Azis
Azis | |
---|---|
Native name | Васил Троянов Боянов |
Birth name | Vasil Troyanov Boyanov |
Also known as | Азис |
Born |
[1][2] Sliven, Bulgaria[2] | 7 March 1978
Genres | Chalga, Pop-folk |
Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, writer, activist, television show host |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1999-present |
Azis (Cyrillic: Азис) (born Vasil Troyanov Boyanov; Cyrillic: Васил Троянов Боянов) (born 7 March 1978) is a Bulgarian Chalga (pop-folk) singer, of Roma descent.[3][4] He is known for his unusual gender expression[5] and his flamboyant persona. Azis has collaborated with other Bulgarian pop-folk (Chalga) singers, such as Gloria, Malina, Sofi Marinova, Toni Storaro, as well as Indira Radić (a Serbian singer), and with Bulgarian rap artists - Ustata and Vanko 1.[6][7] At the 2006 Eurovision song contest, he performed Let me cry with Mariana Popova, reaching the semi-finals.[8][9] Azis competed unsuccessfully in the Bulgarian parliamentary election of 2005 as a member of the EuroRoma party.[10]
Biography
Azis' childhood was spent in Kostinbrod and Sofia. In 1989, after the fall of communism in Bulgaria, he moved with his family to Germany. There, his sister, Matilda, and brother Ryan was born. Azis married Nikolay Petrov Parvanov (stage name: Niki Kitaetsa, Cyrillic: Ники Китаеца) on 1 October 2006. Their marriage is not legally recognized under Bulgarian law.[11] Azis' daughter was born on 5 August 2007 and was named Raya. Her mother is Azis' longtime friend, Gala.[11] In 2008, Azis and Parvanov separated amicably.[12]
Homosexuality controversies
In late November 2007, Boyko Borisov, mayor of Sofia, censored billboards of Azis kissing Niki Kitaetsa, which pictured both men shirtless[13][14] on the basis they were too graphic in nature. The picture was then censored in other cities in Bulgaria.[15] The Bulgarian LGBT social movement Gemini objected to this decision.
Appearances
- In 2007, Azis and Kitaetsa appeared in the VIP Brother 2 edition of Big Brother Bulgaria. Azis left the house voluntarily after nineteen days.[10]
- Azis was interviewed in the second episode of Michael Palin's New Europe.
- In 2008 on PRO.BG, Azis co-hosted the talk show Azis' Late Night Show with actress Ekaterina Evro.
- In August 2012, Anonymous used the video clip to Azis' song Мразиш to deface the website of the Russian court Khamovnichesky, where the members of the band Pussy Riot were convicted.[16]
Covers
Panos Kiamos, made a cover of Azis' single Sen Trope entitled, Fotia me Fotia, (Fire to Fire). In November 2012, Giorgos Tsalikis made a cover of Azis' song Hop, entitled Asto, (Let it). In 2013, Florin Salam, a Romanian singer, covered Azis' song, Sen Trope (Saint Tropez). In 2012, Enka Mutfagi, a Turkish singer, covered this song (Alayina Zam).
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Original title | Transliteration | Meaning in English |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Болка | Bolka | Pain |
2000 | Мъжете също плачат | Mazhete sashto plachat | Men also cry |
2001 | Сълзи | Salzi | Tears |
2002 | AZIS | AZIS | |
2003 | На голо | Na golo | The nude |
2004 | Кралят | Kralyat | The King |
2004 | Together- Заедно с Деси Слава | Together- Zaedno s Desi Slava | Together (with Desi Slava) |
2005 | AZIS 2005 | AZIS 2005 | |
2006 | Дива | Diva | Diva |
2011 | Гадна порода | Gadna Poroda | Nasty breed |
2014 | Azis 2014 | Azis 2014 |
Compilation albums
Year | Original title | Transliteration | Meaning in English |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | The Best | The Best | |
2005 | Дуети | Dueti | Duets |
2005 | The Best 2 | The Best 2 | |
EPs (Maxi singles)
Year | Original title | Transliteration | Meaning in English |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Целувай ме+ | Tseluvay me+ | Kiss me+ |
2004 | Как боли | Kak boli | How it hurts |
DVDs
- 2003: Шоу спектакъл
- 2004: Нищо лично
- 2004: The best videoclips
- 2004: Together with Desi Slava
- 2005: AZIS 2005
- 2005: Дуети (Duets)
- 2006: Аз, Азис ( I, Azis) (CD)
- 2007: Azis
Collaborations
In 2011, Azis sang a duet called Sezam with Indira Radić, a Serbian singer, on her album Istok, sever, jug i zapad. After that, in 2012 he sang another duet with Serbian singer Marta Savić, which was featured on her studio album 13. The song was called "Mama" and it was one of Balkan's hit songs in 2012.
Books
- Аз, Азис (Book and CD) (2006)
References
- ↑ "Профилът на Азис" [Azis Profile]. Slava.bg. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- 1 2 Silverman, Carol (24 May 2012). Romani Routes: Cultural Politics and Balkan Music in Diaspora. Oxford University Press. p. 189. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- ↑ Samson, J. (2013). Music in the Balkans. Google Books. BRILL. p. 610. ISBN 9789004250383. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Kenrick, D. (2010). The A to Z of the Gypsies (Romanies). Google Books. Scarecrow Press. p. 35. ISBN 9781461672272. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Richardson, J., ed. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of New Audiovisual Aesthetics. Google Books. Oxford University Press. p. 444. ISBN 9780199733866. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Haj-Najafa, D. (12 May 2009). "Kitsch of the Day, Azis i Ustata's 'Tochno Sega'". Men's Fashion blog. New York Times. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Watkins, R.; Deliso, C. (2008). Bulgaria. Google Books. Lonely Planet. p. 52. ISBN 9781741044744. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Taras, R (2008). Europe Old and New: Transnationalism, Belonging, Xenophobia. Google Books. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 200. ISBN 9780742557345. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Fricker, K; Gluhovic, M, eds. (2013). Performing the 'New' Europe: Identities, Feelings and Politics in the Eurovision Song Contest. Google Books. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137367976. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- 1 2 Imre, A (2009). Identity Games: Globalization and the Transformation of Media Cultures in the New Europe. Google Books. MIT Press. p. 125. ISBN 9780262090452. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- 1 2 "Bulgaria's Gay Idol Becomes Father". Novinite.com. 5 August 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ↑ "Азис и Китаеца се разделиха без скандали" [Azis and Kitaetsa parted without scandals]. vsekiden.com. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ↑ Kourtova P; Attwood F; et al., eds. (2012). Controversial Images: Media Representations on the Edge. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 60. ISBN 9781137291998. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ Daskalova K, et al. (2012). Gendering Post-socialist Transition: Studies of Changing Gender Perspectives. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 85. ISBN 9783643902290. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ↑ "Свалят скандални билбордове на Азис и Китаеца в София" [Download scandalous billboards Azis and Kitaetsa in Sofia]. news.bg. ibox. 20 November 2007.
- ↑ "Anonymous defaces website of court that convicted Pussy Riot". The Guardian. United Kingdom. 22 August 2012.