Notis Sfakianakis
| Notis Sfakianakis Νότης Σφακιανάκης |
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Notis Sfakianakis performing live.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Panagiotis Sfakianakis |
| Born |
2 November 1959 Herakleion, Crete, Greece |
| Origin | Athens, Greece |
| Genres | Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Sony Greece, Minos EMI, Universal Greece |
| Website | notissfakianakis.eu |
Panagiotis "Notis" Sfakianakis (Greek: Νότης Σφακιανάκης; born 2 November 1959) is a Greek singer of Folk music, and is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career in 1985, opening at nightclubs for other artists. He was discovered by Sony Greece and released his debut album Proti Fora (1991). For his second album Eisai Ena Pistoli (1992), he moved to Minos EMI. While his first three releases were commercially successful, beginning in the mid-1990s, Sfakianakis released a series of multi-platinum albums that are among the best selling albums of all time in Greece — including Notioanatolitika Tou Kosmou (1994) with 120–150 thousand copies sold,5o Vima (1996) which has been recognized as the best selling album of all time in Greece with 200 thousand copies sold,I Notes Einai 7psyhes with 132.5 thousand copies (265 thousand units) sold, the EPs Pro-Dia-Fimin (1997) with 100 thousand copies sold, and Around the World with 15 thousand copies shipped,XXX Enthimion (1999), which is the best selling live album of all time in Greece in terms of unit sales with 180 thousand copies (360 thousand units) sold,Polihroma Kai Entona (2000) that shipped 100 thousand copies and As Milisoun Ta Tragoudia (2002) which fared similarly. His signature song "O Aetos" is one of the most popular songs in Greek music history. Sfakianakis was the best selling artist of the 1990s and stands as the best selling Greek artist of his generation. However, in the 2000s he faced a significant commercial decline.Me Agapi O,ti Kaneis (2004) and Ana...Genisis (2005) shipped 40 thousand copies each.Nihtes... Magikes (2007) and Mnimes (2008) sold 30 thousand copies each, while the EP Kinonia Ora 07:00 sold 15 thousand copies. He then embarked on the Matomeno Dakry album trilogy (2009–2011). He has sold over 5 million records in Greece alone and in addition to these he has sold over 900 thousand copies of his albums as newspaper covermounts. Sfakianakis is also known for his controversial image and outspoken manner and opinions.
Notis Sfakianakis and his family moved to the island of Kos when he was seven. Notis became a disc jockey in his early 20s. He supported himself by working as an electrician, plumber, waiter, and labourer. In 1985 he formed a band and played in clubs in Kos. Due to the lack of success, the band broke apart after less than year of being formed. In 1986 Notis moved back to Crete to start his solo singing career.
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