Kostas Martakis

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Kostas Martakis
Κώστας Μαρτάκης


Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Born = birth date and age|1984|5|25
Died =
Origin = Athens, Greece
Genre = Modern Laika, Pop, Pop-Rock, Dance
Years_active = 2006-Present
Label = Sony BMG (2006-Present)
URL =

Kostas Martakis ( _el. Κώστας Μαρτάκης) (born May 25, 1984) [ cite web | title = ΒΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟ | url = http://eurovision.ert.gr/kostas-martakis.htm ERT. Retrieved on February 19, 2008] is a popular up coming Greek singer who was born in Athens, Greece. He is signed to Sony BMG Greece and, as of recently, Sony BMG Russia.

Career

Martakis first gained fame on the reality talent show "Dream Show". Before that, he also did some modeling work, played basket ball where he won gold medals, as well as majored as a specialist in computer technologies at the "American College" in Athens, 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 "Panta Mazi" (Always Together) which produced a string of hits. Famed manager Ilias Psinakis also noticed him of "Dream Show", and proposed to Martakis to become his manager.

By winter 2006, Martakis was singing with singers Despina Vandi and Giorgos Mazonakis at REX night club, while in summer 2007 he starting singing with Kelly Kelekidou, Dionisis Makris, and Nikos Apergi.

In June 2007, Martakis released his first studio album titled "Anatropi" (Reversal). The album was generally well received with the title track "Anatropi" and "Nai" becoming hits. On the album he worked with such songwriters as Eleana Vrahali and Giannis Hristodoulopoulos, the songwriting duo behind Elena Paparizou's summer smash and the theme to the MEGA TV series "Mazi Sou" as well as Pigasos & Giannis Doksas who have all worked with Paparizou.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. The public voted him number 1, while his songs gained airplay. Shortly after, he signed a contract with Sony BMG Russia to release an English album in all the ex-soviet countries in 2008. Seeing his growing popularity, ERT asked him to compete in a National Final to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.

Eurovision National Final

Kostas Martakis competed in the Greek National Final with a song by Dimitris Kontopoulos with lyrics by Vicky Gerothodorou. cite web | title = Στην τελική ευθεία ο Κώστας Μαρτάκης | url = http://www.mad.tv/news/?id=28406 MAD TV. Retrieved on January 23, 2008 Gr icon] The title was "Always and Forever". [ cite web | title = Kostas Martakis to sing 'Always & Forever' | url = http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=2278 Oikotimes. Retrieved on January 23, 2008] Currently they are also writing a Russian version of the song. [ cite web | title = Dimitris Kontopoulos confirmed for Kostas Martakis song | url = http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=2038 Oikotimes. Retrieved on January 23, 2008] The song Pop-Rock style 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. [ cite web | title = Κ.Μαρτάκης: Με την dance version στον τελικό | url = http://www.eurovision-greece.com/news/2008/February/news26a.html Eurovision-Greece. Retrieved on March 21, 2008] Martakis will also release this song with Sony BMG Russia as a CD Single.

Current Projects

Kostas is currently recording his second Greek language album, set for release later this year. He has also recorded a Greek cover called "Fila Me" of the Spanish song "Torre de Babel" by David Bisbal for which a video had been made and was released as a digital single. The video sees Kostas dancing in a field with a mysterious woman and standing in the sea with her.

Discography

tudio albums

*2007: "Anatropi" (Greece #09 )
*2008: "Upcoming Greek album"
*2008: "Upcoming International album

CD Singles

*2006: "Panta Mazi" (Greek Singles Chart #3)
*2008: "Always and Forever" (Greek Singles Chart #1)

ee also

*Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

External links

* [http://eurovision.ert.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=9 ERT Biography]
* [http://www.KostasMartakis.com Official website - Coming soon]

References