Michalis Hatzigiannis

A 1980s Nicosia upbringing, in what he later described as a deeply conservative, melancholic atmosphere. His first record, “Aggigma Psychis” (1998), paired him with composer Giorgos Hatzinasios and lyricist Michalis Bourboulis. On 1 March 1998 he won the Cypriot Eurovision national final with his own composition, “Genesis,” lyrics by Zinon Zindilis. He finished 11th in the contest with 37 points. The scene had already found his voice.

“The next generation needs us. It needs us to stand beside it for real, and to listen carefully.”

“Paraxeni Giorti” (2000, RCA) lands at #1 across Greece and Cyprus. The momentum doesn't stop: “Krifo Fili” (2002), “Akatallili Skini” (2004), “Filoi kai Ehthroi” (2006), “7” (2008 — the year's best-selling album in Greece), “Kolaz” (2009). Seven straight #1s and 3.5 million-plus albums sold across 2000–2010 — single-handedly defining the Universal era for the label.

“Live at Lycabettus 2007–08” became a touchstone. In 2010 the international record “Mihalis” (We Love Music / Universal Germany) reached German-speaking audiences, with English lyrics co-written by Rea Garvey of Reamonn. Back home: “To Kalitero Psema” (2010), “Tharros i Alitheia” (2011), “I Agapi Dynamonei” (2013, platinum), “Erotas Agapi” (2017), “Da Capo - From the Top” (2018).

“Never say never to Eurovision.”

“Unplugged” (2020), “Ten Faces of Love” (2022) and “Terra Incognita” (2024). His writing matures without losing the intimacy. In 2021 he was once again Greek radio's most-played artist — capping off two unbroken decades of catalogue dominance.

Fourteen studio albums, hundreds of live shows, sold-out nights at the Herodion, Lycabettus, Gazarte and every summer theatre in the country. Twenty-six years after Eurovision 1998, he keeps writing, recording and filling stages across Greece and Cyprus.

“There was always a light. The music.”