Interview by Vassilios Nicolaos Vitsilogiannis
(IG: @vassiliosvitsilogiannis)
Marianna Masadi is a talented German-Greek singer known for her vibrant musical style that embodies the spirit of both her heritage and modernity. Growing up in a lively Greek community near Stuttgart, she developed a deep connection to her roots, regularly visiting Greece and immersing herself in its culture and music. Masadi’s music is characterized by a blend of Mediterranean influences, showcasing her powerful voice and passionate temperament. She has been recognized as a promising artist by the legendary Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, who encouraged her to become “the new voice of Greece.” Her singles, such as “Kalinichta” and “Syrtaki,” reflect her ability to fuse traditional Greek sounds with contemporary pop, capturing the essence of celebration and joy. With a background in singing, piano, and ballet, Masadi is not only a performer but also a choreographer and presenter, frequently appearing on television and radio in both Greece and Germany, where she continues to enchant audiences with her music and charisma.
You wrote your first songs at the age of 12 and composed small performances for your family. What inspired you to start creating music at such a young age?
I grew up with music. Music flows in my blood like the air I breathe. Since I was a child, there has been music in my life every day. It also has a profundity to every note I hear on the piano. Therefore, I wanted to share my feelings and other people’s stories in language, and that was text in combination with music. The first viewers were indeed my family and I was receiving their unfiltered feedback.
This was very important! I knew exactly what I wanted and what I didn’t want.
How did it feel to perform at a Greek school event with 500 guests? What was the most memorable part of that experience for you?
For me, the stage was a dream, a big playground where I could channel my energy and let off steam.
I was four when I first performed the Greek Syrtaki. While I was dancing on stage, I started singing and thus, combined dance and music and it should remain a unity for me. Dance is part of every performance and that’s an expression of me as an artist. The unforgettable part was the enthusiasm of the audience to experience.
You received piano and ballet lessons from the age of four. How did these early musical and dance lessons shape your artistic journey?
For me, this was always something very special and it was clear to me that I would have to share my feelings and joy with my audience on stage. Until today, I combine singing and dancing to express my feelings in the best possible way.
The legendary Mikis Theodorakis recognized your talent early on and predicted a promising career for you. How did this influence your development as an artist?
Mikis Theodorakis was my great mentor and my role model. I grew up hearing and singing his songs. When he heard me singing when we first met, he encouraged me to enforce my singing.
I was still a child. When he heard his songs sung by me years later, he was like that thrilled that he told me: “My child, you are the voice of Greece”. I will provide you with all the support you need. You need to enjoy the people with your talent. Only then did I think about it – I went home and decided to start my career as a singer.
Your music captures the spirit and atmosphere of both Greece and Germany. How do these two cultures influence your songwriting and performances?
My songs speak of life, have a lot of light, love, cohesion and everything with which a person can feel happy and identify. Both cultures live in me, and I can’t and don’t want them in my music separate. I sing in both languages and convey elements of the other culture. That’s what makes me an artist.
You’ve expressed a deep love for Bavaria. What aspects of Bavarian culture resonate with you the most, and how do they influence your music?
Bavaria has a beautiful landscape, characterized by mountains and lakes. The Bavarian people are proud of their country and uphold tradition and customs. There is a lot of partying. In addition to a lot of beer, there is always music and dance. It’s a bit like in Greece.
There is also the historical connection between Bavaria and Greece via King Otto, which can be seen in both flags, many buildings, squares and museums in Munich and Bavaria.
The Greek word “KEFI” describes the joy of life. How do you incorporate this sense of joy and fun in your music and performances?
Joy and joie de vivre make me who I am, and I love and live it every day.
What would life be without KEFI? I also need these elements of life on stage and it makes me happy to be able to pass them on to my audience. The best feedback for me it is to be able to look into the happy faces.
You are seen as a modern musical ambassador of Greece, similar to figures like Vicky Leandros and Nana Mouskouri. How do you feel about carrying this legacy forward?
Greek music is loved far beyond Greece. It´s carrying life and joy. Both Nana Mouskouri and Vicky Leandros have done a great job on this during their careers. But musically, I have my own style and I am convinced that my music will be successful in this tradition.
Your single “Kalinichta” captures the flair of Mykonos. Can you tell us more about the creation of this song and its significance to you?
In my song “Kalinichta” I wanted to capture the Greek attitude to life on the islands, such as Mykonos. But I can reveal my secret: the music video was not produced in Mykonos but in Corfu.
With all my German songs, I bring Greek elements like the sea, the sun, tradition, bouzouki sounds and our beautiful Greek light together.
“Kalinichta” was composed for me by the well-known German lyricist Kristina Bach (Atemlos – Helene Fischer). We worked intensively on the song to meet the described intentions.
You’ve worked with renowned composers and producers from both Germany and Greece. What upcoming projects are you most excited about, and who would you love to collaborate with next?
I work in both countries, Germany and Greece with the top musicians and that makes me very happy. We are now a great team and fit well together. At the moment, I am working and especially looking forward to my Christmas album 2024 with many new Greek and German Christmas songs. And next…I am thinking about a duet, it´s not fixed yet. Most important to me is to choose the right partner, that suits me.
Photo Credits by Thanassis Rapsomanikis, Dimitris Arabatzakis, Zissis Tsoubos.
