The presentation of the new album “10 Words” becomes the starting point for a meaningful conversation with Michalis “Stavento” Kouinelis, who opens up about his latest work as well as his overall journey in music. With honesty and without unnecessary embellishment, he talks about the creative process, the challenges he faced, and the importance this particular album holds for him.
“10 Words” is not a project that came together. Michalis Stavento admits that it occupied his mind for a long time, until he finally reached a point where he felt truly satisfied with the result. It is an album that carries personal thoughts, experiences, and a more mature perspective, reflecting his need to create something that genuinely expresses him rather than simply releasing new music.
Collaborations also play a key role in “10 Words”, with Michalis Stavento choosing people he deeply respects and trusts. For him, each song is like a “message” that needs the right person to deliver it properly to the listener. This mindset runs throughout the album, giving it both diversity and cohesion.
Through the discussion, it also becomes clear how he views his career so far. From his early years to the present, Michalis has never remained static, instead experimenting with sounds and influences and shaping his own distinct style through Stavento. He is not interested in labeling his music; what matters most to him is feeling that he evolves and that what he creates has real meaning.
At the same time, he makes his stance on success very clear. Numbers and records are not what define him; what truly matters is staying honest with both his audience and himself. This approach is what has kept him relevant and authentic throughout the years.
Finally, Michalis Stavento shows no signs of slowing down. He is already working intensively on new ideas and upcoming projects, maintaining the same passion for creation, proving that for him, music is not just a profession, but a constant need for expression.
Michalis, tonight we’re here at Gazarte for the presentation of your new album, “10 Lexeis” (“10 Words”).
I’m extremely happy because we’re presenting the new album titled “10 Words”. I’m happy that after so long I managed to create a more complete piece of work. I struggled with it for quite a while, that’s the truth. And I’m glad we reached this final sound, which makes me proud and especially happy, and also gives me the strength to keep going and create more.
What do you remember most from the period of creating the album?
I remember going and knocking on the doors of artists I deeply respected, because songs are “messages,” but you also have to find the right “messengers” to carry them in the right direction. I feel that I found all those artists, who were the “right messengers” so that our breaths could meet and the messages could reach where they needed to go. And most importantly for me is that after 21 years—because with this album, since I didn’t manage to finish it in time for the 20-year mark—we are now celebrating 21 years as Stavento, of existing, and we are especially grateful to the audience for still listening to us after all these years, which personally gives me the strength to continue.
Which song would you single out?
Unfortunately, I can’t single out any song, because each one has its own reason for existing. It might sound cliché, but can you really say you love one child more than another? You can’t. Each one has its own unique qualities, and you treat it accordingly, giving it the love it needs in the way it needs it, depending on its nature.
It’s also worth mentioning the collaborations included in the album.
Of course. The first song, “10 Words,” which gave me the motivation to make the album, features my daughter. She is my Anatoli, and we decided to do it together so she could experience what it’s like to go into a studio, put on headphones, record, and learn a song. Right now she’s learning how to read well, so we were sounding things out a bit, and that whole process made her enjoy it even more. We also collaborated with Ivi, Daphne Lawrence, Nina, Lila, Evangelia, Anastasia, Nina Mazani, Dope MC, RACK, and Emmanouela. These are people I respect artistically, and I really enjoyed that they trusted me and joined me in creating this album.
We heard tonight that you surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify, which led to a surprise award presentation.
Numbers never really mattered to me. I wasn’t trying to create something for the sake of success. I always wanted to do what feels right for me, and ultimately the judge is always the audience. Whether many people listen or just a few doesn’t concern me. What matters to me is being consistent and true to the audience. And I feel that all these years I’ve tried to remain consistent with them, and that’s probably what led to this result—and it makes me especially happy.
You’ve been recording music for 30 years, and we’ve been listening to you since the days of Vavylona. How did you experience that period and your relationship with hip hop back then?
Look, when people talk to me about hip hop now, I feel like I experienced hip hop in its best days. After that phase with Vavylona, I tried to create “hip hop plus something.” Because for me, just doing pure hip hop felt like something I had already done extensively.
How did your music evolve from that point on, and what did you try to add to your sound?
I tried to evolve it from my own perspective. That’s why I included many collaborations and attempted to blend different sounds—tradition, rebetiko, laïko, rock. I tried to bring everything together and take it one step further so that it would have meaning, substance, and, of course, more interest for me. Because doing the same thing over and over again—regardless of the audience—even the hours you spend in the studio, if what you’re doing isn’t interesting, I feel like you start searching musically. And I did a lot of that searching. I feel that I did it with respect toward hip hop. So I kept that core, added my own elements from my own perspective, and brought it to where it is now—whatever it’s called, however it’s labeled, which doesn’t concern me at all. What matters to me is feeling that I’m making good music and being proud of what I do. I’m not ashamed to say it, and I feel very satisfied with the result.
Do you feel nostalgic about that period?
I feel nostalgic about the drive we had back then to spread hip hop. Now, hip hop has become the most mainstream, the most pop form of music. I believe everyone contributed their part to making that happen. Because there’s bad stuff, and there are also gems, right? Everyone decides what they put in their ears. So that’s up to the audience’s judgment. But I’m happy that hip hop has reached this point—from the time when we were doing it and practically chasing people down to get them to listen—to now being the most mainstream genre that everyone listens to. It’s reached a stage where people have a wide range of sounds to choose from and can decide what they want to hear and what resonates most with them.
What are your next professional plans?
I’m working intensely on more things. I’m already preparing the next projects. I hope everything goes well, and I believe we still have a long road ahead of us—as long as we’re healthy, that’s all that matters. My God, that’s the only thing.
What is your life motto?
Συνέντευξη: Electra Limnios
