Michalis Hatzigiannis

Michalis Hatzigiannis - Quick Facts

Profile Overview of Michalis Hatzigiannis

Michalis Hatzigiannis (Greek: Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης; born 5 November 1978) is a Greek Cypriot singer. He served as the Deputy Minister of Culture for Cyprus under President Christodoulides, from March 1, 2023 until July 11, 2023.

This profile of Michalis Hatzigiannis covers Early Life and Family Background, 1996–2002: Beginnings, Eurovision Song Contest, and first albums, 2003–2005: "Monos Mou" and Akatallili Skini, 2006–2008: Filoi Kai Ekthri and 7 and 2009–present: Kolaz, Mihalis, To Kalytero Psema, Tharros I Alitheia, I Agapi Dinamoni, Erotas Agathi and Terra Incognita.

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 in 1998. In 2010, he released his first English-language album. In 2010, Forbes listed him as the most popular Cypriot male singer in Cyprus and 22nd most powerful and influential celebrity in Greece and the fifth highest-ranked singer.

Early Life and Family Background of Michalis Hatzigiannis

Hatzigiannis was born in Nicosia on 5 November 1978, to his parent, Giannis and Rena. He also had one older sister, Melina. He is a graduate of the Cyprus Music Academy at London's Royal Academy of Music, with a degree in piano, guitar, and music theory.

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

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 Song Contest with the song "I Diki Mou Istoria", written by Andreas Gerolemou, and won 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 several concerts in major city tour in Cyprus titled "Mixalis Xatzigiannis, Andreas Gerolemou".

In May 1998, he represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest. He performed the song "Γένεσις" (Genesis), a composition of his own and finished 11th.

Upon arriving in Athens, Greece 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 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 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'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 ceremony which took place in Warsaw to mark the accession of ten new countries into the European Union.

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 and Thessaloniki with Paschalis Terzis.

In the summer of 2005, he toured Greece once again ending in September at Lycabettus Theatre, Mount Lycabettus, Athens with two sold out, recorded, concerts. In October he travelled to Australia for the first time and had one concert in Melbourne. 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 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 and in May he went to Thessaloniki where he appeared with Natasa Theodoridou. 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.

Source: adapted from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michalis_Hatzigiannis), text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.