Elli Kokkinou
Έλλη Κοκκίνου
Background information
Birth nameEllie Papathanasopoulou
Born (1970-07-24) 24 July 1970
Athens, Greece
GenresContemporary laïka, folk, dance-pop
Labels

Elli Kokkinou (Greek: Έλλη Κοκκίνου, IPA: [ˈeli koˈcinu]; born 24 July 1970) is a Greek singer.[1] She is among the most popular singers in Greece today and has performed together with many notable Greek names of the music industry such as Anna Vissi, Glykeria, Paschalis Terzis, Sakis Rouvas, Tolis Voskopoulos, Thanos Petrelis, Natassa Theodoridou, Despina Vandi, Giorgos Tsalikis and Kalomoira. Kokkinou has been certified for the sales of 135 thousand albums by IFPI Greece. On 14 March 2010, Alpha TV ranked Kokkinou the 27th top-certified female artist in the nation's phonographic era (since 1960).[2]

Career

Early life and beginnings

Elli Kokkinou grew up in a family with a love of music. From a young age, Elli showed interest in music and was also part of the dance group at her school.[3] Her father encouraged her to listen to music, mostly jazz, while her mother encouraged her to listen to more mainstream music, such as disco. At age five she started ballet, while at home she sang and danced for her parents at night. She soon began classic guitar courses at the Attiko Conservatory, and after that, acoustic and electric guitar lessons for another three years. Kokkinou was also very interested in sports and for six years before she finished school, she was on a water ski team. On the team she won third place in a pan-Hellenic championship as well as many gold medals. Upon graduation Kokkinou wrote her first band called "Anonimi" (Anonymous). At the same time she completed examinations and was accepted to the school Vakalo where she studied graphic, free and architectural drawing and art history.

Elli Kokkinou first professionally dealt with music in 1990 with the request of the famous Kostas Tournas.[1] Soon after, Kokkinou collaborated with many big names at the clubs such as Antonis Vardis, Tolis Voskopoulos, Anna Vissi, Pashalis Terzis, Glykeria, Eleni Dimou, and many more. At the same time Kokkinou also provided backing vocals for a number of artists' albums.[3]

In 1992, Elli Kokkinou moved to Los Angeles, CA where she studied for two years voice and piano at the Musicians Institute of Technology.[1] Her relocation to the United States offered her the chance to be taught by strong names in the music industry such as Carl Schroeder, pianist for Sarah Voaghn, and Scott Henderson. In 1994 she graduated and returned to Greece.[4]

1996–2002: Kapia Mera, Epikindyna Paihnidia, and Andriki Kolonia

In 1996, Elli Kokkinou signed a contract with Sony Music Greece and in 1998 she released her first CD single titled Kapia Mera (Someday). Music was by Antonis Vardis, with lyrics by Manou Tsilimidis and Gioula Gerorgiou.[4]

In 1999, Elli Kokkinou released her debut album titled Epikindyna Paihnidia (Dangerous games). In 2000 she released her second album titled Andriki Kolonia (Male cologne). The song "Pao Pao" became a hit single off the album.

2002–2004: Sto Kokkino

In 2002, she signed with Heaven Music and the following year, she started collaborating with popular songwriter Phoebus.[5] In May 2003, she released the album Sto Kokkino (In red) which was one of the most successful releases in Greece of the year, reaching double platinum status.[6] The album's first platinum certification was attained within two months and was also a great success in neighboring Turkey. Kokkinou performed with Giorgos Mazonakis in the song "To Gucci Ton Masai" which made it into the Greek top ten. Following the success of Sto Kokkino, her former label Sony Music released a greatest hits album titled Paradinomai (I'm surrendering).[3] Following the platinum status, Sto Kokkino was repackaged as Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition in 2004 with four bonus songs including a duet with Giorgos Tsalikis and a DVD. The four new songs became instant hits, while the re-release helped push the certification up to 2× platinum.

On April 14, 2005, Elli Kokkinou won the international award for "Best New International Artist" by the "Union of Journalists of Turkey" (MGD), as her songs from Sto Kokkino were big hits in Turkey.[4]

Nikos Kourkoulis, Elli Kokkinou & Natassa Theodoridou at club "Votanikos" in 2006

2005–2006: SEX

Following a series of concerts in the United States and Australia with Christos Dantis, Elli Kokkinou returned in the summer of 2005 and began recording songs for her next studio album with Phivos. On November 10, 2005, Kokkinou released her fourth studio album titled SEX which was certified gold on the day of its release. The album shortly reached platinum status and was repackaged on November 13, 2006, as Ki' Allo Platinum Edition (More). Ki' Al'lo featured 4 new songs and a bonus DVD, including a duet with Thanos Petrelis and the French-language version of the single "SEX" first performed at the "MAD Music Video Awards" in 2006. For the winter season of 2006–2007, Kokkinou performed with Petrelis at club "Apollon".[5]

2007–2009: Eilikrina

On April 1, 2007, Elli announced on her official website that she had left Heaven Music and Phoebus stating she would like more creative input as one of her reasons.[7] She also stated that Heaven Music had offered her to resign, which she decided not to do. Following a couple months without a label, Elli announced in July 2007 that she had signed with her original label Sony BMG Greece.[8]

In September 2007, she started appearances with Nikos Kourkoulis and Natassa Theodoridou at club "Votanikos".[5][9] In November 2007, she released her fifth studio album titled Eilikrina (Honestly).[10] The album peaked at number 2 on the Greek IFPI charts, while her lead single "Lypamai Eilikrina" peaked at number 2 on the Nielsen's Greece Radio Airplay Chart. The album quickly certified gold.[11] Due to her pregnancy, she stopped singing at Votanikos club on January 5, 2008, and Sarbel replaced her.[12][13]

In November 2008, Kokkinou released a song titled "Mi Ta Paratas" with music by Dimitris Kontopoulos, which was the title track to the Greek film "O Ilias Tou 16ou".[14] She also recorded a track titled "Demenes" for the Barbie movie "I Barbie Kai To Diamantenio Kastro", releasing the video through her official Myspace page.[15]

In late March 2009, she released a digital single titled "Pame Ksana" (Let's go again) composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos with lyrics by Alexandra Zakka.[16] In June 2009 Elli started performing at club Romeo, marking the first time in a year that she was back on a stage. In October 2009 Kokkinou embarked on a North American tour, appearing in cities in the United States and Canada.[17] It was the most successful tour by any female Greek singer in North America since 2004.

2010–present: Greek Idol and Ta Genethlia Mou

On 11 December 2009, Kokkinou officially signed a five-year contract with Phoebus's new record label, The Spicy Effect,[18] the very same day that Nino signed his.[19][20] As a result, Kokkinou will once again collaborate with Phoebus on her new album.[21] Speaking at the signing, Kokkinou stated that the first single from her upcoming album written by Phoebus has been recorded and will be released in January.[19] On January 22, 2010, Kokkinou released a digital single titled "Ontos" (Indeed), which featured rapper Ypochthonios.[22] A remix followed, while in March 2010, Kokkinou released another digital single titled "Apohoro" (I'm departing).

On 23 July 2010, Kokkinou kicked off a summer tour across Greece and Cyprus with Despina Vandi.[23] For the winter season, Kokkinou will be appearing with Vasilis Karras at club FIX in Thessaloniki set to kick off on October 22, 2010.[24] Songwriter Phoebus has written them a duet titled "Den Tin Palevo" which premiered on October 12, 2010.[25] Her new album is expected to be released in November 2010.[24]

On 26 October 2010, Alpha TV announced that Elli Kokkinou will be a judge for season 2 of reality singing competition Greek Idol, which started in February 2011.,[26] In late October 2010 she embarked on a joint North American tour with Despina Vandi and Kosta Karafotis.[27] On 9 December 2011, she released the studio album Ta Genethlia Mou (My Birthday), her first since 2007's Eilikrina, and her first on The Spicy Effect.[28] The album was released as a Deluxe Digipak, featuring a booklet and fifteen songs in total.[28] The album was certified platinum in March 2012.[29] For promotion of the album, Kokkinou collaborated with singers Despina Vandi and Nikos Oikonomopoulos for a concert series at club Fever for the 2011-2012 winter season.[30] Following the concert series, Kokkinou continued performing with Oikonomopoulos in Thessaloniki at club "Thea" from 24 August until October 2012.[31]

In May 2012, she opened an English language nursery school in the Athens suburb of Glyfada called Happy Faces.[32][33] When asked why she decided to open a nursery school, she stated the idea came about a year and a half prior when she was reading the story "Bondo in Kindergarten" to her son Alexander about a little bear that attended nursery school.[34] In a personal statement posted on the nursery school's official website, Kokkinou elaborates that she wanted to create a place that was happy, colorful, and fairytale like, that felt more like home rather than a school.[35]

In September 2012, after over 160,000 votes from around the world, Kokkinou was awarded "Best Song in the Balkans from Republic of Greece for 2011" at the Balkan Music Awards for her song "Eroteftika".[36] On October 15, 2012, Elli released a new single entitled "Kardia Apo Giali" (Heart of Glass). The song reached number one on over 20 radios stations in Greece within its first week of release, and generated over 75,000 views on YouTube within the first week.

Personal life

In the 1990s, Elli Kokkinou had a relationship with fellow singer Dionisis Schinas. Later, in 2000, she began dating her business manager, Panayiotis Vassiliadis, and in September 2007 the two married. She became a stepmother to his three children from a previous marriage. In December 2007, she revealed that she was pregnant with her first child after much media scrutiny. In May 2008 Kokkinou gave birth to a boy.[37][38] After much speculation and no public joint appearance of the two in six month, Kokkinou and her son moved to a new house in March 2010 with the couple announcing their divorce shortly after.[39][40] From September 2010 to Summer 2017, was dating Greek basketball player Georgios Bogris.[41] Kokkinou has hails from the village Epitalio.[42]

Discography

Studio albums

All the albums listed underneath were released and charted in Greece and Cyprus.

Year Title Certification
1999 Epikindyna Paihnidia —
2000 Andriki Kolonia —
2003 Sto Kokkino 2× Platinum
2005 SEX/Ki Allo Platinum Edition Platinum
2007 Eilikrina Gold
2011 Ta Genethlia Mou 2× Platinum
2017 Afti Eimai Ego —
2021 Ta Sinesthimata Mou —

CD singles

Year Title Notes
1998 "Kapoia Mera" —

Compilations

Year Title Notes
2003 Paradinomai —

Digital singles

Year Title Notes
2008 "Min Ta Paratas" "O Ilias Tou 16ou"
2008 "Demenes" "Barbie & The Diamond Castle"
2008 "Me Odigisi Oikologiki" TV Spot
2009 "Pame Ksana" —
2012 "Kardia Apo Giali" —
2013 "Kalinyhta" —
2014 "Matia Kleista" —
2015 "As Ftaio Panta Ego" —
2016 "Makari" —
2016 "To Hamogelo Sou" —
2016 "O Theos Einai Ginaika" —
2018 "Ola Lathos" —
2018 "Ximeromata Savatou" —
2019 "Taxe Mou" —
2020 "Na Tin Agapas" —
2021 "Ti Eho Travixei" —

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 To Kokkino Domatio Elina Alienti Season 1, Episode 15
Guest star
2011 Greek Idol Herself Season 3
Judge
2017 Your Face Sounds Familiar Herself Season 4
Judge

Music videos

Year Title
1996 "San Me Koitas"
(featuring Kostas Chrisis)
1998 "Kapoia Mera"
2000 "Na Ta Mas Pali"
2001 "Pao Pao"
2003 "Kosmotheoria"
2003 "Sorry"
2003 "Den Ginetai"
2004 "Erota Mou / Agori Mou"
2004 "Auto To Kalokairi"
2004 "Bye Bye"
(featuring Giorgos Tsalikis)
2005 "Tha Perimeno"
2005 "SEX"
2006 "Ti Tis Eheis Vrei"
2006 "Itan Psema"
2006 "Ki Allo"
2007 "Adiaforos"
(featuring Thanos Petrelis)
2007 "Lypamai Eilikrina"
2008 "Eisai O,ti Thelo"
2008 "Pes Mou Ena Psema"
2008 "Min Ta Paratas"
2008 "Demenes"
2008 "Me Odigisi Oikologiki"
2009 "Pame Xana"
2010 "Ontos"
(featuring Ipo)
2010 "Apohoro"
2010 "Hristougenna"
(featuring Spicy Artists)
2011 "Eroteutika"
2011 "Ta Genethlia Mou"
2012 "Kardia Apo Giali"
2013 "Kalinihta"
2014 "Matia Kleista"
2015 "As Ftaio Panta Ego"
2016 "Makari"
2016 "O Theos Einai Ginaika"
2018 "Ola Lathos"
2019 "Taxe Mou"
2020 "Na Tin Agapas"
2021 "Ti Eho Travixei"

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Biography by Sony BMG Greece". Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  2. ↑ Chart Show: Your Countdown. Alpha TV. Airdate: 14 March 2010
  3. 1 2 3 "Biography by MAD TV". Archived from the original on 6 September 2007. MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  4. 1 2 3 "Biography by Official Fan Club". Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2008. Pathfinder.gr. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  5. 1 2 3 "Biography by Official Site". Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. ElliKokkinou.eu. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  6. ↑ Staff (November 2005). Η Ελλη Κοκκίνου σε νέα τραγούδια του Φοίβου (in Greek). Heaven Music. Archived from the original on 11 January 2006. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
  7. ↑ "Τέλος από Heaven η Έλλη". Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  8. ↑ "Η Έλλη Κοκκίνου στη Sony-BMG". Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  9. ↑ "Στις 27 Σεπτέμβρη έναρξη στον Βοτανικό". Archived from the original on 9 May 2009. Love Radio Broadcasting. Retrieved on April 1, 2008 (in Greek)
  10. ↑ "Ειλικρινά -- Ανανεωμένη, μελωδική, κεφάτη, εκφραστική... αυτή είναι η νέα Έλλη Κοκκίνου!!". Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  11. ↑ "Χρυσή απονομή στην Έλλη Κοκκίνου". Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  12. ↑ "O Sarbel με Νατάσα, Κουρκούλη". Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  13. ↑ "Who's performing where?". Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. London Greek Radio. Retrieved on March 23, 2008
  14. ↑ Έλλη Κοκκίνου "Μην τα παρατάς" (in Greek). MAD TV. 10 November 2008. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  15. ↑ "Demenes". Management of Elli Kokkinou. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  16. ↑ Staff (3 April 2009). Έλλη Κοκκίνου - "Πάμε Ξανά" (in Greek). Music.net.cy. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  17. ↑ Staff (1 April 2009). Πάμε ξανά στο πάρτι της Έλλης (in Greek). MAD TV. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  18. ↑ Staff (27 November 2009). "Έλλη Κοκκίνου - Sony Music: To τέλος μιας δημιουργικής συνεργασίας!" (in Greek). MAD TV. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  19. 1 2 Staff (11 December 2009). Κοκκίνου-Νίνο στο Φοίβο! (in Greek). Panorama Press. Archived from the original on 14 December 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
  20. ↑ Staff (11 December 2009). Υπέγραψαν Νίνο και Κοκκίνου με τον Φοίβο (in Greek). Star Channel. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
  21. ↑ Staff (23 November 2009). Ο Φοίβος ξαναχτυπά ρυθμικά (in Greek). Elliniko-Fenomeno.gr. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  22. ↑ Staff (22 January 2010). Ακούστε το: Νέο τραγούδι από Έλλη Κοκκίνου σε συνεργασία με Φοίβο (in Greek). Music.net.cy. Archived from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  23. ↑ Staff (7 July 2010). "Δέσποινα Βανδή και Έλλη Κοκκίνου on tour!" (in Greek). MAD TV. Archived from the original on 11 August 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  24. 1 2 Kasimatis, Asteris (7 October 2010). Έλλη Κοκκίνου: Της έκαναν πρόταση γάμου στον "αέρα"! (in Greek). Yupi.gr. Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  25. ↑ YouTube - Vasilis Karras-Elli Kokkinou Den Tin Palevo - Official (HQ)
  26. ↑ Staff (26 October 2010). "Κοκκίνου - Κωστόπουλος - Καπετανίδης στο "Greek Idol"" (in Greek). Star Channel. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  27. ↑ Karamitsos, Maria (19 September 2011). "Vandi, Kokkinou and Karafotis to Tour North America". GreekReporter.com. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  28. 1 2 Staf (2 December 2011). Νέα κυκλοφορία από την Έλλη Κοκκίνου ! (in Greek). Tralala.gr. Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  29. ↑ Staff (8 March 2012). "ΕΛΛΗ ΚΟΚΚΙΝΟΥ - ΑΠΟΝΟΜΗ ΠΛΑΤΙΝΕΝΙΟΥ ALBUM" (in Greek). The Spicy Effect. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  30. ↑ Staff (9 September 2011). Οικονομόπουλος ανάμεσα σε Κοκκίνου και Βανδή (in Greek). Billboard Greece. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  31. ↑ Staff (31 July 2012). "ΘΕΑ"ΝΙΚΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ -ΕΛΛΗ ΚΟΚΚΙΝΟΥ (in Greek). The Spicy Effect. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  32. ↑ "Έλλη Κοκκίνου: Happy faces!". Kathimerini Cyprus (in Greek). 20 May 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  33. ↑ Staff (5 May 2012). Κοκκίνου – Μπόγρης μαζί στα εγκαίνια του παιδικού σταθμού (in Greek). Star TV. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  34. ↑ Staff (12 March 2012). Ποια πασίγνωστη τραγουδίστρια ανοίγει παιδικό σταθμό; (in Greek). Fimes.gr. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  35. ↑ Elli Kokkinou. "It all started with a book." Happy Faces. Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012. It all started with a book....I was reading to my son Alexander, "Bondo in Kindergarten". I liked it so much, that I decided that one day I would like to create a Nursery just like that! I wanted a place that was happy, colorful and fairylike that felt more like home rather than a school.. a place where children would feel free to be themselves armed with their innocence, their independence, their childishness, their spontaneity, to be proud of themselves. A place full of happy faces! It began like a fairy tale, and this is how I want it to continue..-Elli Kokkinou
  36. ↑ Staff (12 September 2012). "Balkan Music Awards 2012 Winners!". Balkania TV. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  37. ↑ "Η μαμά Έλλη Κοκκίνου". Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. MAD TV. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 (in Greek)
  38. ↑ "Γέννησε πρόσφατα η Έλλη Κοκκίνου..." Archived from the original on 27 June 2008. Music.net.cy, June 6, 2008. Retrieved on June 6, 2008 (in Greek)
  39. ↑ Staff (23 March 2010). Χώρισαν Έλλη Κοκκίνου και Παναγιώτης Βασιλειάδης (in Greek). MAD TV. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  40. ↑ Staff (28 March 2010). "Cover Story:Ελλη Κοκκίνου-Παναγιώτης Βασιλειάδης" (in Greek). Eleftheros Typos. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  41. ↑ "Elli Kokkinou "Fell in Love"". Greek Reporter. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  42. ↑ Ηλεία:Στην ιδιαίτερη πατρίδα της το Επιτάλιο η Έλλη Κοκκίνου
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