Alexandra Stan
Born on June 10, 1989 in Constanța, Alexandra Stan is a Romanian singer-songwriter.
After she was invited to sing in a televised show at the age of 15, she eventually participated in various music-related contests, including the Mamaia Music Festival in 2009. Producers and songwriters Marcel Prodan and Andrei Nemirschi discovered Stan that year at a karaoke bar in Constanța. They offered her a record deal with their label Maan Records, which she accepted, and later went on to record a promotional single titled “Show Me the Way”. Her debut single, “Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)”, released on December 16, 2009, was given notable radio airplay. The song’s provocative, low-budget music video was criticized by some viewers for emphasizing her physical and not her vocal qualities.
In 2011, Stan made her international breakthrough with the single “Mr. Saxobeat”. The song first achieved success in Romania, where it peaked at number one on the Romanian Top 100 for eight consecutive weeks. It then became acclaimed worldwide, topping the record charts in several other countries, and selling almost one million copies in less than year. At the 2011 Romanian Music Awards, Stan and “Mr. Saxobeat” won several awards and nominations. Stan also won the Best Romanian Act and a nomination for Best European Act at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards.
The follow-up single “Get Back”, achieved modest success and reached the top 10 in Finland and Romania, and the top 20 in other European countries. The singer’s debut studio album Saxobeats was released in August 2011, and was moderately successful in Japan and Europe. Her chart success followed in 2012 with “Lemonade”, which was certified Gold in Italy. The release of Stan’s second studio album was postponed following an alleged violent incident between her and Prodan, in June 2013. The case attracted widespread media coverage in Romania. Later that year, the singer launched a campaign against domestic violence called “Nu bate! Mai bine cântă!”.
Her comeback single, “Thanks for Leaving”, was released in April 2014, which she said was personal. The follow-up “Cherry Pop” became the most sought-after ringtone on the Recochoku service in Japan within two hours of its release, while “Dance” experienced similar success on its release. Unlocked, Stan’s second studio album, was premiered on August 27, 2014, and charted within the top 30 in Japan. The music video for “Give Me Your Everything”, the fourth single from Unlocked, caused controversy for a scene that features Stan wearing a robe inscribed with masonic symbols.
In June 2015, Stan released “We Wanna”, a collaboration with Romanian singer INNA and American reggaeton performer Daddy Yankee. The track reached the top 60 in multiple countries including Romania, Argentina and Italy. It was certified Gold in the latter region. In November 2015, she released the single “I Did It, Mama!”, which reached the top ten in Romania. The singer’s third studio album Alesta followed in March 2016. It debuted at number 34 on the Japanese Albums Chart.
The singer joined the supergroup G Girls along with Antonia, Lori, and INNA, and premiered the single “Call the Police”, which was successful in Poland.
To promote the launch of Virgin Radio Romania in early 2017, Stan recorded a cover version of Madonna’s song “Like a Virgin”, saying she was a fan of it. She also recorded “Favorite Game” for the soundtrack of the Japanese movie Miko Girl.
In April 2018, Stan released her fourth studio album titled Mami, which peaked at number 119 in Japan. Stan contributed guest vocals on Manuel Riva’s track “Miami”, which reached the top ten on the US Dance Club Songs chart. It also reached the top 10 in Romania. The singer opened the 2018 Neversea Festival, which had selected “Miami” as its anthem. At the 2018 Beirut International Awards Festival, Stan was awarded a special prize for her career, after being referred to as one of the most successful Romanian artists alongside INNA.
Alexandra Stan Releases
- remixes: Alexandra Stan - Come Into My World (and Nervo)
- remixes: Alexandra Stan - We Wanna (feat Inna & Daddy Yankee)
- remixes: Alexandra Stan - I Did It Mama