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Key Information

Dimitris T. Kontopoulos (Greek: Δημήτρης Κοντόπουλος; born November 9, 1971) is a Greek composer.

Personal life

[edit]

Dimitris Kontopoulos was born in Athens, Greece on November 9, 1971.[1][2] After graduating from the Ziridis school, he continued his studies in film scoring at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California.[2]

Kontopoulos is married and has two children.

Career

[edit]

Kontopoulos became active in the music industry in 1999–2000.[1][2] In 1999 he released as a producer the album 'Etsi ime ego' by Iro. The singles of the album 'Etsi eime ego' and 'Tipota' topped the Greek charts making the producer famous nationally. In 2001, he released the second album of Iro as a producer and composer. The singles 'Apogeiosi', 'Etsi eine oi sxeseis' and 'Moni mou' also topped the charts. In 2002, he produced and composed the album of Giannis Vardis. The first single of the album 'Gia ena lepto' topped all charts and remained at the first spot of the National Airplay Chart for over 12 weeks. In 2003 he became involved with the Eurovision Song Contest when he wrote the song "Mia Stigmi" sung by Giannis Vardis. The song competed in the national final to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, but came in second place to Mando and 'Never Let You Go' which went to Eurovision. Though the entry did not win the national final, it topped the charts in Greece for 11 weeks.[1] Also in 2003 he started to compose the music for a movie of the famous Greek director Nikos Perakis. The song of the movie 'Meine mazi mou apopse' reached the number one position in the charts. In 2004 he composes the song 'Esena mono' for famous Greek singer Katy Garbi.

In 2005, Kontopoulos again wrote a song for Eurovision, but this time for Russia. "Shadows" performed by Anastasia Stotskaya placed third in the Russian national final.[1] In 2006 Kontopoulos composed the score of the popular television series 'Loufa kai Parallagi'. The song of the 'Pano stin trela mou' won the first spot of the Annual National Airplay Chart.

In 2006, with Greece hosting the Eurovision Song Contest after Elena Paparizou's victory with the song "My number one", he once again tried to take part in the Greek final as a composer, this time for Anna Vissi. That year, the Greek audience selected four songs including "Welcome to the party" written by Kontopoulos. At the national final, the song came in second with Nikos Karvelas's 'Everything' going to the contest.

In 2007, Kontopoulos composed the song 'Ola giro sou girizoun' for Sakis Rouvas. The song remained for more than a year in the top 50 of the National Airplay Chart.

Having taken a break in 2007, Kontopoulos returned with the dance pop song 'Always and forever' sung by Kostas Martakis. At the national final, the song came in second but it entered for many years the playlist of international Abercrombie and Fitch stores. In 2008 he produced the song 'Shady Lady' composed by Philipp Kirkorov and performed by Ani Lorak who represented Ukraine at the Eurovision song contest and placed second.

In 2009 Kontopoulos composed the song ' Kai se thelo' for Sakis Rouvas. It remained at the first spot of the National Airplay chart for 8 weeks and the song became a cover in Bulgaria and Estonia. In 2009 Kontopoulos also produced and composed the album 'Solnce' of Ani Lorak. For the song 'Solnce' of the album he won a Russian Grammy award in the Golden Grammofon awards at the Kremlin. On July 19, 2008, it was announced that Dimitris Kontopoulos would be the composer for Sakis Rouvas and Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. He composed three songs: 'Out of control', 'Right on Time', and 'This is our night' which were voted on at the national final in February 2009.[3] The song titled 'This is our night' got the most votes and thus represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, which took place in Moscow. After the results of the jury and the tele-voting were announced, the song was placed seventh on the final scoreboard. In 2010 he released a new song for Sakis Rouvas titled 'Spase ton hrono'. The song topped the Greek charts for months. In March 2010 Kontopoulos became a member of the jury of the Greek Idol show. In September 2010 Kontopoulos released the new song of Sakis Rouvas called 'Parafora'. The song was in the number one spot of the National Airplay Chart for weeks. In December of the same year Kontopoulos released the ballad 'Einai stigmes', performed by Antonis Remos. In February 2011 Sakis Rouvas released his new song 'Oi dyo mas' by Kontopoulos. In March the song topped the National Airplay chart becoming the 6th song of the duo Kontopoulos/Rouvas that topped the charts. In September 2011, the three top Greek male artists released songs of Dimitris Kontopoulos: Antonis Remos released as a single the song "Tora Epizo", Sakis Rouvas the song "Kane na mi sagapiso" and Michalis Hatzigiannis performed the song "Axizo" of the movie "Loufa kai parallagi: Seirines stun Steria".

In summer 2012 Kontopoulos composed the song "Poses hiliades kalokairia" sung by Demy.In December 2012 Michalis Hatzigiannis and hip hop artist Midenistis performed the song of Kontopoulos "Se ena toixo" which remained for 15 weeks at the first place of the National Airplay chart. In January 2013 Dimitris Kontopoulos composed the song "H agapi erxete sto telos" for the advertisement of Lacta chocolate, the song was performed by Antonis Remos stayed for 4 months on the second place of the national airplay chart while the advertisement won 3 Cannes Lions awards as the best advertisement of the decade. In December 2013 Helena Paparizou released his song "Iroas" that entered the top 10 National Airplay chart for 4 weeks while a week later one of the most popular Greek artists Despina Vandi released his song "Hano esena". The song remained at the first place of the Greek airplay chart for 11 weeks. In February 2014 it was announced that Kontopoulos will be the mentor of Vandi at the Greek edition of the Voice TV show.

In May 2013 Dimitris Kontopoulos participated at the Eurovision Song Contest with Azerbaijan. His song "Hold me" performed by Farid Mammadov came second with 234 points, the most points that Azerbaijan has ever received at the Eurovision Song Contest.While it received the maximum 12 points from 10 countries.
Kontopoulos is one of the two composers of the song "Shine" of The Tolmachevy Sisters which took part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 for Russia.

In May 2016 Dimitris Kontopoulos participated at the Eurovision Song Contest with Russia. His song "You're the only one" performed by Sergey Lazarev came third with 491 points, despite winning the televote. In 2017, he was the composer for Demy and Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. He composed three songs: "Where the time comes around", "Angels", and "This is love" which were voted on at the national final in March 2017. The song titled "This is love" got the most votes and thus represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, which took place in Kyiv. After the results of the jury and the tele-voting were announced, the song was placed 19th on the final, the second-worst result that Kontopoulos has ever had at the Eurovision Song Contest as composer. He got his worst result 2018 with the song "X my heart" by Aisel Məmmədova which became 11th in the first semi final and did not qualify.

In the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 he was more successful with a 3th place in the grand final for the song Scream by Sergey Lazarev. In 2020 he won the Moldovian pre-selection O melodie pentru Europa for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song Prison by Natalia Gordienko. He also wrote the song "SUPERG!RL" for the Greek singer Stefania. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic the contest was cancelled and the songs did not compete on stage.

For the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 he wrote the songs "Sugar" for Natalia Gordienko (Moldova) and "Last dance" for Stefania (Greece). Both qualified for the Grand final and "Sugar" became 13th, "Last dance" 10th, the first Top-10 position for Greece since 2013. He was chosen to write the Cypriot entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024,[4] tying the record for authoring Eurovision entries for the highest number of countries (seven) with Thomas G:son.[5]

Kontopoulos has to-date composed and produced 14 albums, out of which 8 have gone platinum and two of those twice platinum.[6]

[edit]
Main article: Bayatılar
See also: Eldar Mansurov

Mansurov sued Dimitris Kontopulos (composer) and Sony Music Entertainment Hellas AE (publisher) for stealing his original work in 2011. The Greek court said that the similarity between 2 songs are more than 50 percent. The entire process finished in 2023 in favor of Mansurov.[7][8][9][10][11]

Awards

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  • 2003 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Pop Album "Apogiosi", Iro
  • 2006 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Pop Song "Pano Stin Trela Mou", Vanesa Adamopoulou
  • 2006 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Soundtrack OST "Loufa & Paralagi"
  • 2007 Arion Award (IFPI) Best Pop Song "Ola Gyro Sou Girizoun", Sakis Rouvas

Production discography

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Eurovision Song Contest

[edit]
Country Year Song Artist Place Points Marcel Bezençon Awards
 Belarus 2007 "Work Your Magic" Dmitry Koldun 6 145
 Ukraine 2008 "Shady Lady" Ani Lorak 2 230 Artistic Award
 Greece 2009 "This Is Our Night" Sakis Rouvas 7 120
 Azerbaijan 2013 "Hold Me" Farid Mammadov 2 234 Artistic Award
 Russia 2014 "Shine" Tolmachevy Sisters 7 89
 Russia 2016 "You Are the Only One" Sergey Lazarev 3 491 Press Award
 Greece 2017 "This Is Love" Demy 19 77
 Azerbaijan 2018 "X My Heart" Aisel Failed to qualify
 Russia 2019 "Scream" Sergey Lazarev 3 369
 Greece 2020 "Superg!rl" Stefania Cancelled
 Moldova "Prison" Natalia Gordienko
 Greece 2021 "Last Dance" Stefania 10 170
 Moldova "Sugar" Natalia Gordienko 13 115
 Cyprus 2024 "Liar" Silia Kapsis 15 78
2025 "Shh" Theo Evan Failed to qualify

Production credits

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Eurovision Pre-Selections

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Movies

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  • "I Liza kai i alli"
  • "Vitsia gynaikon"
  • "Dekapentaugoustos"
  • "E.D.E.M."
  • "Apoliti Stigmi"
  • "Giro Giro Oloi"
  • "Money Go Round"
  • "The Midnight Kicker"
  • "How To Escape"
  • "Christmas Gift"
  • "Trapped"
  • "Loufa kai paralagi, sirines sto Aigaio"
  • "Psyhraimia"

Theatre

[edit]
  • "Kammena Vourla"
  • Ta paidia stin exousia"
  • "Oliki Eklipsi"
  • Ta dakria tis Kleitemnistras"
  • "Franky and Johnny"

TV

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  • "Schedon pote"
  • "Ola edo plirononte"

Commercial

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  • Bold & Ogilvy
  • Leousi
  • Status
  • AudioVisual
  • Kino
  • Stefi
  • Anosi
  • Red Code
  • Ekso
  • Max
  • Foss
  • Comrade
  • Modiano
  • Studio ATA
  • Upstream

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dimitris Kontopoulos

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Dimitris Kontopoulos is a Greek , songwriter, and , renowned for his contributions to contemporary Greek and his extensive involvement in the . Born on November 9, 1971, in , , to a family of shipowners, Kontopoulos graduated from the Ziridis Educational Institution before pursuing studies in film scoring at in and the in . His career began in the late , producing albums for artists such as Iro and Giannis Vardis, and he has since composed and produced for prominent Greek performers including , , , Elena Paparizou, and , resulting in 14 albums with eight achieving platinum status (two double platinum). Kontopoulos has also scored music for films directed by Nikos Perakis and television series like Loufa kai Parallagi (2006), while collaborating internationally with artists from , , , , and . In the , he holds the distinction of composing entries for the most countries—eight in total—including (2007, "Work Your Magic," 6th place), (2008, "Shady Lady," 2nd place), (2009, "This Is Our Night," 7th place; 2017, "This Is Love," 19th place; 2020, "Superg!rl"; 2021, "Last Dance," 10th place), (2013, "Hold Me," 2nd place; 2018, "X My Heart"), (2014, "Shine," 7th place; 2016, "You Are the Only One," 3rd place; 2019, "Scream," 3rd place), (2020, "Prison"; 2021, "Sugar"), (2021, "The Lucky One"), and (2024, "Liar," 12th place). Notable compositions include hits like "Etsi eime ego," "Gia ena lepto," "Ola giro sou girizoun," and "This Is Our Night," and he received the Golden Grammofon award (Russian Grammy) in 2009 for the song "Solnce." In 2025, he co-composed Cyprus's entry "Shh" for the contest in , performed by Theo Evan, which finished 11th in the first semi-final.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Dimitris Kontopoulos was born on November 9, 1971, in , . He was raised in a family of ship owners in the bustling capital city during the and , a time when was undergoing significant post-war modernization and cultural revival following the end of in 1974. This environment, amid 's and economic growth, provided a backdrop for his early years. Kontopoulos's initial interests during childhood are not extensively documented. This personal foundation preceded his formal academic pursuits in the field.

Academic training in music

Dimitris Kontopoulos completed his secondary education at Ziridis School in before pursuing higher studies in music abroad. He relocated to the to specialize in film scoring. He began his formal training at the in , , enrolling in its film scoring program. This curriculum emphasized practical skills in composing and arranging music for visual media, including techniques for diverse ensembles and the use of digital audio workstations for production and synthesis. Kontopoulos's time at Berklee, during the , immersed him in an innovative American educational approach that integrated classical with emerging digital technologies, shaping his versatile scoring style. Following his studies at Berklee, Kontopoulos advanced his expertise at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in , focusing on screen scoring program. There, he honed advanced film scoring techniques, such as synthesizing orchestral elements with electronic production and live sessions for media . The program's rigorous training in the Hollywood-centric environment further refined his abilities in digital audio manipulation and large-scale , preparing him for professional media composition.

Professional career

Early productions and breakthroughs

Dimitris Kontopoulos entered the Greek music industry as a producer in 1999, marking his debut with the album Etsi Eimai Ego by the artist Iro. He handled production for the project, which featured singles "Etsi Eimai Ego" and "Tipota" that topped the Greek charts and contributed to the album's commercial success. This release established Kontopoulos as an emerging talent in the pop scene, showcasing his ability to craft catchy, chart-topping tracks. Building on this momentum, Kontopoulos produced and composed Iro's follow-up album Apogiosi in 2001, generating further hits with singles such as "Apogeiosi," "Etsi Enei Oi Sxeseis," and "Mone Mou," all of which reached number one on Greek charts. These efforts solidified his reputation for delivering high-impact pop productions tailored to the local market. The consistent chart dominance of these tracks highlighted his growing influence in Greece's burgeoning pop landscape during the early . In 2002, Kontopoulos achieved another breakthrough by producing and composing the album Pes Mou Ti Niothis for veteran artist Giannis Vardis. The , "Gia Ena Lepto," dominated the charts, holding the top position for over 12 weeks and becoming one of the year's defining hits in Greek pop. This project not only boosted Vardis's career but also underscored Kontopoulos's versatility in blending contemporary pop elements with accessible melodies. Around this period, Kontopoulos established Vox Recording Studios in as his primary production base, enabling greater control over his creative process. His early style drew from film scoring techniques learned during studies at , incorporating orchestral influences into pop arrangements for a more dynamic sound. These foundational works laid the groundwork for his rise in the Greek music industry.

Key collaborations in Greek music

Throughout his career, Dimitris Kontopoulos has established significant partnerships with prominent Greek artists, serving as composer and producer for singers including Despina Vandi, Anna Vissi, Sakis Rouvas, Antonis Remos, Elena Paparizou, and Michalis Hatzigiannis. These collaborations have been central to his contributions within the domestic Greek music scene, where he has composed and produced 14 albums up to the mid-2010s, eight of which earned platinum certifications in Greece and two achieved double platinum status. Key examples highlight the commercial impact of these partnerships. For Despina Vandi's 2014 album De Me Stamatises, Kontopoulos composed the hit single "Hano Esena," which became a chart-topping success and helped propel the album to platinum certification in , selling over 12,000 units. Similarly, his work on Anna Vissi's 2005 album included tracks like "Welcome to the Party," contributing to the project's rapid platinum status within 24 hours of release and its peak at number one on Greek charts. With Sakis Rouvas, Kontopoulos produced the 2010 album Parafora, blending international pop elements with Greek influences to create domestic hits that solidified Rouvas's position in the market. Kontopoulos's production approach in Greek laïko and pop genres evolved to fuse traditional melodic structures and instrumentation with contemporary electronic and elements, resulting in accessible yet innovative sounds that drove album successes and radio dominance in during the . This style is evident in projects like Parafora, where global pop production techniques were integrated with local Greek musical motifs to enhance emotional depth and rhythmic appeal.

Eurovision Song Contest involvement

Songwriting and production credits

Dimitris Kontopoulos began his involvement with the in 2003 by composing "Mia Stigmi," performed by Giannis Vardis in Greece's national selection, Ellinikós Telikós, marking his entry into the contest's creative ecosystem. His contributions expanded significantly in 2007, when he composed "Work Your Magic" for , performed by Dmitry Koldun, blending pop elements with orchestral arrangements to suit the contest's stage dynamics. In 2008, Kontopoulos served as co-composer for Ukraine's "Shady Lady," delivered by , incorporating rhythmic beats and multilingual hooks to enhance its cross-border appeal. The year 2009 saw him as composer and producer for Greece's "This Is Our Night," performed by , where he emphasized upbeat tempos and anthemic choruses tailored for arena performances. Kontopoulos's international reach grew in 2013 with , composing "Hold Me" for Farid Mammadov, focusing on emotional ballads with modern production layers to evoke universal themes of love. For Russia's 2014 entry "Shine," performed by the , he took on composing duties, integrating electronic elements and harmonious vocals to create a youthful, energetic track. In 2016, as composer for Russia's "You Are the Only One" by , Kontopoulos crafted a pop-dance hybrid with intricate synth arrangements, collaborating closely with producer Phil Cook to refine its global pop sensibility. He composed and produced Greece's 2017 entry "This Is Love," performed by Demy, adapting soulful melodies with contemporary beats to bridge Greek traditions and international pop standards. For Azerbaijan's 2018 "X My Heart" by Aisel, Kontopoulos composed the track, employing dynamic builds and R&B influences to heighten its dramatic stage presence. He also contributed as to Moldova's "My Lucky Day" by DoReDoS that year, infusing upbeat rhythms suited for group choreography. In 2019, Kontopoulos composed Russia's "Scream" for , utilizing high-energy production with layered vocals and electronic drops to amplify its theatrical impact. The 2020 entries included his songwriting for Moldova's "Prison" by , a rock-infused piece with edgy production, and Greece's "Supergirl" by Stefania, where he handled both composition and production, emphasizing empowering lyrics and pop hooks for broad accessibility. For 2021, Kontopoulos composed and produced multiple entries: Greece's "Last Dance" by Stefania, featuring Arcade and on lyrics, with a focus on fusion and live vocal effects; Moldova's "Sugar" by , co-composed with ; Estonia's "The Lucky One" by Uku Suviste as producer; and Albania's "Karma" by as producer, adapting indie-pop structures for contest staging. In 2024, he composed Cyprus's "Liar" for , blending trap beats with melodic verses to appeal to younger audiences while maintaining emotional depth. Kontopoulos's most recent credit came in 2025 for Cyprus's "Shh," performed by Theo Evan, where he co-composed with Norwegian songwriters Lasse Nymann, Linda Dale, and , incorporating minimalist production and whispered vocal techniques to create an atmospheric, introspective pop track that failed to qualify from the semi-final. Throughout his Eurovision work, Kontopoulos has specialized in adapting songs for international appeal by merging local musical flavors with universal pop structures, often using workstations for precise layering of synths, beats, and harmonies to optimize for live broadcasts and acoustics. His collaborations, such as the frequent "Dream Team" partnerships with and international lyricists, facilitate cross-cultural song development, ensuring entries resonate across diverse juries and televotes.

Contest results and records

Dimitris Kontopoulos has contributed to numerous entries across multiple countries, with his compositions achieving varied success in semi-finals and finals. His involvement began in 2007 with Belarus's "Work Your Magic" performed by Dmitry Koldun, which qualified from the first semi-final and placed 6th in the final with 145 points. In 2008, his song "Shady Lady" for , performed by , topped the second semi-final with 152 points and secured 2nd place in the final with 230 points. The following year, Greece's "This Is Our Night" by qualified from the second semi-final (4th with 110 points) and finished 7th in the final with 120 points. Kontopoulos continued to achieve strong results in subsequent years, including Azerbaijan's "Hold Me" by Farid Mammadov in 2013, which won the second semi-final (1st with 139 points) and placed 2nd in the final with 234 points—marking one of the highest scores for the country at the time. Russia's "Shine" by the in 2014 qualified from the first semi-final (6th with 63 points) but ended 7th in the final with 89 points. His 2016 entry for , "You Are the Only One" performed by , dominated the first semi-final (1st with 342 points) and took 3rd in the final with 491 points, including the highest televote score of 361 points. In 2017, Greece's "This Is Love" by Demy qualified from the second semi-final (10th with 115 points) but placed 19th in the final with 77 points. Further entries included Azerbaijan's "X My Heart" by Aisel in 2018, which finished 11th in the first semi-final with 94 points and failed to qualify, and Moldova's "My Lucky Day" by DoReDoS, which placed 3rd in the second semi-final with 235 points and 10th in the final with 209 points. Russia's "Scream" by in 2019 won the second semi-final (1st with 217 points) and achieved 3rd in the final with 370 points. The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing performances of planned entries like Greece's "Superg!rl" and Moldova's "Prison". In 2021, Kontopoulos's songs for ("Last Dance" by Stefania), ("Sugar" by ), and ("The Lucky One" by Uku Suviste) all reached the contest. qualified from the second semi-final (6th with 184 points) and placed 10th in the final with 170 points; qualified from the second semi-final (7th with 179 points) and finished 13th in the final with 115 points; placed 13th in the second semi-final with 58 points and did not qualify. For in 2024, "Liar" by qualified from the first semi-final (6th with 67 points) and ended 15th in the final with 78 points. In 2025, Cyprus's "Shh" by Theo Evan finished 11th in the first semi-final with 44 points, missing qualification. Kontopoulos holds the record (tied with others such as Thomas G:son) for the most countries represented by a single composer's work in the , with entries for seven nations: , , , , , , and . His compositions have also secured victories in national selection processes for several countries, including Greece's internal selections and Moldova's O melodie pentru Europa in , contributing to their advancement to the international stage.
YearCountrySongArtistSemi-Final ResultFinal Result
2007BelarusWork Your MagicDmitry Koldun4th (SF1), 176 points6th, 145 points
2008Shady Lady1st (SF2), 152 points2nd, 230 points
2009This Is Our Night4th (SF2), 110 points7th, 120 points
2013Hold MeFarid Mammadov1st (SF2), 139 points2nd, 234 points
2014Shine6th (SF1), 63 points7th, 89 points
2016You Are the Only One1st (SF1), 342 points3rd, 491 points
2017This Is LoveDemy10th (SF2), 115 points19th, 77 points
2018X My HeartAisel11th (SF1), 94 pointsFailed to qualify
2018My Lucky DayDoReDoS3rd (SF2), 235 points10th, 209 points
2019Scream1st (SF2), 217 points3rd, 370 points
2021Last DanceStefania6th (SF2), 184 points10th, 170 points
2021Sugar7th (SF2), 179 points13th, 115 points
2021The Lucky OneUku Suviste13th (SF2), 58 pointsFailed to qualify
2024Liar6th (SF1), 67 points15th, 78 points
2025ShhTheo Evan11th (SF1), 44 pointsFailed to qualify

Contributions to other media

Film and theatre compositions

Dimitris Kontopoulos has composed original scores for several films, including Greek productions, leveraging his formal training in scoring at the (USC) to create music that integrates seamlessly with narrative elements. His USC education emphasized techniques for underscoring emotional and dramatic scenes, such as using leitmotifs and dynamic to amplify character tension and plot progression without overpowering dialogue or visuals. In the 2007 comedy-drama Psyhraimia, directed by Nicos Perakis, Kontopoulos provided the full , blending upbeat songs with poignant instrumentals to mirror the protagonist's frantic efforts to stay calm amid escalating absurdities. Key tracks include the vocal piece "Ena spasmeno ftero," with lyrics by Nikos Gritsis and performed by Nafsika Gavrilaki featuring Vasso Kavalieratou, which underscores a moment of vulnerability and heartbreak in the storyline; and orchestral cues like "Psihremia - Main Theme" and "Piano Theme 1," which build suspense during chaotic sequences to heighten the film's thematic exploration of composure under pressure. Kontopoulos also scored the 2009 thriller Duress, where his compositions employ subtle, tension-building strings and percussion to support the film's intense centered on and moral dilemmas. Similarly, for the 2011 military comedy Loufa kai parallagi: Seirines sti steria (Sirens in the Aegean), he crafted songs like "Meres Dihos Logiki" (lyrics by Pigi Konstantinou, performed by Raschmie Soukouli) and "Axizw," which infuse humor and romance into the wartime satire's narrative arcs. During the and 2010s, Kontopoulos extended his compositional work to Greek theatre productions, including "Kammena Vourla," "Ta paidia stin exousia," "Oliki Eklipsi," "Ta dakria tis Kleitemnistras," and "Franky and Johnny," creating musical elements tailored to stage dynamics and live performance needs.

Television and commercial work

Dimitris Kontopoulos has contributed original scores and theme songs to several Greek television series, particularly during the and 2010s, blending pop and orchestral elements to suit episodic pacing and emotional arcs. In , he composed the full score for the popular military comedy series Loufa kai Parallagi, which aired on and drew significant viewership for its satirical take on Greek conscription life. His work extended to theme music that often doubled as standalone hits, enhancing brand recall for broadcasters like Mega and ANT1. For the 2007 adventure drama series Stous 31 Dromous, Kontopoulos wrote the uptempo ballad theme song of the same name, performed by with lyrics by Viki Gerothodorou, capturing the show's themes of urban exploration and romance. Similarly, in 2012, he composed the theme song for the romantic drama Eínai stigmés on ANT1. In the realm of commercial advertising, Kontopoulos adapted his pop sensibilities to create concise jingles and soundtracks for major Greek brands, focusing on catchy hooks to drive consumer engagement in the . A notable example is the 2013 Lacta chocolate campaign, for which he composed the romantic ballad "H agapi erchetai sto telos" ("Love Comes in the End"), performed by ; the advertisement's integrated music and visuals earned three Lions awards, recognizing it as one of the decade's top global ads. These short-form compositions often repurposed upbeat rhythms from his broader pop catalog, tailoring them to 30-second spots that amplified branding without overwhelming the message.

Awards and recognition

Domestic Greek honors

Dimitris Kontopoulos received multiple Awards from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (, recognizing his contributions as a and producer in the domestic . In 2003, he won the Award for Best Pop Album for his work on Iro's Apogiosi. This accolade highlighted his early impact on Greek pop through innovative production that blended contemporary sounds with local appeal. In 2006, Kontopoulos secured two Awards: one for Best Pop Song for "Pano Stin Trela Mou" performed by Vanesa Adamopoulou, and another for Best Soundtrack for the film Loufa kai Parallagi: Sirines sto Aigaio. The following year, in 2007, he earned the Best Pop Song award for "Ola Gyro Sou Gyrizoun" by , further solidifying his reputation for crafting chart-topping hits. Beyond these formal awards, Kontopoulos's productions achieved significant commercial success, earning 16 gold and platinum certifications from across more than 35 albums he composed for during his career. These certifications, reflecting strong sales in the Greek market, underscore his role in driving the popularity of pop and genres in the . These domestic honors played a pivotal role in elevating Kontopoulos's status within the Greek pop scene, positioning him as a leading figure whose work helped define the era's sound and commercial viability for artists like Iro and . By the mid-2000s, his consistent recognition by had established him as a go-to producer for high-selling releases, influencing the direction of mainstream Greek music toward more upbeat, accessible productions.

International achievements

Dimitris Kontopoulos received international recognition early in his Eurovision career with a win at the 2009 Golden Gramophone Awards, often regarded as the Russian equivalent of the Grammy, for his composition work tied to the contest. This accolade highlighted his growing influence beyond , particularly through collaborations on high-profile entries like Ukraine's "Shady Lady" in 2008, which earned second place and further acclaim in Russian music circles. In 2023, Kontopoulos achieved a record by composing songs for eight different countries in the , more than any other composer—a feat cemented with Cyprus's selection of his work for the 2024 edition performed by . As the Greek composer with the most entries overall, his contributions span Belarus (2007), (2008), (2009, 2017, 2021), (2013, 2018), (2014, 2016, 2019), (2018, 2021), (2021), and Cyprus (2024), yielding multiple top placements including two seconds, two thirds, and a televote win. His international profile continued to rise into 2025, with Kontopoulos co-writing Cyprus's entry "Shh" for Theo Evan, which placed 11th in the first semi-final with 44 points, failing to qualify for the final, yet affirming his status as one of Eurovision's most prolific composers for delivering consistent high-impact songs across borders. This ongoing European involvement underscores his role in elevating Greek songwriting on the global stage, building on earlier domestic successes to foster broader acclaim. In 2011, Azerbaijani composer filed a against Greek composer and Entertainment Hellas in a Greek , alleging that Kontopoulos's 2003 composition "Esena Mono," performed by Keti Garbi, infringed on Mansurov's 1990 "Bayatilar" by copying substantial elements of its and . The dispute originated from Mansurov's discovery of the Greek in 2008, prompting an initial extrajudicial protest to Kontopoulos and the publisher, which escalated to formal litigation after settlement attempts failed. The proceedings, which spanned over a decade, involved multiple levels of the Greek judicial system, including the Multi-Member Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeals, where Mansurov prevailed in both instances based on expert musical analyses. These analyses demonstrated more than 50% similarity between the works, including identical scales, melodic motifs, rhythms, and an overall structural reconstruction of "Bayatilar" in "Esena Mono," rendering the resemblance non-coincidental and constituting under Greek intellectual property law. Kontopoulos appealed the appellate decision to the (Areios Pagos), arguing against the infringement findings, but the court rejected his appeal in a ruling issued in and publicized in 2023. The final Supreme Court decision affirmed Mansurov's claims, recognizing him as the rightful author and ordering Kontopoulos and to transfer all collected royalties (approximately €12,519 for the period 2004–2008), profits from sales (around €12,000), and €50,000 in moral damages to Mansurov, in addition to covering €2,700 in legal costs. This outcome highlighted the challenges of enforcing international in and briefly affected Kontopoulos's public reputation amid his prominent career in Eurovision and Greek pop production.

Eurovision voting allegations

Kontopoulos's involvement in Eurovision entries, including for , has occurred amid broader discussions of bloc voting patterns in the contest, particularly the longstanding tendency for and to exchange high points due to cultural ties. This pattern is consistent across multiple years and not unique to specific composers or entries. Kontopoulos is part of the "Dream Team," a production collective that includes choreographer Fokas Evangelinos and PR expert Ilias Kokotos, which has collaborated on numerous Eurovision songs for various countries. Following the 2025 contest, the (EBU) announced plans to review the voting system in response to general concerns about televoting transparency and promotional influences. No formal investigations or charges of wrongdoing have been brought against Kontopoulos, the Dream Team, or related entries, such as Cyprus's 2024 song "Liar" (12th place overall) or 2025 song "Shh" (11th in semi-final 1, 44 points, did not qualify).

References

  1. http://www.dimitriskontopoulos.com/bio/
  2. https://eurovision.ert.gr/curriculum-vitae-dimitris-kontopoulos/
  3. https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/09/dimitris-kontopoulos-sets-a-record-at-eurovision/
  4. https://eurovision.tv/story/russia-you-are-the-only-one-presented
  5. https://eurovision.tv/story/sergey-lazarev-returns-to-eurovision-with-scream
  6. https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2025/01/cyprus-dimitris-kontopoulos-and-the-composers-of-the-code-behind-theo-evans-eurovision-2025-song/
  7. https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2025/cyprus
  8. https://esctoday.com/10404/greeceexclusive_interview_with_dimitris_kontopoulos/
  9. https://eurovisionary.com/dimitris-kontopoulos-phillip-kirkorov-will-compose-lazarevs-song-stockholm/
  10. https://college.berklee.edu/film-scoring/bachelor-of-music-in-film-scoring
  11. https://online.berklee.edu/courses/orchestrating-the-film-score-with-live-sessions
  12. https://www.thenationalherald.com/cyprus-tabs-australian-girl-16-for-2024-eurovision-contest-entry/
  13. https://music.usc.edu/departments/screen-scoring/
  14. https://catalogue.usc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=18&poid=25808&returnto=7168
  15. https://open.spotify.com/album/2CQedKdAl9gH9DYzRZZXHh
  16. https://gr.linkedin.com/in/dimitris-kontopoulos-82326a26
  17. https://sixonstage.com/person/dimitris%20kontopoulos
  18. https://wiwibloggs.com/2020/02/01/moldova-natalia-gordienko-revamp-prison-music-video/248887/
  19. https://esctoday.com/192016/cyprus-dimitris-kontopoulous-to-compose-silias-eurovision-entry/
  20. https://thateurovisionsite.com/2025/01/28/theo-evan-songwriters/
  21. https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/03/29/editorial-too-many-foreign-composed-songs-at-eurovision/235911/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092030/soundtrack/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1308109/
  24. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/dimitris_kontopoulos
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1918921/soundtrack/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1113765/
  27. https://m.ishow.gr/person/590741/dimitris-kontopoylos
  28. https://beautifulrus.com/ani-lorak-pop-singer-songwriter-actress/
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD0XfyQ0EeQ
  30. https://en.euromix.co.il/2025/01/26/cyprus-famous-creators-behind-the-eurovision-song-revealed/
  31. https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1368884/areios-pagos-to-souxe-esena-mono-einai-adigrafi-tou-azerikou-bagiati/
  32. https://www.lifo.gr/now/greece/klemmeno-tragoydi-tis-kaitis-garmpi-esena-mono
  33. https://www.avgi.gr/tehnes/448746_otan-oi-periptoseis-klopis-sti-moysiki-ftanoyn-sta-dikastiria
  34. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.70051
  35. https://eurovoix.com/2021/05/25/moldova-ebu-not-investigate-votes/
  36. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/06/05/eurovision-faces-pressure-from-eu-lawmakers-over-rigged-televoting
  37. https://escxtra.com/2025/06/17/ebu-to-review-esc-voting-system-according-to-nrk/
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