Quick Facts
Biography
Xenia Ghali (born 1989) is a Greek-French songwriter, record producer and disc jockey signed to the record label Mr 305. She is the founder of Funky Sheep Records, and is known for her dance music singles and fashion videos.
Early life
Ghali was born in 1989 in Paris, France and was raised in Athens, Greece to a Greek mother and Egyptian father. She is the eldest of two sisters. Ghali has been classically trained on the piano and flute since the age of 5. At 15 she taught herself the guitar and the drums after forming a high school band in which she played lead guitar. During her time in the band, Ghali began songwriting. In 2008 she moved to the UK and studied music at the University of Surrey, earning a bachelor's degree in Creative Music Technology.
Career
Ghali began DJing with turntables and played at clubs in the UK, including Ministry of Sound. In 2009 she earned 4th place in the Pan-European AACTe Apple Creative Talent Competition organized by Apple.
After earning her bachelor's degree, Ghali enrolled in the Music Composition and Production Master's program at New York University. While in New York, she competed in the 2013 iStandard Producer Showcase in New York City and was one of two winners. During the summer of 2013 she worked extensively in her home country Greece, performing at a number of live events including the 2013 MAD Video Music Awards Kick Off Party, the 2013 MAD Video Music Awards, and the 2013 Str8 Forward Festival.
Ghali founded Funky Sheep Records in 2013.
In May 2014 Ghali co-wrote and produced Ben Moon's "Change", which was also remixed by José Nunez.
In August 2014 she signed with Pitbull's record label Mr 305 and released her debut single "Broken" with Katt Rockell; the track hit Top 30 on US Dance radio. The track was released with a fashion-oriented video. Ghali released a slightly different version of "Broken" in Greek with Tamta titled "Gennithika Gia Sena". It was released in 2014 by Minos EMI. "Gennithika Gia Sena" peaked at number 2 on Greek radio. She performed it at the 2014 MADwalk – Fashion Music Project.
In summer of 2014 she collaborated with Greek Pop star Sakis Rouvas and co-wrote and produced his single "Open Eyes" which he performed at the World Music Awards. "Open Eyes" was also released in Greek titled "Pio Psila". Ghali also remixed a number of tracks on Mr 305, such as Pitbull's "Fun", which featured Chris Brown and for Mr Vegas' "My Jam", which featured Pitbull.
Later in 2014 Ghali spent time working in the US and performed with Erick Morillo on Hollywood Hamilton's 'Remix Top 30'. Wyclef Jean made a guest appearance during her set and performed their single "Get Dirty". The two also performed "Get Dirty" at the 2015 SXSW in Austin, Texas; Ghali operated the turntables and played the piano. The track was released in 2015 on her label Funky Sheep Records.
Ghali presented an award at the 2015 Winter Music Conference IDMAs in Miami Florida. In 2016, Ghali released "Under These Lights" through her label Funky Sheep Records. On 18 June 2016, the single reached number 1 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. The chart position resulted in an interview with Billboard, as well as interviews with The Huffington Post and AOL.
Ghali also performed "Under These Lights" on Greece's X Factor and is a brand ambassador for G-Star Raw, Adidas and Eastpak in Greece. Ghali's single, "Places", was released at the end of 2016 and features vocals from singer-songwriter and actress Raquel Castro. The song also has a music video starring Teen Wolf star Ryan Kelley.
Fashion
Ghali creates custom handmade accessories and headphones. Her fashion sense is displayed in her live performances and music videos, including the lyric video release of "Broken" Featuring Katt Rockell. Ghali discussed fashion in relation to DJs during the "From the Dance Floor to The Runway: Fashion & Music" panel at the 2015 Winter Music Conference. She also wrote the soundtrack for Michael Costello's 2015 fashion show video.
Discography
Solo singles
2013
- Xenia Ghali featuring Jessica Sutta - "Out with a Bang" (Funky Sheep Records)
2014
- Tamta featuring Xenia Ghali – "Gennithika Gia Sena" (Minos EMI/Universal)
- Xenia Ghali featuring Katt Rockell – "Broken" (Mr 305/Exit 8/Funky Sheep Records)
2015
- Xenia Ghali featuring Wyclef Jean – "Get Dirty" (Mr 305/Exit 8/Funky Sheep Records)
2016
- Xenia Ghali – "Under These Lights" (Funky Sheep Records)
- Xenia Ghali featuring Raquel Castro – "Places" (Funky Sheep Records)
Songwriting and production credits
2013
- Xenia Ghali featuring Jessica Sutta – "Out with a Bang" (Funky Sheep Records)
2014
- Tamta featuring Xenia Ghali – "Gennithika Gia Sena" (Minos EMI/Universal)
- Xenia Ghali featuring Katt Rockell – "Broken" (Mr 305/Exit 8/Funky Sheep Records)
- Sakis Rouvas – "Open Eyes" (Minos EMI/Universal)
- Sakis Rouvas – "Pio Psila" (Minos EMI/Universal)
- Ben Moon – "Change" (Roklyfe)