Michalis Kouinelis
A pioneering figure in Greek hip-hop, leading the group Stavento to fuse rap with traditional sounds and dominate the local music scene.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Greek rapper·Birthday: March 22·Generation X
Biography
Michalis Kouinelis, known as Stavento or METH, is the dynamic engine of one of Greece's most influential hip-hop acts. Emerging in the early 2000s, he and his partner in Stavento, Vladimiros Sofianidis, forged a new sound by weaving traditional Greek melodies and instruments into hard-hitting rap beats. This fusion captured the spirit of a generation, producing anthems that resonated far beyond typical hip-hop audiences. As a frontman, Kouinelis's raspy, charged delivery and thoughtful, often socially conscious lyrics gave the music its edge and heart. Stavento's consistent chart success and massive live shows cemented them as pillars of modern Greek pop culture, with Kouinelis's voice serving as a defining element of the country's musical identity for over two decades.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Michalis was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Michalis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Michalis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-founded and fronts the massively popular Greek hip-hop group Stavento, which has released multiple platinum-selling albums.
- Pioneered the fusion of contemporary hip-hop with traditional Greek musical elements, creating a distinct and widely imitated sound.
- Has written and performed numerous number-one hits on the Greek radio charts over a career spanning more than 20 years.
Did You Know?
The name 'Stavento' is a portmanteau of the Greek words for 'stay' and 'wind.'
He is also a successful songwriter, penning tracks for many other prominent Greek artists.
Beyond music, he has ventured into acting, appearing in Greek television series.
“Our sound is the street talking with the bouzouki in its hand.”
