Maria Ilieva is recognized as the most successful female vocal artist of the contemporary Bulgarian music scene.
From her debut appearance to this very day - her unique talent, outstanding voice, authentic style and influential personality has won her unprecedented admiration from both the public and media, as well as highest professional acclaim among fellow musicians and artists of all generations.
Born into a family of renowned musicians, Maria’s devotion to music was apparent since early childhood. Trained pianist since the age of five, she developed her vocal skills as a member of the prestigious “Petko Stainov” Choir Academy.
Maria excelled in other areas of education as well, graduating with Honors from the elite High School of Mathematics in Sofia. She proceeded to receive a Master’s degree in Insurance and a Master’s degree in International Relations.
Her career as a performing vocal artist started in the late 90’s, when she was the lead vocalist of the highly successful Kaffe Band – best known abroad for representing Bulgaria at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.
The launch of Maria Ilieva’s solo career is marked by the release of her first single “Moon Dream” in the summer of 2001. The groundbreaking album (also titled "Moon Dream") was duly released to sensational success later on in the year, having been described as “a phenomenon in BG pop music” (”Rhythm” magazine, February 2002).
Awarded singles released from the album (“Moon Dream”, “Nothing”) have gone straight to No.1 in all leading Bulgarian radio and television pop charts, while “Alright” (produced in collaboration with the avant-garde soul-funk band “TE”), shot to fame by staying on the top of "Bulgarian Top 100" chart for an unprecedented 13 successive weeks.
Maria's next project - "Stereo Room" - Included remixes by top Bulgarian DJs, played at the country's hottest dance venues - regularly featuring a list of renowened world class acts. The single "Stereo room" is to be remembered as the first completely animated Bulgarian music video produced, accentuating Maria's innovative and experimental style.
After establishing her own record label “MI Productions” in 2003, Maria Ilieva undertook a series of new projects:
“What Does It Take” - first single relesed in English / video produced in Los Angeles, USA, went straight to No.1 as a new entry on MM TV’s TOP 20 ;
“You Come To Me” – Maria’s first ballad single, presenting a new sensitivity of Maria’s approach to music;
“Born for Love” – duet single with distinguished Bulgarian male vocalist/composer Grafa, whose video went to No.6 on MTV Europe’s World Chart Express;
“Off the Record” – Maria’s first collaboration with a hip-hop artist – Knas /”Knas&Bacardi”/ - 3 weeks at No.1 - "Out of 5" chart of Bulgarian National Television;
“Past” – a single that has gone to No.1 of BG Radio’s TOP 20 chart and stayed there for 5 weeks.
"On My Own" - a single dedicated to the fight against human trafficking and forced prostitution. Official world premiere - 24.03.2007, at "The stars of Europe concert", dedicated to the 50th anniversary of EU, broadcasted on 56 national TV stations worldwide.
"Words" - the most recent single of Maria that went straight to No1 /MM TV Top 20/ three weeks after its release. Premiered on MTV Europe on 24.11.07
All the above mentioned singles are featured on Maria Ilieva’s
new album “I COME TO YOU”
in stores now
Another ambitious project of the talented singer started in 2007 is her new label to promote young Bulgarian talent called “Stereo Room”/2007/. This record label will aim at producing and promoting young talented singers from Bulgaria. Special auditions are currently taking place and the first artist of the label will be announced at the beginning of next.
CONCERTS:
Billed as a top star at all established regional international music festivals, Maria has performed as the opening act for celebrated artists such as
George Michael , Simple Minds , Danni Minogue ,
Atomic Kitten , Garaj Mahal
and more.
Maria has also performed alongside such greats as
Simply Red , Scorpions , Glenn Hughes (of Deep Purple),
UB40 , Gipsy Kings , Zucchero, Kim Wilde ,
Spike Edney’s All Star Band and Lou Bega.
AWARDS :
2008
- Best Female Artist Award – MM TV Awards
- Best Style Award - Bravo FM Group
2007
- Best Album Award ("I Come To You"/M.I.Productions) - MM TV Awards
- Most stylish singer as announced by Elle Magazine
- Golden Pen Award - for a Special Contribution to Bulgarian Culture - Classic Fm Radio/MAKTA
2006
- Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards
- Woman of the Year Award – Grazia Magazine/Avon Awards
2005
- Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards
- Best Style Award – Bravo FM Group
2004
- Best Female Artist Award – Melo TV Mania, Bulgarian National Television
- Best Hair Style – Pantene Beauty Awards
2002 – 2003
- Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards
- Best Female Artist Award – MM TV Awards
- Best Female Artist Award – Rhythm Magazine Awards
- Best Video Award (Nishto) – Rhythm Magazine Awards
2001 – 2002
- Best Debut Award – Melo TV Mania, Bulgarian National Television
- Best Debut Award – MM TV Awards
- Best Video Award (Moon Dream) – BG Radio Music Awards
- Best Video Award (Moon Dream) – Forte Top 100 Awards, Bulgarian National Television
- Best Female Artist Award – BG Radio Music Awards
- Best Female Artist Award – Forte Top 100, Bulgarian National Television
MOVIES:
Maria Ilieva is also an accomplished actress appearing in such Hollywood based films like:
•2005 – “Undisputed 2”- A Millenium Films/ Nu Image Production
•2004 – “Submerged” – A Millenium Films/ Nu Image Production
•2004 – “Locust”- A UFO Production
•2004 – “The Mechanic” (aka "The Russian Specialist") - A Millenium Films/ Nu Image Production
Bulgarian movie productions include:
•2002 – “Emigrants” – A Boyana Cinema Production
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTS:
Apart from her music career, Maria Ilieva has been dedicated to a number of important social engagements and causes, such as:
• 2008 - 2009 - Ambassador for ICanToo foundation's fundrasing campaign for children with disabilities
• 2007 – Ambassador of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
• 2006 - 2009 – Official Spokesperson for Face to Face Foundation’s Campaign Against Human Trafficking and Forced Prostitution
• 2006 – Official Spokesperson for Standard daily newspaper Fundraiser Initiative for Talented Children
• 2005-2006 – Official Spokesperson for the Avon Cosmetics’ Campaign Against Breast Cancer, a part of the global initiative for Breast Cancer awarness and prevention.
BRAND AMBASSADOR/ SPOKESPERSON:
• 2008-2009 - Official celebrity spokesperson for Societe Generale Express Bank
• 2006-2007 – Official celebrity spokesperson for BMW
• 2005-2007 – Official celebrity spokesperson for Haute Couture designer NEVENA
• 2003-2005 – Official Pantene Pro-V Brand Ambassador and celebrity Spokesperson
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