RouvasAnastasios "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... - This Is My LiveThis Is My LiveThis Is My Live is the name of the second live album by Greek singer Sakis Rouvas, released on December 12, 2007 in Greece and Cyprus by Minos EMI. The album was recorded on September 9, 2007 at Rouvas' sold-out show at Lycabetus Theatre with an audience of 7,000. The concert was the final stop on...
(2007) - Sakis Rouvas - IrthesIrthes-This Is Our Night :-Singles:"+ Se Thelo""Irthes""This Is Our Night"'"Ksehna To Prin Kai To Meta"-Release history:-Promotion:...
(2008) - Sakis Rouvas - SolntseSolntse (Ani Lorak album)Solntse is Ukrainian singer Ani Lorak eleventh studio album. The album features Lorak's Eurovision Song Contest 2008 entry Shady Lady as well as its Russian counterpart "С неба в небо"...
(2009) - Ani Lorak - Giro Apo T'OneiroGiro Apo T'OneiroGiro Apo T' Oneiro is the fourth Greek-language studio album and fifth studio album overall by Greek singer Elena Paparizou, released on 29 March 2010 in Greece and Cyprus by Sony Music Greece...
- Elena Paparizou - ParaforaParaforaParafora is the 13th studio album by Greek recording artist Sakis Rouvas and 15th album overall. It was released by Minos EMI in Greece and Cyprus on 14 December 2010 and distributed digitally ten days later to all Eurozone countries and elsewhere...
- Sakis Rouvas
Movies
- "I Liza kai i alli"
- "Vitsia gynaikon"
- "Dekapentaugoustos"
- "E.D.E.M."
- "Apoliti Stigmi"
- "Giro Giro Oloi"
- "Money Go Round"
- "The Midnight Kicker"
- "How To Escape"
- "Christmas Gift"
- "Trapped"
- "Loufa kai paralagi, sirines sto Aigaio"
- "Psyhraimia"
Theatre
- "Kammena Vourla"
- Ta paidia stin exousia"
- "Oliki Eklipsi"
- Ta dakria tis Kleitemnistras"
- "Franky and Johnny"
Commercial
- Bold & Ogilvy
- Leousi
- Status
- AudioVisual
- Kino
- Stefi
- Anosi
- Red Code
- Ekso
- Max
- Foss
- Comrade
- Modiano
- Studio ATA
- Upstream
External links
- http://www.voxstudios.gr Official Website of the Studio
- Dimitris Kontopoulos on TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
- Dimitris Kontopoulos on ilike.com