Mihalis Hatzigiannis (Greek: Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης; born November 5, 1979 in Nicosia, Cyprus) is a Greek singer-songwriter.

Early life

Hatzigiannis was born in Nicosia, Cyprus on November 5, 1979. He is a graduate of the Cyprus Music Academy (Royal College of London) with a degree in piano, guitar and music theory.

When he was 15, he participated in a song contest in Cyprus, "Afetiries" where he won the first prize. In 1995, he participated in the Cypriot National Final for the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 with the song "Filise Me", although he did not win. He started his career in Cyprus with three records that all went platinum: "Senario", "O Mihalis Hatzigiannis Traguda Doro Georgiadi" and "Epafi". He also participated in a musical production in Cyprus called "Pygmalion".

Musical career

1998–2002: Eurovision Song Contest and first albums

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

Upon Michalis Hatzigiannis in Athens, Greece he collaborated with the composer Giorgos Hatzinasios and with poet and lyricist Michalis Bouboulis to create the CD single "Angigma 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 "Angigma 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" (Strange Celebration). Many sought after composers and lyricists contributed to the making of this album which produced some of the biggest hits of that year. The song "Mono Sta Onira" (Only in dreams) stayed at number one in the Greek radio airplay for several weeks. And two other singles from the album, title track "Paraxeni Giorti" and "Ke Tha Hatho" (And I’ll disappear), had similar success. The album settled at 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 legendary 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 3x 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" (Smoke). 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.

2003–2005: "Monos Mou" and Akatallili Skini

In 2003 he released the 3x 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 sixty-three 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 April 30, 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 Salonika with the hugely popular singer, Paschalis Terzis.
Hatzigiannis in a 2005 concert in Katerini

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 three concerts. In November he started performing with Antonis Remos, in Athens until April 2006.

2006–present: Filoi Kai Ehthri 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 U.S. with George Dalaras and in May he went to Salonika where he appeared with Natassa 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 December 15 he began performing at Vox music hall in Athens.

In March 2007 he collaborated with German Rock band, Reamonn and released a cover duet with the band of their hit "Tonight", a half English and half Greek lyric version of the song with Greek lyrics by Eleana Vrahali. The song is included in Reamonn's re-release of "Wish" and in "Filoi Kai Ehthri". Later in June he released the CD single "Pio Poli" (More), including the title track and a remix by Passion, the duet "Tonight" and "Heria Psila" (Moscow Electromix). He also started embarked on another summer tour in Greece, after his appearances in Vox ending in May. In October and November he toured internationally by staging concerts in Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium. In December he released his second live album, "Zontana Sto Likavitto" (Live at Lycabettus) which went platinum in the first week of release. He also commenced another winter season at Vox, this time alongside Glykeria.

Michalis Hatzigiannis was scheduled to tour North America in May 2008 with performances in various cities throughout the United States and Canada, but was unable to complete the whole tour due to problems with the US Government and the concert promoters Asteria Productions and Greek Chicago. However, concerts in Chicago, Montreal, New York and Toronto went underway as scheduled. On September 30, 2008, Hatzigiannis released a CD single titled "Emeis I Dio San Ena" (Us two as one) and served as a lead single for the upcoming album. The single was once again used as part of the new OTE summer campaign, this time in tribute to pianist Laura Mandanas, an inspiration from Hatzigiannis' childhood. Hatztigiannis released his seventh studio album titled 7 on October 29, 2008.

Discography


Albums

    * 1995: Senario
    * 1997: O Mihalis Hatzigiannis Tragoudia Doro Georgiadi
    * 1997: Anonimon Patridon
    * 1998: Epafi
    * 2000: Parakseni Yiorti
    * 2002: Krifo Fili
    * 2004: Akatallili Skini
    * 2006: Live
    * 2006: Filoi Ki Ehthri
    * 2007: Zontana Sto Likavitto
    * 2008: 7

   
CD Singles

    * 1998: "Genesis"
    * 2001: "I Mikres Mas Istories"
    * 2001: "Mono Sta Oneira"
    * 2001: "I Titli Tou Telous"
    * 2002: "Den Eho Hrono"
    * 2003: "Monos Mou"
    * 2004: "R-20"
    * 2005: "Oneiro Zo"
    * 2006: "Ola I Tipota"
    * 2007: "Pio Poli"
    * 2008: "Emeis I Dio San Ena"

Guest Contributions

As a singer

    * Aggigma Psihis (1998) [3 songs]
    * Parakseno Fos - Haris Aleksiou [Duet]
    * I Orhistra Tou Pemptou Galaksia [2 songs]
    * OST Treasure Planet (2002) [1 song]

As a composer

    * 2003:Vale Mousiki - Despina Olympiou [1 song]
    * 2004:Ehoume Logo - Despina Olympiou [3 songs]
    * 2004:Ola Sto Fos - Eleftheria Arvanitaki [2 songs]
    * 2005:Os Ekei Pou I Kardia Bori N'Andexi - Natassa Theodoridou [4 songs]
    * 2006:Paidi Akoma - Eleni Peta [2 songs]
    * 2006:Vrohi Ton Asterion - Glikeria [3 songs]
    * 2006:Pame Makria - Kostas Makedonas [2 songs]
    * 2006:Einai Kapoies Agapes (2nd edition) - Pashalis Terzis [1 song]
    * 2007:Mazi Horista - Despina Olympiou [13 songs]
    * 2007:Me To Na Podi Sta Astra - Giorgos Dalaras [2 songs]

Videography

    * 1998:"Genesis"
    * 1998:"Mikros Arhaggelos"
    * 1998:"Tragoudi Amartolo"
    * 1999:"To Soma Pou Zitas"
    * 2000:"Mono Sta Oneira"
    * 2000:"Parakseni Yiorti"
    * 2001:"I Titli Tou Telous"
    * 2002:"To S'Agapo"
    * 2002:"Horis Anapnoi"
    * 2002:"Eisai Edo"
    * 2003:"Monos Mou"
    * 2003:"Party"
    * 2004:"Gia Sena"
    * 2004:"Pou Einai I Agapi"
    * 2005:"Afta Pou Tha Lega Se Sena"
    * 2005:"Oneiro Zo"
    * 2006:"De Fevgo"
    * 2006:"Ola I Tipota"
    * 2006:"Na Eisai Ekei"
    * 2007:"Heria Psila"
    * 2007:"An Den Kitazo Esena"
    * 2007:"Pio Poli"
    * 2007:"O Paradeisos" [De ftiahtike Gia Mas] (With Despina Olympiou)
    * 2008:"Krata Me"
    * 2008:"Etsi Se Thelo"
    * 2008: "Emeis I Dio San Ena"
    * 2008: "Ola Tha Pane Kala"
    * 2009: "Anapoda"

Awards

* Pop Corn 2001: Best New Artist
* Arion 2003: Best Pop Artist, Best Pop Album(Krifo Fili), Best Artistic Singer
* Arion 2004: Best Artistic Song(Monos mou), Best Modern Laikos Singer, Best Singer of the Year, Best-Selling Single(Monos <ou)
* Mad Video Music Awards 2004: Best Pop Video-clip(Monos Mou), Best Artistic video-clip(To Party), Best Video-clip of the Year(Monos mou)
* Arion 2005: Best Artistic Singer, Best Pop Singer, Best Pop Album(Akatallili Skini), Best Pop Song(Gia Sena), Best Album of the Year(Akatatallili Skini)
* Mad Video Music Awards 2005: Best Video-clip of the Year(Gia Sena)
* Status 2006:Best Male Singer of the Year
* Arion 2006: Best Artistic Song(Na Minis Edo)
* Cyprus Music Awards 2006: Best Greek Song(De Fevgo), Best Greek Single(Oniro Zo)
* Status 2007:Best Male Composer of the Year
* Cyprus Music Awards 2007: Best Male Artist, Best Album of the Year (Fili & Ehthri), Best Single(Ola i Tipota)
* Mad Music Video Awards 2007:Best Pop Video-clip(Ola i tipota),Best Video-clip of Male Artist(Ola i Tipota),Best Video-clip of the Year(Ola i Tipota),Most Played Artist
 * Arion Awards 2007:Best Folk Song(Na Ise Eki), Best Artistic Song(De Fevgo), Best Pop Album(Fili & Ehthri), Best Song of the Year(Ola i Tipota), Album of the Year(Fili & Ehthri), Best artist of the Year, Best-Selling Single(Ola i Tipota), Best-Selling Album(LIVE)
* Johnnie Walker MAN of the Year Awards 2007: Singer of the Year, Man of the Year
* Mad Video Music Awards 2008:Best Duet (O Paradeisos)-duet with Despoina Olympiou

Izvor: Wikipedia

Michalis Hatzigiannis je rođen u Nikoziji.  Diplomirao je na Kiparskoj muzičkoj akademiji u klasi klavira, gitare i muzičke teorije. Kao vrlo mlad je započeo muzičku karijeru na Kipru i prve tri ploče su mu dostigle platinasti tiraž. U maju 1998.  je predstavljao Kipar na pesmi Evrovizije sa sopstvenom kompozicijom, Genesis.
U Atini sarađuje sa kompozitorom Jorgosom Hađinasosom i pesnikom Mihalisom Burbulisom na albumu Agigma Psychis- Dodir duše, koji je izašao u decembru 1998.  Na ovom albumu je muzika iz istoimene serije.  I on je dostigao platinasti tiraž.  Ističu se pesme Agigma Psychis i To soma pou zitas – telo koje tražiš.
U martu 2000.  je objavio svoj prvi solo album Paraxeni Giorti- Čudno slavlje.  Sarađuje sa značajnim kompozitorima i tekstopiscima na ovom albumu, sa koga su potekli neki od njavećih hitova te godine.  Pesma Mono Sta oneira – Samo u snovima je nedeljama bila prva na grčkim listama, a i pesme Paraxeni giorti i Kaitha chatho- Nestaću su imale sličan uspeh.
Početkom 2001 je objavio singl Den Echo Chrono – Nemam vremena.  Ubrzo je dosegla vrhove top lista i platinasti tiraž.   Tog leta je prvi put pravio turneju po Grčkoj.

U proleće 2002.  objavio je drugi solo album Kryfo fili – Tajni poljubac koji je dostigao trostruki platinasti tiraž.  Sam je komponovao većinu pesma.  Na ovom albumu su bili veliki hitovi Eisai Eto – Ovde si, To s agapo – Volim te, Choris Anapnoi – Bez daha, I ekdromi – Izlet, Kapnos - Dim i druge.
2003.  Objavljuje Monos mou – Samo ja, maksi singl sa 5 pesama.  Jedna od pesama An mou tilephonouses – ako pozoveš je postala hit i ostala popularna mesecima.  Na leto 2003.  je ponovo krenuo na turneju po Grčkoj i imao 63 rasprodata koncerta.  Dobitnik je 3 zvanične grčke muzičke nagrade 2003 i 4 u 2004toj, između ostalih je dobio i nagradu za najboljeg pevača godine.  30tog aprila 2004 Mihalis je predstavljao Kipar na zvaničnoj ceremoniji proširenja evropske unije u Varšavi.  Na olimpijskim igrama u Grčkoj, Mihalis je učestvovao i u ceremoniji otvaranja i zatvaranja. U aprilu 2006 je u saradnji sa Jorgosom Dalarasom napravio turneju po SADu i Kanadi i svi koncerti su im bili rasprodati.
U decembru 2006 je objavio album Filoi kai ehthri – Prijatelji i neprijatelji koji je u roku od 2 nedelje dostigao dvostruki platinasti tiraž.  U aprilu 2007.  Mihalis snima sa Reamonnom duet Tonight koji postaje veliki hit u Grčkoj.
U decembru 2007 je izašao njegov album Live at Lykabetts 2007-2008.  na kome su uživo snimci sa rasprodatih koncerata iz teatra Lycabetus, kao i nove pesme.