Irini Merkouri

Irini Merkouri (Greek: Ειρήνη Μερκούρη, pronounced [iˈrini merˈkuri]; born in Ilion, Athens, on May 26, 1981) is a Greek pop and laïka singer.

Career

Early life

Merkouri was born and raised in Ilion, Athens to a Greek father and a Romani mother. She began showing interest in being a singer at a very young age and at the age of seven she would mimic all the singers she would see on television.

2001 - 2003: Debut Album & Meine Mazi Mou Apopse

Irini Merkouri signed a contract with Sony Music Greece and recorded her first solo album Na Fysai I Anixi in November 2001. As part of this album she sang a duet with Antonis Remos titled "Dio Mas" and a Greek version of the French song "Si Tu Ouvres Tes Bras" titled "Iparhi Kai Theos". The album included a total of twelve songs including the hits "Syntelia" and "Foties Anapste".

In June 2003, Merkouri released her second studio album, titled Mine Mazi Mou Apopse (Stay With Me Tonight). It consisted of 12 songs and included a remix of "Syntelia" which topped the airplay charts for 3 consecutive months. The album also included the hits "Ematha Na Zo Horis Esena" and "Meine Mazi Mou Apopse".