London Greek Radio

After weeks of teasing the world with only the title ‘El Diablo’, the Cyprus Eurovision entry by Elena Tsagrinou has finally been released.

We were promised an up-tempo track which would be catchy and Elena has certainly lived up that script, releasing her official contest song for ‘El Diablo’ weeks ago.

Cypriot broadcaster CyBC confirmed that Greek star Elena Tsagrinou would fly the flag at the Eurovision Song Contest in The Netherlands in November last year. The 26-year-old Athenian songstress will perform in the Eurovision’s First Semi-Final, at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena this May.

The entry is penned by producer Jimmy “Joker” Thornfeldt, a Swedish Grammy-Award winner. He collaborates on the tune with Laurell Barker, Oxa, and Thomas Stengaard.

The up-tempo pop-dance feels current and mainstream. The radio friendly hit, which has entered London Greek Radio playlists. It is a competitive song, which no doubt is helping with its hopes and chances of qualifying and on the left-side scoreboard.

The talented songwriters have said that Spanish title ‘El Diablo’ [“Devil”], is a metaphor, which refer to a ‘bad boy’ in this context or even “aliti” in Greek.

LGR’s Tony Neophytou’s said, “Cyprus have a really catchy song with a useful hook and is instantaneous which a Eurovision song requires. The track starts with the chorus straight away, enhancing the immediate and instant nature of this song.”

The song is about a woman crying out for help after falling in love with a ‘bad boy’ known as ‘El Diablo’ and coming to identify with and bond with her abuser.

Elena playfully purrs with whisper-like prayer asking for help “Mamacita tell me what to do…” in the pre-choruses.

The children’s nursery chant in the middle eight sounds eerily scary and is a touch of fun.

CyBC in a statement said the song describes an abusive relationship and what it means to be a victim of this abuse. “The song represents the age-old battle between good and evil and it speaks of a problematic relationship between a man and woman who suffers from Stockholm Syndrome – the psychological condition when a victim of abuse identifies and bonds with their abuser – who seeks help to get out and the truth always shines.”

Cyprus will be staged with the help of Austrian artistic director Marvin Dietmann who helped Austria to a Eurovision triumph in 2014 with their song ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’.

The involvement of the Austrian creative highlights the Cypriot ambition to impress at this competition.

Elena Tsagrinou said, “My professional team is working extremely hard, with strict disciplined five-hour rehearsals every day for a while. My mindset feels like that of an athlete that is training for something huge, like this contest [translated].”

Mr Neophytou’s view, “Cyprus chances at qualifying are good and in a semi-final with competition in this genre. The catchier Cypriot song, and elevated staging helps to sell it, let’s hope the song qualifies.”

The Cypriot delegation will be quietly optimistic about their qualifying chances for a sixth year. The best ever runners-up result with Eleni Foureira’s ‘Fuego’ in 2018.

Elena is the star of the official music video with her dancing solo which suggests a complete package as a performance singer and stage artist. Her sassiness and seductive gazes are a nice, subtle touch, which the song requires. She is likeable, attractive, and telegenic which helps sell the song. Elena’s joined by her fellow male dancers as song climaxes, hoisted mid-air on the dancer’s shoulders.

Elena began her music career in 2008 as the lead soloist of the Greek band OtherView, before pursuing a solo career after she left them in 2018.

Cypriot chiefs have stuck to the successful formulae, of internally picking artist and song-package. Elena is signed to Panik Records one of Greece’s biggest music labels in Greece, and Cyprus, releasing many top hits from Cypriot and Greek artists which are everyday hits on the LGR air-waves.

Elena performs in the running order of 16 at slot number 8.

Cyprus competes in the First Eurovision Semi-Final which airs on Tuesday 18th May on BBC Four. The Top 10 qualifying counties through to the Final on Saturday 22nd May, on BBC One.

London Greek Radio wishes Elena and Cyprus the best of luck in the Eurovision.

Top 40 London Greek Radio Airplay Chart, APRIL 2021.
This month’s biggest, most in demand hit songs.
Spinning the best new hit music and current favourites…

London Greek Radio Est. 1989
Original. Authentic. Station

1 Konstantinos Christoforou S’ Ena Tetarto
2 Konstantinos Argiros – Paraskevi Proi [NEW]
3 Petros Iakovidis – Mou Lipses Poli
4 Panos Kalidis – San Trelos [NEW]
5 Anna Vissi – Loulaki
6 Josephine – Paliopaido
7 Nikos Vertis – Koita [NEW]
8 Katy Garbi, Dionisis Shinas – Atofio Hrisafi
9 Despina Vandi – Petra [NEW]
10 Melina Aslanidou, Glykeria – Ftani Kai Perisevi

11 Panos Kiamos, Anastasios Rammos – Sta Hirotera
12 Stan – Ki An
13 Giorgos Sampanis, Panos Katsimichas – Afto Pou Agapas
14 Stelios Rokkos – Den Fovithika
15 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Pote Tha Se Do
16 Haris Alexiou, Onirama – Ximeronei [NEW]
17 Melisses – Pou ‘nai I Agapi
18 Giorgos Kakosaios – I Mia
19 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Emena Na Akous
20 Dimitra Galani – O Vythos Sou [NEW]

21 Konstantinos Pantelidis – Kairo Tora Paei
22 Giannis Ploutarhos – Monos Mou
23 Natasa Theodoridou – Exapsi
24 Pegky Zina – Anatropi [NEW]
25 Lampis Livieratos – 15 Grammta [NEW]
26 Antonis Remos – Otan Se Rotisane
27 Christos Menidiatis – Teleftaia Agkalia
28 Konstantinos Argiros – Tha ‘mai Edo
29 Elena Tsagrinou – El Diablo [Cyprus Eurovision Song Contest 2021]
30 Stefania – Last Dance [Greece Eurovision Song Contest 2021]

31 Vasilis Karras – Lene Gia Mena
32 Ivi Adamou, Giorgos Mazonakis – Fotia Mou
33 Anastasios Rammos – Oti Ki An Kano
34 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Min Argeis
35 Freedom Fighters, Stamatis Gonidis, Vasilis Dimas – Siko Kai Zise [NEW]
36 Ioulia Kallimani, Stamatis Gonidis – Gynaika Einai
37 Konstantinos Pantelidis – Ki An Me Miso
38 Petros Iakovidis – Mi Thymoneis
39 Alkistis Protopsalti – Nikites Chamenoi
40 Stelios Dionisiou, Pix Lax – Diafani Agapi [NEW]

Your Top 20 Chart Hits
lgr.co.uk/chart/

Along with the Royal Family and the world, everyone at London Greek Radio, (LGR), mourns the loss of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, former Prince of Greece & Denmark.

Prince Philip – the Duke of Edinburgh – died at the age of 99 on 9th April 2021.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

Tributes have been pouring in from around the world.

The President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, said via Twitter, “It is with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a close friend of Cyprus. My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen, the @RoyalFamily and the people of the UK for their loss.”

Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, tweeted, “The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who was born in Corfu, served his country with devotion for many decades. I extend my warm condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the members of the @RoyalFamily and the British people.”

Archbishop Nikitas of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain also expressed their condolences, sorrow and mourning to Her Majesty and the United Kingdom. The Archdiocese has directed its Christ-loving clergy and laity to pray for the repose of the soul of Prince Philip and His Eminence has announced a three-day state of official mourning in parishes of the Archdiocese, as a sign of respect.

Prince Philip of Greece was born on 10th June 1921 on the Greek island of Corfu. His birth certificate shows the date as 28th May 1921, as Greece had not then adopted the Gregorian calendar.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes. His mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was the eldest child of Prince Louis of Battenberg and sister of Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Even though Philip was born into the Greek aristocracy, (he was the grandson of the country’s King George I), his childhood was a far cry from the opulence of the usual royal upbringing.

The king himself was shot dead in 1913 by a crazed anarchist with a loathing for the establishment. A proper political motive for the killing was ruled out at the time, with the assassin dismissed as just an intoxicated vagrant. Philip’s uncle took the crown as Constantine I, but his rule was to prove shockingly turbulent.

In 1922, Constantine I was forced from the throne by a military uprising, and the entire royal family came under threat. They were forced into exile on a British boat, with the infant Philip transported in an orange box. They went to France, beginning a life of travelling and uncertainty for the boy.

Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947 in front of 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey.

In 2017, Prince Philip and the Queen became the first British monarch and consort to reach their 70th wedding anniversary.

Together they had four children, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

LGR understands that Prince Philip will lie at rest in Windsor Castle in line with his wishes following his funeral, which will be at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Following a number of health scares in recent years, it is thought Prince Philip has had a lot of say in his funeral.

According to reports, Prince Philip wished for only family, friends and heads of state from Commonwealth countries to attend the funeral.

The College of Arms has confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral will not be a state funeral and the public has been asked not to attempt to attend any of the funeral events due to the pandemic.

London Greek Radio (LGR) is deeply saddened on learning of this news and we join the Royal Family in mourning the loss of HRH, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

1921 – 2021. May he rest in peace.

Everyone at LGR was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Neophytos Nicolaou on Sunday 21st February 2021. He was 74.

Neophytos was battling with Coronavirus at the University College Hospital in London after being transferred from the North London Middlesex Hospital. He had been initially admitted on 9th January and transferred to the UCH on 16th January.

We understand that Neophytos’ wife Evoulla also contracted Covid-19 and was also taken to North Middlesex Hospital. She has since recovered and has returned home.

Neophytos Nicolaou was the former General Manager of the newspaper Parikiaki and one of the main organisers of the annual Cypriot Wine Festival.

He leaves behind his wife Evoulla, daughter Egli and son Alex. His daughter Maria died five years ago at the age of 46.

He also leaves six grandchildren: Jimmy, Stephanie, Leo, Zoe, Evie and Chris, and three sisters: Maro, Savoulla and Lalla who live in Cyprus.

Neophytos was born in Erimi, Cyprus on 11th December 1946 to Nikola and Egli and was part of a family of nine. His siblings were three brothers, Alexandros, Antonaki and Koko, and three sisters, Maroulla, Savoulla and Lalla.

He attended Lanition Gymnasium in Limassol and came to the UK in May 1963 at the age of 16. He first lived in Kentish Town and studied at Pitmans College.

His wife, Evoulla was from Limassol and they got married on 17th August 1969, living in Palmers Green.

He worked in the rag trade for several years and later became General Manager of Parikiaki. In addition, Neophytos was the Organising Secretary for AKEL in Britain and was General Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK.

In his later years, Neophytos was instrumental in raising thousands of pounds for charity, notably Radiomarathon, where he was made a Trustee. He last visited LGR just weeks beforehand, over the Christmas period and briefly spoke with management.

The funeral will take place on 25 March 2021 at St Mary’s Cathedral, (Panayia), Wood Green at 1pm, followed by the burial at Edmonton Cemetery, Church Street at 3pm. Due to current pandemic restrictions, the attendance at the church will be by invitations only.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations that will go to organisations / charities that were close to Neophytos heart.

Everyone at LGR extend their condolences to the family and we thank him for his services to our community and to Radiomarathon.

Top 40 London Greek Radio Airplay Chart, February 2021.

The Chart is comprised of play-lists, with the best new music and spinning some of our favourite tunes from the last year.

London Greek Radio Est. 1989.
The original station you know, tunes you trust

1 Antonis Remos – Otan Se Rotisane
2 Petros Iakovidis – Mi Thimoneis
3 Ivi Adamou Feat. Giorgos Mazonakis – Fotia Mou
4 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Emena Na Akous
5 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Min Argeis
6 Stamatis Gonidis & Ioulia Kallimani – Gynaika Einai
7 Natasa Theodoridou – Paradothika Se Sena
8 Giorgos Sabanis, Panos Katsimichas – Afto Pou Agapas
9 Melisses – Pou Nai I Agapi [NEW/EXCLUSIVE]
10 Konstantinos Argiros – Tha ‘Mai Edo

11 Vasilis Karras – Lene Gia Mena [new version]
12 Yianna Terzi Feat. Paschalis Terzis – Gia Sena Mono
13 Loukas Giorkas – Mou Eleipses Poly [NEW]
14 Dionysis Schoinas – Xsipnisa Kapos
15 Helena Paparizou – Se Xeno Soma
16 Anastasios Rammos – Oti Ki An Kano
17 Konstantinos Argiros – Athina Mou
18 Giorgos Livanis – Na Eisai Eftychismeni [NEW] 
19 Sakis Rouvas – Yperanthropos [NEW]
20 Eleonora Zouganeli – Stathero [NEW]

21 Natasa Theodoridou – Exapsi [NEW]
22 Elli Kokkinou – Ti Echo Travixei [NEW]
23 Alcatrash – Terma Ta Psemata
24 Stamatis Gonidis – Den Se Thelo [NEW]
25 Stan – Paidi Tou Cheimona [NEW]
26 Konstantinos Pantelidis – Ki An Me Miso [NEW]
27 Panos Kiamos – Eipa Ki Ego
28 Helena Paparizou [Feat. Marseaux] – Deja Vu [NEW]
29 Valantis – Tote [NEW]
30 Themis Adamantidis – Afto To Ligo [NEW]

31 Nikos Vertis Feat. Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
32 Christos Menidiatis – Mporei
33 Thodoris Ferris – Paraskevi [NEW]
34 Jospehine – Ego
35 Konstantinos Christoforou – S’ Ena Tetarto [NEW]
36 Stelios Rokkos – Den Fovithika
37 Alkistis Protopsalti – Nikites Chamenoi [NEW]
38 Christina Salti – Mporei
39 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Skase Ena Fili
40 Giorgos Sampanis – Agia Thalassa

Your Top 20 Chart Hits
lgr.co.uk/chart/

It’s been reported this week that 630 British Cypriots have died in relation to Coronavirus.

The weekly Parikiaki newspaper which has continued to print it’s circulation during the pandemic have been providing regular updates. The latest figures were published as of 11th February 2021, however it is not known whether the deceased have died directly from Coronavirus or whether they had tested positive for the virus, but died of other causes.

The newspaper has contacted hospitals, churches, funeral directors, Turkish Cypriot media and community, plus requests for their weekly death announcements, and confirmed 630 British Cypriots have died, with 9 deaths of UK Cypriots in the past week.

Reportedly, in London alone, at least 9 Cypriot families have lost loved ones to the disease, of which 5 were Greek-Cypriots and 4 Turkish-Cypriots.

This is the lowest recorded weekly figure recorded since almost two months by the London news outlet.

According to Parikiaki’s calculations the deceased are as follows:-

British Greek Cypriots – 311
British Turkish Cypriots – 270
British Maronite Cypriot – 1

[Which includes 12 cases of married couples, 2 cases of two brothers and 2 cases of fathers and sons and 1 of mother and daughter and 4 under 40 year olds.]

All of the above are from the London area with 12 additional Greek-Cypriot deaths and 1 Turkish-Cypriot in Birmingham, 1 in Cambridge, 1 in Cardiff, 2 in Cheltenham, 1 in Colchester, 2 in Coventry, 1 in Derby, 1 in Hemel Hempstead, 1 in Glasgow, 2 in Leeds, 1 in Leicester, 6 Greek-Cypriots and 1 Maronite-Cypriot in Liverpool, 1 in Lowestoft, 1 in Luton, 1 in Maidstone, 1 in Manchester, 1 in Mansfield, 1 in Margate, 1 in Middlesbrough, 1 in Newport, 1 in Northampton, 1 in Suffolk, 1 in Southend, 1 in Wakefield, 3 Greek-Cypriots (from the same family) in Weston-super-Mare.

The figure includes 582 in London and 48 outside London.

With 2,392,293 deaths worldwide, the above total of 630 British Cypriot deaths equates to 0.026% of deaths globally and 0.54% of deaths in the UK.

Cyprus currently has 32,288 cases of positive tests for Coronavirus with 219 deaths and so far, 2,057 have recovered from the disease, (just over 6%).

In Greece, of 170,244 cases, 6,077 people have died and 150,901 have recovered, (just over 88% so far).

Globally, from the 108,702,417 who have tested positive for the disease, 80,699,989 have recovered and 2,392,293 have died. [Just over 74% recovery rate so far and 2.2% spot-on who have died worldwide.]

The 108,702,2992, confirmed worldwide cases represents 1.38% of the world’s population who have been diagnosed with Coronavirus.

London Greek Radio (LGR) expresses our sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those who have sadly died during the pandemic and continuing to work with various organisations to help and support our communities at this challenging time.

John Kyriakides, Chairman of LGR said, “The LGR family are working hard to keep listeners informed, entertained and updated during this unprecedented time. I am saddened to hear of so many deaths in our communities.”

Tony Jay, Managing Director for LGR added, “LGR will continue to promote cross-partnership initiatives to help our listeners and communities. Our work to communicate the help that is available is more important than ever because we all have a role to play in fighting this virus.”

Information credited and attributed to Parikiaki newspaper and worldometers.info

Figures correct at time of publication 00:30 on Saturday 13th February 2121.

The Top 100 “Best Songs” of 2020 on LGR

LGR announces the “Best Songs of 2020” after whittling down from 100’s of really great songs…

We kick off our end of 2020 music coverage with LGR’s favourite songs, with our listeners, radio presenters/producers, and play-lists comprised the Chart rundown. “The list has been whittled down from a not very shortlist of 100’s of song releases. This is the “definitive” Chart rundown…” LGR’s Tony Neophytou explained.

“LGR play-lists and music have been fantastic, with different styles and genres. The feel-good moments that shone a light in a dark year. Modern Laika, Greek Pop, Laikes Mpalantes, Zeimbekika, melodic and up-tempo have been impressive”. Tony said.

Have your favourite artists and songs made it to the Chart…?  

Zeimbekiko favourite Konstantinos Argiros with ‘Athina Mou’ was a lockdown theme song for our fellow-Athenians, with its poignant lyrics and emotional bouzouki.  The up-tempo banger Natasa Theodoridou’s ‘Paradokitha Se Sena’ shot straight to the top 10 of the chart.  The inspired-duets, father-and-daughter Yianna Terzi and Paschalis Terzis, with modern-folk song ‘Gia Sena’ was another listener favourite. Stamatis Gonidis and Ioulia Kalimeni released the highly requested ‘Gynaika Einai’, just weeks before the year ended. Nikos Vertis and Amir, with ‘I Lexi S’ Agapo’ turned on charm factor with the Greek-French linguistic ballad.

London Greek Radio, with best new music and modern classics, to timeless favourites, on the original station you know. The tunes you trust.

1 Konstantinos Argiros – Athina Mou
2 Yianna Terzi Feat. Paschalis Terzis – Gia Sena
3 Nikos Vertis Feat. Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
4 Stamatis Gonidis & Ioulia Kallimani – Gynaika Einai
5 Petros Iakovidis – Sagapao Sou Fonaksa
6 Natasa Theodoridou – Paradothika Se Sena
7 Giorgos Sabanis – Agria Thalassa
8 Melisses – Misi Kardia
9 Michalis Hatzgiannis – Min Argeis
10 Giorgos Sabanis Feat. Panos Katsimihas – Afto Pou Agapas
11 Panos Kiamos – Eipa Ke Ego
12 Giorgos Mazonakis – Ores Mikres
13 Helena Paparizou – Se Xeno Soma
14 Antonis Remos – Otan Se Rotisane
15 Petros Imvrios Feat. Triantafillos – Pame
16 Andromachai – S’ Agapo
17 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Emena Na Akous
18 Melina Aslanidou – Den Vazeis Mialo
19 Kaiti Garbi Feat. Antonis Remos – Kivotos [2020 version]
20 Petros Iakovidis – Min Thimonis
21 Josephine – Ego
22 Konstantinos Argiros – Tha ‘Mai Edo
22 Ilias Vrettos – Mono Ego
23 Kelly Kelekidou [Feat. Stamatis Kraounakis]- Vasanizome
24 Nikos Apergis – Ego O Dinatos
25 Anastasios Rammos – O,ti Ki An Kano
26 Ivi Adamou Feat. Giorgos Mazonakis – Fotia Mou
27 Stan – Na Ksanartheis
28 Nikos Vertis – Poso Me Pligoses
29 Loukas Yiorkas – Pame Ap’ Tin Arxi [Radio Edit], DJ Pietro Official RMX
30 Dionisis Schinas & Stan – Ola Tha Pane Kala
31 Despina Vandi – Ena Tsigaro Diadromi
32 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Agapi Mou [Radio Edit], DJ Pietro Official RMX
33 Christina Salti – Mporei
34 Christos Menidiatis – Mporei
35 Eleni Foureira – Temperatura
36 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Horevo
37 Nikiforos – Ke Ligo Ligo
38 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
39 Knock Out – Ah Ntina (Bika Karantina)
40 Giorgos Mazonakis – Dianikterevo
41 Giorgos Sabanis – Allaxe Ta Ola
42 Kostas Karafotis – Afiste Me Oloi Stin Trella Mou
43 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Skase Ena Fili
44 Ilias Vrettos – Ton Anthropos To Lathos
45 Paola – Flitzani
46 Giannis Ploutarhos – Pernas Kala
47 Eleni Foureira – Dokimase Me
48 Helena Paparizou – Mila Mou
49 Onirama – Ax Na Se Ksexnaga
50 Peggy Zina – Eilikrina
51 Antonis Remos – Ola Ta Dakrya
52 Stan – Den Ftais Esi
53 Ilias Kampakakis – Me Anasa Kommeni
54 Giorgos Kakosaios – Erotas Moiazei
55 Panos Kiamos – Dyo Metra Ourano
56 Christos Menidiatis – Dio Dromi
57 Vasilis Karras – Rotas An S’ Eho Erotefthi
58 Eleni Foureira – Yayo
59 Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteftika
60 Giannis Vardis, Giorgos Lianos – Emeis I Dio
61 Makis Dimakis – Giafta Ta Matia
62 Nikos Apergis – Mia Kyriaki
63 Stan – Ftaiei
64 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
65 Malu Feat. Giannis Vorias – Eisai Pantou Kai Pouthena
66 Alexis Prevenas – Stavroulla [Haperis & Pantzis]
67 Giannis Kotsiras – Tin Amartia Mou Tin Leo
68 Stavento [Feat. Themis Adamantidis] – Na Diadothi
69 Sakis Rouvas – I Mesa Mou Thalassa
70 Alcatrash – Terma Ta Psemata (OtherView & Sergio T)
71 Elena Tsagrakinou – Amore
75 Paola – Ametanoiti
72 Τamta, Mente Fuerte – Den Eisai Edo
73 Thanasis Vasilakos – Ouranio Toxo
74 Dimos Anastasiadis – Mi Hanomaste
75 Paola – Ametanoiti
76 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Diskola Ta Pragmata
77 Thodoris Ferris – Kapse
78 Kaiti Garbi – S’ Opoion Areso
79 Elli Kokkinou – Na Tin Agapas
80 Dionisis Schinas – Allazo
81 Konstantinos Pantelidis – Ki An Me Miso
82 Stelios Rokkos – Den Fovithika
83 Helena Paparizou, Sakis Rouvas – Etsi Einai I Fasi
84 Stefania – Superg!rl [Greece Eurovision Song Contest]
85 Panos Psaltis – Omorfia Mou
86 Amaryllis – Mono Esi
87 Black Vybez x Mihalis Megaloudis – Me Miras Cantado
88 Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vrady
89 Dionisis Schinas – Ksipnisa Kapos
90 Christos Cholidis – Tha Girizo
91 Alcatrash – Xana
92 Giorgos Livanis – Pou Kai Pou
93 Giorgos Kakosaios – Einai Xristougenna…giafto 
94 Thanos Petrelis – Kounia Mpela [Valentino RMX]
95 Sasa Basta Feat. Alexis Prevenas – Mia Moderna Apo Tin Athena
96 Kostas Karafotis – Tries Ta Ximeromata
97 Malou – Agyristo Kefali
98 Giorgos Tsalikis – To Kommeno Mou Tsigaro
99 Giorgos Giannias – An Figeis
100 Dimitris Karadimos – Erotas

London-Cypriot singer Kyriacos Georgiou has spoken with London Greek Radio about his new single, ‘Den Mporo’ with Bulgarian songstress, Emanuela. The talented home-grown artist has been leading a successful solo career in Athens for several years and spoke with LGR’s Tony Neophytou.

The music video which was uploaded to the Planeta official YouTube channel has surpassed an impressive 3.6 million views since it was released on 1st October.

The tsifteteli-ethnic pop track with Bulgarian percussion has catchy hooks making it a club and radio friendly hit.  

Kyriacos told his manager his idea to release a new song while in lockdown.

The 27-year-old told LGR: “After one-week release, we managed to surpass 1.2 million views and was number #1 trending on Bulgaria YouTube and ranked first on the Top 50 Bulgarian pop/chalga folk music charts.”

Speaking about his collaboration, Mr Georgiou added, “Emanuela is a pop/folk Bulgarian artist who has had over 20 hits and has been in the industry for years. Our music producer and hit maker in Bulgaria, Daniel Ganev wanted to produce a Greek/Bulgarian duet and suggested it to both of us.  I previously worked with Daniel Ganev on my last hit in Bulgaria, which was Anelia and called ‘Pos Tin Ides’ which has now had 7.7 million views.”

 Both singers worked on the creative and artistic video together, which is implicitly sensual and seductive and compliments the song. 

“We heard the song and thought it would be an instant success.” Kyriacos explained. “I instantly clicked with Emanuela and got on with her really well. We both put many ideas on the table in regards to shooting the video and combining the lyrics together so that they would make sense. It was a pleasure working with such a well-known artist once again in Bulgaria.”

LGR’s Tony Neophytou asked Kyriacos about the creative challenge of life in lockdown and what affect it had. 

“It’s been a very difficult period for all of us; artists, performers, singers, entertainment industry, as you’re not able to perform. A lot of friends and co-writers are really down at this moment in time. You have to stay positive, pray for better days.  We have to get back on the stage, entertain and make people happy, to enjoy life, because life is short.”

He added, “In lockdown I felt myself getting depressed because all of a sudden I went from a sold out summer tour with Natasa Theodoridou and Stan, to then going into a lockdown, not being able to perform or travel, is a big shock. Also not knowing when we, as artists, will be able to perform again was even more frustrating. I am grateful to God I found the energy and enthusiasm to make this new single with Emanuela.”

In his spare time, Kyriacos enjoys the gym and tries to stay healthy.  He also enjoys acoustic unplugged sessions with friends in London.

Kyriacos is patiently waiting for the re-start of bouzoukia, once the social distancing restrictions in Athens are eased.

“I have now booked a tour with Emanuela in Bulgaria and will be travelling back and forth for live shows until things get better and the entertainment industry opens back up in Greece.”

Kyriacos had acknowledged the help of the ‘LGR Music Awards’ of his fledging career. “LGR event opened up a lot of routes for me in terms of getting to Greece, to record labels. Meanwhile, Giorgos Papadopoulos, the Cypriot star singer-song-writer at this event, wrote a couple of singles for me in 2013-14 when I moved to Greece. All this came through LGR. A huge Thank you to LGR for helping me out back then in my earlier days”.

Follow @KyriacosGeorgiou on Instagram for updates.

Greek artist Konstantinos Argiros has one of the biggest hits right now with the beautiful ‘Athina Mou‘.

It’s an emotional ‘zeimbekiko’ with a timeless nostalgia harking back to the golden age of rebetiko and the roots of classic Greek Laika.

The song seems to be a massive hit with our listeners and radio presenters alike gaining a dominate foothold on the London Greek Radio air-play chart.

The melancholic zeimbekiko song has a ‘feel good’ sound with a strong evocation of patriotic sentiment about the Athenian capital and is about searching for a “long-lost love”.

The melody and lyrical depth compliment the sense of nostalgia, although there is a social conscious undertone due to it being released at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The lyrics and music are written by Lefteris Kintatos whose inspiration was the silenced streets of Athens where local Athenians obeyed the stay-at-home lockdown.

The song starts with a few lines of a rain-soaked Saturday night in the Grecian capital. The verse in the song reminisces this along with a barely audible “barrel piano” from the “jasmine and night flowers smell from the balconies”.

The chorus sings, “It’s been months since you’ve been away from me, and the baby doll I had in my shop window is fading away, but I’m desperately looking for you, in my Athens.”

It is a pain exacerbated with the verse, “The bell at Lampadiaris Church is ringing mournfully, it’s like it’s saying we lost once again today…”

In the music video, Argiros is cast in the role of a working-class man with a deeply felt-sadness as he dances a slow-zeimbekiko in a quaint taverna. The video, directed by Giannis Dimolitsa, is atmospheric and captures the taverna scene with the nostalgia and romanticism that is bellowing beneath the song.

The video appears to be an ode to the classic film “Evdokia” from 1971 by Alexis Damianos from which the legendary “Zeimbekiko Tis Evdokias”, written by Manos Loizos, became known.

Tune in to LGR to hear the song, ‘Athina Mou’ and more of today’s biggest Greek hits on 103.3 FM in London, DAB+ in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, at lgr.co.uk and here: ‘Alexa, Play London Greek Radio’.

Top 30 LGR Official UK Airplay Chart.
June 2nd to June 29th inclusive.

London Greek Radio Official UK Airplay Chart, with some of the biggest, most in demand hits in the chart.

The rankings are based on radio airplay detection as measured by the “Radio Monitor” of UK-wide popular stations. 

1 Petros Iakovidis – S’ Agapo Sou Fonaxa
2 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
3 Ilias Vrettos – Mono Ego
4 Konstantinos Argiros – Athina Mou
5 Nikos Vertis Feat. Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
6 Panos Kiamos – Tha Perasi
7 Christina Salti Feat. Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
8 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Agapi Mou
9 Natassa Theodoridou – Paradothika Se ‘ena
10 Kostas Karafotis – Afiste Me Oloi Stin Trela Mou

11 Giorgos Mazonakis – Oinopnevma Ftino
12 Alcatrash – Xana
13 Michalis Xatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
14 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
15 Konstantinos Koufos – Parasyromai
16 Kaiti Garbi – Ilios De Vgainei An Den Peis Kalimera
17 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Skase Ena Fili
18 Konstantinos Galanos – Gia Mia Matia
19 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
20 Christos Menidiatis – Dyo Dromoi

21 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Valto Terma
22 Elli Kokkinou – Taxe Mou
23 Stan – Den Ftais Esy
24 Kaiti Garbi Feat. Antonis Remos – Kivotos
25 Josephine – Magia
26 Kostas Doxas – Diva
27 Panos Kiamos – Fotia Me Fotia
28 Mihalis Xatzigiannis Feat. Thanasis Alevras – Saitias
29 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
30 Christos Mastoras – Den Echo Idea

Information and statistics credited to “Radio Monitor”.

Source: London Greek Radio Official UK Airplay Chart.

Top 20 Greek Hits here: lgr.co.uk/chart/ and hear a few snippets, to some of our favourite songs.