Despina Vandi is a Greek laïko singer who was born in Stuttgart–Tübingen, West Germany and later raised in Kavala, Greece. She has had three records certified gold and 11 certified at least once platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry of Greece. Since the beginning of her recording career in 1994, Vandi has released eight studio albums in Greece and Cyprus: Gela Mou (1994), Esena Perimeno (1996), Profities (1999), Gia (2001), Stin Avli Tou Paradeisou (2004), 10 Hronia Mazi (2007), and C'est La Vie (2010). She has also released one live album, titled Despina Vandi Live and two studio albums abroad: Gia (2003) and Come Along Now (2005). Vandi's releases have been issued on the record labels Minos EMI (1994–2000), Heaven Music (2001–09), and The Spicy Effect (201