Akcent

Akcent (Romanian pronunciation: [akˈt͡ʃent])[1] is a Romanian dance pop group whose members sing in Romanian, English and Spanish. Their name originated as a wordplay on accent. Originally a duo, it consisted of Adrian Sînă and Ramona Barta. They released their debut album Senzatzia in 2000. Except for the first track, "Ultima vara", which received some airplay, the album was a commercial failure and the duo disbanded shortly after. Sînă brought Marius Nedelcu, Mihai Gruia and Sorin Brotnei into the group, changing it from a duo to a boyband in 2001. They came to prominence with the single "Ți-am promis" in their native Romania.

Akcent
Akcentul 50
Akcent, in Bucharest, Romania, 2007
Background information
OriginBucharest, Romania
GenresDance-pop, Romanian pop house
Years active1999–present
LabelsRoton
MembersAdrian Sînă
Past members
  • Ramona Barta
  • Marius Nedelcu
  • Corneliu Ulici
  • Mihai Gruia
  • Sorin Brotnei

Their single "Kylie" was commercially successful in Europe. In 2006, they attempted to represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest with the single "Jokero", in collaboration with Romanian singer Nico. It became their first number-one single on the Romanian Top 100. Due to several conflicts, Sînă became the sole member of the project in 2013.

Early years

Born and raised in Baia Mare, Maramureș, Adrian Sînă formed the band in 1998. At that point the group consisted of just him and singer Ramona Barta. The two sent their debut single to nationwide mainstream radio stations as early as 1999. The song "Ultima vara" ("The last summer") reached the top-twenty of many airplay charts. The duo also released a studio album titled Senzatzia (The Sensation). The album did not do well and Barta split from Sînă.

The duo changed into a boyband when Sînă introduced Marius Nedelcu, Mihai Gruia and Sorin Brotnei to the group. Their debut album În culori (In colors) was released in Romania on January 10, 2002 and included the hit single "Ți-am promis". They rose to fame instantly when "Ți-am promis" ("I promised you") reached the peak of the Romanian Top 100 in winter 2001. It became one of the most successful albums in the country's recent history. It received a Gold certification within three weeks. Some months later, it was eventually certified Platinum by the Uniunea Producătorilor de Fonograme din România. During this time, the group won multiple MTV Romania Music Awards as well.

Continued success

In 2003, the band released their third studio album, 100 BPM. Its title refers to the intensity of heartbeat during a kiss. It included their number-one single "Buchet de trandafiri" ("Bouquet of roses"). Their fourth album, Poveste de viata (Life story) was also a huge success for the band. It included hits like "Spune-mi (Hey baby!)" ["Tell me (Hey baby!)"]. They reached the peak of their success with the release of their studio album S.O.S. and its lead single "Dragoste de inchiriat" ("Love for rent"). It became their signature song and hit number-one in Romania, both digitally and in airplay. Due to its success, the song was re-written in English and released to the international market as "Kylie" (an ode to Kylie Minogue). It became a radio hit in countries like Turkey, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece and Ukraine. Akcent's debut English album French Kiss with Kylie was released in Europe on August 23, 2006, and it included their two hit singles, "Kylie" and "Jokero".

In April 2008, Marius Nedelcu left the band to go solo. The remaining three members called in Corneliu Ulici, a former member of another Romanian group, Bliss. However, Corneliu did not want to make music his career and left after only five months, after which Akcent officially became a trio. Adrian Sînă was commissioned to produce Akcent's album Fără lacrimi (No Tears). The international hit singles "That's My Name", "Stay with Me" and "Lover's Cry" were all produced by Sînă. In 2009, he also produced the True Believers album, which has been one of Akcent's most successful to date. The album included the hits "That's My Name", "Stay with Me," "Lover's Cry" and "Tears". In the same year, Akcent won the Balkan Music Award for "Best Duet or Group". Because of the success of "That's My Name," the song along with "Stay with me" was released through U.S. record label Ultra Records, Warner Music Group in Scandinavia, Turkey, Italy, Greece and other countries. The single was also included on the Just Dance: Vol 3 compilation album released by The Island Def Jam Music Group in 2010. After this multi-platinum album, the band started performing worldwide.

The new decade

In 2011, Akcent signed a recording contract with Robbins Entertainment, and in May 2012 "My Passion" was officially released in the United States. Then came the song "Feelings on Fire", which featured Ruxandra Bar and a music video that was filmed with the band members driving sports cars in Romania, on Transfagarasan. Sînă also became a judge of X Factor the same year. 2012 was a busy and successful year for Akcent with touring and more hits. In January, the group released the single "I'm Sorry" featuring pop singer Sandra N. The single was later licensed to Disco Wax Records and distributed by Sony Music Entertainment in the United Kingdom, Finland and Denmark. Several of Akcent's singles have been added to dance compilations and/or released singularly off of different major recording labels including Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and Ministry of Sound.

In the northern-hemisphere summer of 2012, Akcent released the single "Chimie Intre Noi" ("Chemistry between us"), produced by Sînă. In September 2012, the group embarked on a U.S. tour, performing sold out shows in New York City, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Akcent signed with Shakir Entertainment Management in New York City on November 26, 2012. As of December 2012, the group's music videos and songs on YouTube had been viewed close to 1 billion times, and they had more than 3 million fans on Facebook. Akcent is the only international pop act to perform live in Pakistan several times within the past two years.

2013–2014: Disbandment and lasting success

In September 2013, the band split after a quarrel, leaving Sînă as the only member of the band.

As of September 2013, Adrian Sînă was the only male artist with the most chart entries on the Romanian Top 100. Overall, only artists like Madonna or Rihanna had more entries than him. In 2014, he saw immense success with the songs "Kamelia" and "Faina". In 2015, he released the successful singles "Te Quiero" ft. Galena and "Amor Gitana" ft. Sandra N. In 2016, he released the album Love the Show. He has remained loyal to the original style of Akcent. Meanwhile, Sorin Brotnei and Gruia Mihai started their own band, "Two."

Discography

Albums

Akcent in 2006
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
SWE
[2]
Senzatzia
În culori
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
100 bpm
  • Released: 14 May 2003[5]
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: CD, digital download, cassette, streaming
S.O.S.
  • Released: 30 April 2005[6]
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: CD, digital download, cassette, streaming
French Kiss with Kylie
  • Released: 6 July 2007[8]
  • Label: Magic
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
37
King of Disco
  • Released: January 2007
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: CD, digital download, cassette, streaming
Fără lacrimi
  • Released: 2 February 2009[9]
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
True Believers
  • Released: 18 September 2009[10]
  • Label: Magic
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Love the Show
  • Released: 1 April 2016[11]
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title Extended play details
Poveste de viaţă
Around the World
  • Released: 21 March 2014[13]
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Compilations

List of compilations
Title Compilation details
Primul capitol
Luchshiye Khity (Лучшие Хиты)
  • Released: 21 October 2014[upper-alpha 3]
  • Label: RDS
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Diamentowa Kolekcja Disco: Faina
Akcent 20
  • Released: 1 February 2019[16]
  • Label: Roton
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
The Greatest Hits of Akcent
  • Released: 11 June 2021[upper-alpha 5]
  • Label: EQ Music
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
ROM
[18][upper-alpha 6]
BUL
[19]
CIS
[20]
DEN
[21]
FRA
[22]
GER
[23]
GRE
[24]
NLD
[25]
SWE
[2]
TUR
[26]
"Ultima vară" 2000 Senzatzia
"Ți-am promis"[3] 2001 5 În culori
"Prima iubire" 2002 2
"În culori" 17
"Buchet de trandafiri" 2003 13 100 bpm
"Suflet pereche" 8
"Poveste de viață" 2004 23 Poveste de viață
"Spune-mi (Hey Baby)" 56
"Kylie"[upper-alpha 7] 2005 2
[28]
105 18 21 91 4 18 S.O.S. /
French Kiss with Kylie
"Jokero" 2006 1 6 27 7 S.O.S.
"French Kiss" 2 108
"King of Disco" 2007 7 75 King of Disco
"Let's Talk About It" 51 114
"Umbrela ta" 2008 Fără lacrimi
"Stay with Me" 2009 1 6 7 Fără lacrimi /
True Believers
"That's My Name" 5 3 73 1
"How Deep Is Your Love" Non-album
singles
"Too Late to Cry"
(Vivien O'Hara featuring Akcent)
27
"Love Stoned" 2010 27 124
"My Passion" 5 28 2
"Feelings on Fire"
(featuring Ruxandra Bar)
2011 71
"Angel"
"I'm Sorry"
(feat. Sandra N.)
2012 12
"Back to Me"
"Chimie între noi"
"Arde ceva" 2013
"Boracay"
(featuring Sandra N.)
5 176 1
"Lacrimi curg"
"Kamelia"
(featuring Lidia Buble and DDY Tunes)
2014 10 1 Around the World
"Faina" 12
"Dilemma" 2015 61 Love the Show
"Te Quiero" 12
"Amor Gitana"
(featuring Sandra N.)
59 168
"Push"
(featuring Amira)
2016
"Lost in Love" 2020 TBA
"You Don't Know My Love" 2021
"Heart Attack"
(with Olivia Addams)
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
ROM
[29]
"Cel mai dulce cadou" 2002 21 În culori

Member timeline

Notes

  1. Sales of În culori in Romania as of June 2007.[3]
  2. Sales of S.O.S. in Romania as of December 2005.[7]
  3. Russia-only release.[14]
  4. Poland-only release.[15]
  5. Asia-only release.[17]
  6. Notes concerning the Romanian peaks:
  7. "Kylie" is the English version of "Dragoste de închiriat".[27]

References

  1. "Interview Akcent 2007 on YouTube
  2. "Discography Akcent". Swedish Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. Georgescu, Oana (9 June 2007). "Akcent si-a lansat cel mai nou single" [Akcent has released their new single] (in Romanian). 9am. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  4. "Pop-Rock Romanesc: Akcent" [Romanian pop-rock: Akcent] (in Romanian). Agerpres. 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  5. 100 bpm (Liner notes). Akcent. Roton/NRG!A. 2003. 5948204340841.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. S.O.S. (Liner notes). Akcent. Roton/NRG!A. 2005. 5948204375447.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Andronie, Dana (28 December 2005). "Cei mai vanduti cantareti" [The best-selling artists]. Jurnalul (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  8. "French Kiss with Kylie by Akcent on Apple Music". iTunes Store (PL). 6 July 2007. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  9. Fără lacrimi (Liner notes). Akcent. Roton/NRG!A. 2009. 5948204422028.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. "True Believers by Akcent on Apple Music". iTunes Store (PL). 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  11. "Love the Show by Akcent on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  12. Poveste de viaţă (Liner notes). Akcent. Roton/NRG!A. 2004. 5948204354749.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. "Around the World by Akcent on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  14. "Лучшие Хиты by Akcent on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  15. "Diamentowa Kolekcja Disco: Faina" (in Polish). Empik. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  16. "Akcent 20 by Akcent on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 1 February 2019. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  17. The Greatest Hits of Akcent (Liner notes). Akcent. EQ Music. 2021. 8886352741660.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. For peak positions in Romania:
  19. For peak positions in Bulgaria:
  20. "Akcent - Listen All Songs" (in Russian). TopHit. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  21. "Discography Akcent". Danish Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  22. "Discographie Akcent" (in French). French Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  23. "Akcent - Kylie" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  24. "Greece Digital Songs – November 14, 2009". Billboard. 14 November 2009. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  25. "Discografie Akcent" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  26. For peak positions in Turkey:
  27. "Piesa trupei Akcent - hitul verii in Olanda" [Akcent's song - hit of the summer in the Netherlands] (in Romanian). 9am. 10 June 2005. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  28. Naie, Mihai (4 March 2006). "Akcent a tras un Joker(o)" [Akcent has pulled a Joker(o)]. Jurnalul (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  29. "Ediția 2, săptămâna 20.01 – 26.01, 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 14 May 2005. Retrieved 11 July 2017.

Sources

  • Click! (in Romanian). 11 December 2013
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