Kostas Martakis

Kostas Martakis (; born 25 May 1984) is a Greek singer and model who rose to fame after appearing on the Greek talent show Dream Show aired by Alpha TV in 2006. Following his participation, he released five studio albums and also participated in the Greek national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and 2014. In 2011, he participated in the second season of Greece's Dancing with the Stars, placing second and three years later he was in the backstage host featuring Doukissa Nomikou. In 2013, he took part in the first season of Your Face Sounds Familiar.

Biography

Early life Martakis was born on 25 May 1984 in Athens to Nikolaos Martakis and Labrini Lymberopoulou. His father is from Mytilene, while his mother is a Greek-Australian. Martakis has an older sister named Tina and a younger brother Nikos.

2006–2007: Dream Show and debut album Martakis first gained fame on the reality talent show Dream Show. Prior he had also done modelling work and played basketball in the Greek professional leagues where he won medals, The song was "Always and Forever". and it was recorded in two different styles. The pop rock 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. The winning entrant was "Secret Combination" by Kalomoira, and Martakis' entry "Always and Forever" placed second. Following the Greek national final, a Russian language cover of "Always and Forever" based on the dance version with the title "С тобой навеки" (With you forever) was released in ex-soviet countries, while in December 2008, "Always & Forever" was added to American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch's nationwide US in-store music playlist, thus indirectly introducing the song to the American market. thumb

In 2008, Kostas Martakis and Danish-Greek singer Shaya were chosen to record a Greek-language version of Right Here, Right Now from the soundtrack of the Disney film High School Musical 3: Senior Year. The cover was titled "Mikroi Theoi" (Little Gods) and was released as a single from the Greek edition of the film's soundtrack, as well as being made into a music video with Martakis and Shaya molded together with scenes from the film. The music video was included as a bonus feature on the Greek edition of the film's home video release. Walt Disney Records, via its international distribution partner EMI, commissioned several local market, foreign-language versions of songs from the entire High School Musical series, although "Mikroi Theoi" was the only Greek version song.

"Fila Me" is another single by Martakis of which was made into a music video and released as a digital single. Martakis then took a break from recording and live shows as he was called to fulfill service in the Hellenic Navy.

In fall 2008, Kostas Martakis was the opening act for the Athens concert of Jennifer Lopez.

2009: Pio Konta

In March 2009, it was announced that Kostas Martakis signed with Universal Music Greece. The collaboration with Sony BMG helped spawn nine singles, but his departure from the label in 2009 was on good terms.

In June 2009, Martakis released a song as a digital download single titled "Pio Konta" (Come closer) composed by Swedish producers Holter & Erixson. On November 12, 2009, Martakis released his second studio album titled Pio Konta, which went platinum.

2011: Sex Indigo, Dancing with the Stars and Entasi

In early 2011, Martakis participated in the second season of the Greek version of Dancing with the Stars and was partnered with Maria Antimisari. He placed second on the show. In March 2011, he traveled to Moscow to record the duet titled "Sex Indigo" with Russian pop star Diana Diez. A video was shot in Ukraine by the director Alan Badoev, while the song will be included in both artist's new albums. The premiere of song "Sex Indigo" was on March 18, the version of "Sex Indigo" in Greek "Vres Ton Tropo" (Find the Way) was premiere on April 28 and the version of "Sex Indigo" in Spanish was the May 4. The world premieres of the three versions were on the Official Facebook Group of Kostas and the channel of the artist on YouTube, the letter of the Spanish version of "Sex Indigo" was written by Juliana Lira and Fermin Lira, The Sex Indigo video was premiered on July 14 for the ELLO channel and the Russian version was released on November 11 in the Diana Díez channel Official On YouTube.

2012: Entasi, MadWalk and Musical Rent

Martakis released his third studio album titled Entasi (Intensity) on December 5, 2011. In the lead up to the album's release, Martakis teamed up with MAD TV and Hellas On-Line (HOL) for a special web concert previewing is new songs on November 24, 2011.

The MadWalk By Vodafone. was held on February 8, 2012 in the Tae Kwon Do arena, the guest host being Martakis who shared the presentation with Viki Kagia and Maria Sinatsaki. and performed with them as in his music video Entasi in the second act.

On February 16, at the theater Veaki, Kostas made his acting debut in the musical Rent. He played the decadent rock star Roger Davis, telling the story of a group of marginalized young people, trying to survive in New York of the 90s, who suffer poverty, love, passion, rejection and loss. The musical was directed by Themidos Marcelou and with the participation of the actors Ada Livitsanou, Antigone Psychrami, Aris Plaskasovitis, Vasilis Axiotis, Christos Georgalis, Themis Marsellou, Stergios Ntaousanakis, Indra Kein, Andreas, and Maria Vasilatou Kapatais. Entries in Ellinikós Telikós and Eurosong Year Song Place Total votes 2008 "Always and Forever" 2nd 33.8% 2014 "Kanenas De Me Stamata" 2nd 28.09%

Awards and nominations MAD Video Music Awards List of nominations and awards by artist Kostas Martakis musical career 2006.

The 'MAD Video Music Awards' are produced by the television and radio station Greek MAD TV. Although not affiliated with the music industry, are the most important awards of Greece now. Held annually during the month of June since 2004.

Year Nominated work Category Result 2007 Nai Best Video Clip New Artist Winner 2007 Thelo Epeigontos Diakopes Sexiest Artist in Video Clip Nominated 2008 Anatropi Sexy Video Clip of the Year Nominated 2009 Fila Me Sexy Video Clip of the Year Nominated 2009 Mikro Theoi (ft. Shaya ) Best Duet Nominated 2010 Pote Best Male Artist Nominated 2010 Pio Konta Video Clip of the Year Nominated 2010 Pote Sexy Video Clip of the Year Nominated 2010 Pio Konta Best Video Clip Pop Nominated 2011 Kano O, ti Thes Best Male Artist Nominado 2011 Afto Pou Zitas (ft.Thirio) Video Clip Hip Hop/Urban Nominado 2011 Kano O, ti Thes Fashion Icon in Video Clip Nominated 2012 Entasi Best Male Artist Nominated 2012 Agries Diatheseis Sexy Video Clip of the Year Nominated 2012 Entasi Fashion Icon in VideoClip Nominated 2013 Mou Pires Kati Best Male Artist Nominated 2013 S'exo Anaki S'agapo Best Video Clip Pop Nominated 2013 Mamacita Buena Top 50 Nominated 2014 Ta Kalokairina ta S'agapo VideoClip Pop Nominated 2014 Paradise VideoClip Urban Nominated 2014 Paradise Duet Nominated 2014 An Kapou Kapote Best Male Artist Nominated 2014 An Kapou Kapote Artist Of The Year Nominated 2014 An Kapou Kapote Artist Of Cuprys Winner

Discography

Studio albums

EPs Title Album detailsPanta Mazi Released: November, 2006 Label: RCA, Sony BMG Formats: EPAlways and Forever Released: February 6, 2008 Label: RCA, Sony BMG Formats: EP