Desi Slava

Biography

Desislava Ivanova Doneva was born on 7 March 1979 in Radnevo, Bulgaria. Her musical stage performances began at an early age, when she began winning awards at festivals for children. Shortly afterwards, she became the main solo singer of orchestra "Radnevo". This allows her to be noticed by one of the most famous Bulgarian folklore singers of all time - Valkana Stoyanova, who takes her under her wing, studied her and declared Desislava as her only possible music heir among all of the students.

When she was 18 years old, the biggest music company in Bulgaria Payner Music offered her a contract and she released her first solo album Nyamam problemi (English: No problems), where she is the author of 5 of 11 songs.

One year later released her second album Ези-Тура (English: Heads-Tails), this is an album that puts her in the charts and all the sales make it the second gold disc in the history of Bulgarian music.

In 2001, the third album Завинаги (English: Forever), but one of the most popular songs Beli Noshti (English: White nights) becomes a super hit and years later would be announced by the specialized media and public a super hit of the decade for Bulgaria.

In 2002 after a year spent in the U.S. is out the album Мистерия (English: Mystery), where Desislava start to experiment with her voice but also with her vision.

In 2003, she left "Payner Music" because the company limited her musical and creative freedom. In early 2004, she founded her own company NewMusic Stars and released Любовта е само чувство (English: Love is just a feeling. The album contains songs from different genres like popfolk, dance, r&b, hip-hop and elements of soul and Latin.

In 2004 she released two albums — Best of Desi Slava and duet album Together — a project with Azis - one of the most outrageous and controversial figures of the Bulgarian pop-folk. In 2005 she was released Гореща следа (English: Hot trail) - a controversial album with two very different parts - one modern, with influences from pop, dance, Latino, club music in Bulgarian, English and Spanish and the other – emphases on the dawn of the folk music.

In 2006 was released album Сладки сънища (English: Sweet dreams), according to the critics that’s her best album. It is varied: there are folk, pop, R & B, reggaeton, rock songs, ballads and duets, songs on Bulgarian, Spanish and English, powerful lyrics.

In 2007 Desislava is in the center of a huge media interest: she was filmed for cover for Bulgarian version of FHM magazine, she articipated in VIP version of the reality show Vip Brother in Bulgaria and participated the national tour of The Comedians. In addition to singing Desislava participated in the sketches of the actors and showed a lot of artistry. Her participation in the first MAD SECRET CONCERT, where Desislava sang songs from the repertoire of Sade, Lenny Kravitz, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Aerosmit, Madonna, Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, Alan Miles, Belinda Carlisle, Kylie Minogue, Latin and Russian popular songs.

In 2007 she was released unofficial Spanish-language album Estoy aqui. Desislava dreamed to release an album in Spanish for Spain and Latin America for a long time. For two years, along with other projects, she prepares songs in Spanish, mostly in the pop style and with a slight Caribbean and reggae influence, but before the album is finished, mysteriously leaked in internet and she decided not to release it. However, some of the songs became a kind of Internet hits.

In 2009 was released album Послушай сърцето си (English: Listen to your heart) very well received by the critics and musicians-it relies not on a commercial sound, but on a deeper emotion. In the same year Single Agapi Mou / Loving you, (DesiSlava ft. Kostas Martakis) - dance-pop duet, created by "Symphonics" and produced by Desislava. In Greece, the song is officially released in the album of Kostas Pio konta, published by Universal Music Greece.

From 2009 to 2010 Desislava is producing two young talents - Dzhemile (pop-folk, Balkan music, and folklore) and Nadia (pop, R&B, dance, soul).

In 2010 Desislava was launched her own independent music TV channel, called DSTV, which gives opportunity for expression of the new Bulgarian artists to show their products. A year and a half later, she sold the television channel so she could pay more attention to her music career.

In 2011 was released single Калино моме (Boy George, Marc Vedo ft. DesiSlava) - progressive house style with ethno vocals. The music is by Boy George, lyrics and vocals by Desislava and arrangement - by the world-famous DJ Marc Vedo.

In 2011 was released experimental album Slavatronica - an "experiment" - a combination of electronic music and folklore. The core of this band is the musicians from London - Vancho Manoilovich and Matt Cooper from “Incognito” and the Bulgarian musicians Vladimir Velichkov from "Kanarite", Atanas Slavov - Mravcho and Turaman. The album is distributed only electronically - in the Amazon, Spotify, MySpace, Medianet, eMusic, Nokia and others ...

In the same year Desi started close cooperation with Romanian team, which made for her the single "I like". Consequently, she decided to change her name for the dance projects to DESS. I like is a summer hit, taking all first places in pop charts. This provides DESS the recognition by her colleagues from the pop industry.

In June 2011 Desislava sold her TV channel DSTV to continue her development as a singer.

In 2012 was released the song with which Desislava appeared on the Bulgarian Eurovision. On the semifinal Dess was selected as number 1 by a jury and audience. At the final, she remained second. The music of Love is alive was made by herself and her colleagues from "SYMPHONICS" Borislav Milanov and Sebastian Arman, and the text is again by Borislav Milanov.

In the same year she and Toni Storaro officially presented their new duetНе искам без теб (English: I do not want without you)

In the same year was released second single under pseudo Dess Only one. The song is the work of the Romanian DJ Matias Endoor. The video was made by the director Stanislav Hristov and was amongst the most popular summer videos. After Only one Desislava became the only singer nominated for pop folk awards (Nov folk) and pop awards (BG Radio).

In the same year Desislava won the prestigious "Radnevo Award" for 2012. The Mayor Dr. Julian Iltchev gave the award at a ceremony on the Day of the city. The award is given to individuals who have a real and significant contribution to the development and prosperity of the city Radnevo.

In the same year was her first duet song It ain't over with the talented model, singer and composer Alek Sandar. The video was shot in Berlin, and the song is the beginning of joint projects between Dess and Alek Sandar.

In 2013 Baby – the pop single created by Alek Sandar and Boyplay. Desislava presented the song on a charity concert and several months later she gave the song to be an anthem of Sofia Pride 2013. In the same year Desislava went to Tirana, Albania to meet Alfred Sula – the best Albanian composer. She bought a song from him - Play it again (Bulgarian: Пусни го пак). Desislava is proud with the song because it becomes the summer pop folk hit. On her birthday is released her new song Усещам (English: I feel). In the song take part the best pontic-lira musician – the famous Greek Mako.

In the same year was released Alek Sandar's song You and me with her participation. There is a Bulgarian version called Az I ti.

In beginning 2014 Desislava released her song Моeто зайче (English: My bunny. The video was made in The Seychelles Islands where the singer had been on a vacation.

In July 2014 the singer was chosen to be a coach in the third season of the reality talent show "The Voice of Bulgaria" on bTV. The reality format was won by Kristina Ivanova, who was a singer in her team. Desislava cause a great admiration with her natural reactions, with her powerful rock'n'roll, the implementation of "Зайди, зайди" and the dedicated work with her team of artists.

In the same year was released her duet featuring German rapper Nana Cotton Candy.

On 20 November 2014 Desi Slava signed a contract with Payner Music and was presented at the concert “13 years Planeta TV” on 1 December. Her live singing and brilliant vision were the cause of much applause and nice comments of a great return in the largest music company in Bulgaria.

In 2015 she was released the first song after returning to Payner — Не го прави (English: Don’t do it) In the same year was released song and music video В твоите очи (English: In your eyes), feauting Galena. On June 11, 25 years of Payner, together with Galena, Preslava, Emilia, Anelia, and Tsvetelina Yaneva, present a new version of the popular song Лале ли си, зюмбюл ли си (English: You Are a Tulip, You are a Zymboul). A month later, on 9 July, a video of the Dobrudja folk song was released. In the summer, the singer presents the song Започваме на чисто (English: We Begin Clean). At the beginning of September, the singer took part in Konstantin's song От утре ще е друго (English: Tomorrow Will Be Another). On December 12, the last song of the singer of the year goes to the song Смени паролата си (English: Change Your Password). Desi Slava enters the house of Big Brother All Stars and comes out the winner.

In beginning 2016 she was released ballade song В друг живот (English: In Another life. In autumn 2016 she was И на всички като тебе (English: And to everyone like you) and became superhit. At the end of the year Desi Slava presents the ballad И това ще преживея (English: And I'll Survive).

On February 27, 2017, the singer was among the participants in the fifth season of the Imitation Show Като две капки вода, where she reached the finish and finished second.

Awards and achievements

Template:BLP in skiffed section Major international events:

- 2007 - Desislava is the first Bulgarian singer gave a concert at London's prestigious Jazz Club Soho Revue. The show is titled "Cabaret Desislava" and on the stage with her were Vanco Manojlovic (played with Pink Floyd and The Who) and Matt Cooper of "Инкогнито"

- 2008 - MAD Video Music Awards 2008 in Greece. Desislava was the first Bulgarian singer who sang on a stage at Mad Video Music Awards with the Greek sex symbol Kostas Martakis.

- 2008 single "Never end" - dance single, released by Universal Music Spain in the best-selling dance summer compilation - Disco Estrella. Also in 2008 she participated in "Let’s Duet" - reality show where she had the opportunity to show the audience her amazing performances across genres: Bulgarian folklore, Macedonian songs, disco, rock, metal, r & b, opera, movie music, folk, Greek, Bulgarian and Russian traditional songs.

- 2009 single "My Pleasure, My Pain" - Recorded and produced in London by the great producer John Themis / worked with Spice Girls, Shugarbabes, Rod Stewart, Boy George, Kylie Minogue, George Michael, etc. /, who is also the author of the song. The style of the ballad is a British rock. "My Pleasure, My Pain" was broadcast on MTV.

- 2010 – When the great Turkish pop star Mustafa Sandal was in Bulgaria, he chose to invite Desislava to sing with him on his concert in Bulgaria.

- 2012 – Desislava was the only performer from Bulgaria, invited to sing on the most prestigious Balkan Awards - Media Music Awards. There, she performed on one stage with the best Romanian stars.

Movie appearances:

- 2005 - Desislava’s song “Лъжа” /"Lie"/ becomes part of the soundtrack and the plot of the Bulgarian film "Lady Z", which received many Balkan awards.

- 2010 - the French television channel "M6" made a documentary about the phenomenon "pop folk" and devoted a great part of it to Desislava.

- 2011 - Desislava took part in the Bulgarian sound of 3D "Rio" for 20th Century Fox.

- 2011 – A major role in the film "Small - Large", directed by Yassen Grigorov, in partnership with the great photographer Temelko Temelkov. The film was awarded with a "Golden Rose".

- 2012 – A major role in the TV series “Столичани в повече”

Others:

- 2007/2009 - Desislava was thecommercial face of the world's largest internet bookmaker Sportingbet. When she signed a contract with "Sportingbet" in 2007, the company's website was blocked for a short time. The reason was a poker game with Desislava, which caused unprecedented interest. - 2010 - Desislava was the only pop folk singer in Bulgaria who was invited to sing with Ruse’ Philharmonic Orchestra and Burgas’ Philharmonic Orchestra. At the end of the year, she was a part of a „FAN TV” tour, which purpose was to unite the pop and pop folk genre. The singer performed songs from both styles.

1994 First prize at the Folklore Festival "Slaveyche" Radio "Stara Zagora"

1995 First prize at the folk festival "Petko Zaharieva"

1996 Grand Prix of Folk Festival "Valkana Stoyanova"

1999 Award for live performance at the festival "Golden Mustang"

2000 Award of the "World Arts Festival" in Hollywood (USA) in the section on pop music Award for the hit of the year – “Мъжете всичко искат” /"Men want everything"/ Award of the Audience at the festival "Trakia Folk" - “Бели нощи” /‘White Nights’/ Award of the Jury at the festival "Trakia Folk" - “Бели нощи” /‘White Nights’/ Annual awards of Hit Cocktail - Singer of the year Annual awards of Hit Cocktail – “Ези Тура” - Album of the year Annual awards of Hit Cocktail – “Мила моя, мили мой” Hit of the year Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine – “Ези Тура” - Album of the year Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine - Best hit singer of the year Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine – “Бели нощи” /‘White Nights’/ Song of the year

2002 The audience chart of ‘Planet TV’ – Singer of the year Annual music awards of ‘Planet TV’ – Best singer Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine - Singer of the year Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine “Мистерия” /‘Mystery’/ – Album of the year Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine-“Две сърца” /‘Two Hearts’/ Best Video clip

2004 Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine – “Жадувам” /‘I Crave’/ – the best video clip of the year Annual awards of Melo TV Mania–“Бъди добро момче” /‘Be A Good Boy’/ video clip of the year

2005 Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine – Best duo for “Казваш че ме обичаш” /“Say you love me”/ Annual awards of ‘Nov Folk’ magazine – Best clip

2006 ‘Nov Folk’ magazine – Music Video of the year – “Някой ден”/„Some day”/ Annual awards of ‘Bliasuk’ magazine – Body of Bliasuk

2007 ‘FHM’ magazine – The sexiest Bulgarian woman Nov Folk Magazine Award for best live performance

2008 Radio Romantica Award for best ballad “Някой ден”/„Some day”/

2009 Nov Folk Magazine Award for song of the decade for “Бели нощи” /„White nights”/ (1998-2008) Award for successful missions to the Red Cross charity

2011 Radio Romantica Award for Eternal ballad “Забрави за мен” /“Forget about me”/

2012 Radio Romantica Award for Best voice of radio Romantica Award for Best cover of the magazine “Mr. Big

2013 Radnevo Award - The prize is for the people who have significant and tangible contribution to the development and prosperity of Radnevo town

Discography