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Vladi Ampov.

Singer, composer and music producer with over 35 years of experience on stage

for me

1988

For the first time on stage

1988 was the year when Vladi Ampov - Graf first appeared on the professional stage. Then, in front of a three-thousand-strong audience in Universiada Hall, Sofia, ten-year-old Vladi and the trio "Special Case" performed the song "Mom, Dad and Me", written especially for him by his father Kiril Ampov.Years later, in an interview with the newspaper "24 hours", Ampov says: "I remember that at first I was worried backstage, but as soon as the lights shone, my worries evaporated, and when I heard the applause and saw the euphoria of the spectators, I fell in love with the adrenaline of live performances."
1988
1993

Debut album

Graf's debut album Rubber Men was released on 29 November 1993. Released on audio cassette, the album contained 10 original songs by Vladi Ampov. It was released by Unison Stars.At the end of 1993, the first vinyl maxi single was released, "All Right, Baby", and the following year the second, "Jump In The River". On July 21, 1995 he won the grand prize at the Blue Pearl of Rovinj festival in Croatia.
1993
1996 - 1999

Pachanga

Vladi Ampov's second album is Green Caviar (1996, CD, MC). The third was called "6 is Better" (1998, CD, MC) and included the hit "Pachanga".About this period of his life, Grafa says: "I was a free student, driving my Trabant, singing "Pachanga". It was actually my first song that became a hit. I remember how with a friend of mine - Yuli, we toured the Bulgarian Black Sea coast from Sinemorets to Shabla and we stopped in every resort village, we went to every disco and I gave the CD to every DJ".In Graf 1999 he wrote the music for the first electronic musical in Bulgaria - "Tokov удар", which was released on the market as a soundtrack.
1996 - 1999
2001

I give everything for you

"I Give Everything for You is the fourth album in Vladi Ampov's discography, released and co-produced by Joker Media (November 2001). The title track from it won him two awards for best lyrics - from the annual BG Radio awards and the BNT show "MelotTVMania"."I give everything for you" became one of the golden hits of Bulgarian music and marked the beginning of a new stage in Graf's development as an artist.
2001
2003

I want you

In June 2003 Vladi Ampov's multimedia album "I Want You" was released on the Bulgarian music market. For seven weeks in a row the single of the same name was on top of the Bulgarian Top 100. The song won the award for BG lyrics at the annual BG Radio Music Awards for 2003, Grafa received the prize for BG artist, and "I Want You" became the Album of 2003.
2003
2004

If there is a paradise

In December 2004, the album "If there is a Heaven" was released. It includes two duets - with Maria Ilieva "Stolen Love" and "I Love" featuring Teodosii Spasov.The album and the song of the same name from it won Graf the awards for Artist and Pop Song of 2004 at the annual MM TV Music Awards, as well as the awards for Best Lyrics and Album of 2004 at the annual BG Radio Awards. The song "If There Is Paradise" was number 1 in the Bulgarian Top 100 for 12 weeks.
2004
2005

Publishing a book

In November 2005, Vladi Ampov's first and so far only book, The Count, was published."It is intended for people who want to understand what a young man of 27 thinks about the world, life, love, betrayal, sadness...", says Grafa about it.The first printing of the book sold out in a few weeks, it was re-released in 2007. "The Scars on the Back" is sold with a gift - a DVD of the concert "If there is Heaven", an interview, videos and a photo gallery.
2005
3 November 2006

First national tour

On November 3, 2006 Graf's first national tour began under the motto "Honestly in the Eyes", which is also the name of his next album. During the tour the popular singer sings in 8 cities and the final concert is in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture.In the same year he was chosen to support Seale at his concert in Sofia.
3 November 2006
25 March 2007

Three BG Radio Awards

On 25 March 2007, after his first successful tour and the album "Honestly in the Eyes", Grafa was awarded three prizes at the annual BG Radio Music Awards ceremony: BG Artist, BG Lyrics ("Green and Brown") and BG Composer.In the same year he supported George Michael's concert in Sofia.
25 March 2007
2008

Awards

On 25 November 2008 Vladi Ampov celebrated 20 years since the start of his musical career with a concert in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture. The anniversary show was attended by a symphony orchestra, the singer Maria Ilieva, Teodosii Spasov, the band Akaga and others.Graf opened his jubilee with the songs "I Want You", "Vanilla", "Green and Brown" and "Lovers Tears", accompanied by the Monte Orchestra Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Georgi Palikarov, orchestrations by Rumen Boyadzhiev Jr.Grafa became Artist of the Decade, a recognition he received the same year at the ceremony of the "Music Awards of the Decade" of TV MM;
2008
2010

MM Awards

"My new album is very strong and definitely worth it, especially with this drought of albums in Bulgaria" are the words of Graf about the album "Invisible". Traditionally modest, Vladi Ampov correctly prophesied that "Invisible" would win BG Radio's "Album of the Year" award. " I'll bet you that when I'm in very good mental health, when I'm happy, like this period of my life - I only write sad songs. And vice versa: my most cheerful pieces I wrote them when I was the most depressed" - reveals the secret of his inspiration Grafa, and it is not lacking in 2011."Nobody" is a song that touches the heart of lovers, and "Together" became an anthem for dozens of good causes.
2010
2012

Smoke me out

"Smoke Me Out" is truly a universe hit and has almost 3 million views on the internet."People like it because the song has a message and it makes me happy that they sing it," explains Graf in an interview with 24 Hours. The song is played everywhere - radios, discos, roadside traps, telephones. Its success gave strength to dozens of other Bulgarian performers and the following years the interest in native music returned.
2012
2014

Forbes

"You have to fight, you have to stand up, you have to believe, you have to not give up, you have to not despair, you have to keep learning, you have to be open, you have to listen to others. There is always a bit of luck, but you can't wait for it to land on your shoulder, you have to challenge it", explains Vladi Ampov - Grafa his success in the year he ranked in the top three of the Forbes "Top 70 Bulgarian celebrities".
2014
2016

The price of fame and success

"The biggest price I paid for fame and success is that I became a workaholic." Said in an interview with Nova TV Graf in the key year of his career 2016.Then Vladi Ampov announced his first concert in the largest hall in Bulgaria - Arena Armeec (April 6, 2017), coached in the most rated music TV format in Bulgaria - "The Voice of Bulgaria", released the album "Moments", which included the iconic hits "Domino", "Drama Queen", "Wolf One".
2016
6 April 2017

Concert in Arena Armeec

"My concert at Arena Armeec (6 April 2017) was a unique experience. I still can't realize what happened", says Bulgarian singer Vladi Ampov - Grafa in the "120 Minutes" show."I'm glad that my team and I walked this almost year-long road to reach a full hall and so many fans. There are always risks in life, but it's good to take them," Grafa adds.The concert was completely sold out and over 14 thousand fans shared the strong emotions of the brilliant performance of Grafa and his musicians.
6 April 2017
2018

India

"I fulfilled a dream - to shoot in India. But ten days were not enough and I want to go back there for longer," Grafa told the Monitor newspaper. In the exotic Asian country Vladi Ampov filmed the videos of the songs "Fire" and "The Last Song".
2018
2019

Side Observer

"One of the most important things is that you keep going forward, going against the people who try to give up on you" - that's how Graffa comments on the message of the song of the same name from the new album "Side Observer".In the same year, the unqualified hit "Yes", a duet with singer Beloslava, was released.
2019
2020

Concerts during a pandemic

"I had no time for a bad mood, I'm a pretty hard-working guy and the quarantine didn't stop me from working hard. I used the time to improve myself - instrumental, vocal techniques" - this is a quote from an interview in the particularly difficult year of 2020 for musicians, when Covinid 19 changed all our lives. In keeping with all the requirements that the pandemic imposed, Graf performed 4 consecutive outdoor concerts in the heart of Sofia - the Yunak Stadium. The song "You Shine" became a summer hit
2020

2022

At the end of February Grafa presents the song "Tomorrow Again". In March, he also released an acoustic version. The single is the title track of the new bTV series "Think of Me".At the end of the year Vladi Ampov brings to life the song "Sin", included in the album "If there is a paradise" (2006)."When I compose I imagine pictures, worlds, images...", says Graf. "I wanted 'Sin' to be entirely with live instruments. So I went to a big studio to record the piano and playing the song I felt a spiritual delight and satisfaction. I also made the arrangement for the string orchestra with more depth and dynamics in the melodic lines. The words are by my father Kiril Ampov. For me this is one of his most wonderful lyrics!... The power of music changes us beyond recognition and makes us unearthly beautiful inside!"On March 19, 2023 Vladi Ampov announced his first concert at the largest sports facility in Bulgaria - the Vasil Levski National Stadium.On June 1, Grafa presented his new album "Vekovna Gora", which is named after the single of the same name featuring the female choir "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices"
1 June 2023

Album "Ancient Forest"

On June 1, Grafa presented his new album "Vekovna Gora", which is named after the single of the same name featuring the female choir "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices".
1 June 2023
30 September 2023

Concert at Vasil Levski Stadium

On September 30, 2023, Grafa opened a new page in the history of Bulgarian pop music by becoming the first pop artist with a solo concert at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. Preparations for it lasted for almost a year and with the support of ProCredit Bank the show is on a world level. The partner of the event is the foundation of the best Bulgarian football player of the new century Dimitar Berbatov, which for 15 years has been supporting the talents of outstanding Bulgarian children in the fields of culture, science and sport. The reverberations of the spectacular show and the emotions experienced by over 20 000 attendees echo for months.
30 September 2023

Vladimir Kirillov Ampov (born 21 July 1978), known by the artistic pseudonym Graf, is a singer, composer and music producer. Born and raised in Sofia, in a family of musicians, Grafa began to be involved in music at an early age. His first public performance was at the age of 10, when together with his parents (trio "Emergency"), he sang the song "Mom, Dad and Me" in front of a large audience.

Graf's long career includes 15 albums, over 50 awards, 40 number 1 singles, 90 videos and countless sold out concerts.

In 2008 Grafa became a co-founder of the music label Monte Music, with which he produced some of the most successful artists on the contemporary Bulgarian music scene. As a music producer, Grafa is behind the realization of many of the most popular Bulgarian songs in recent years.

In 2009, Graf was the first Bulgarian artist to conquer MTV's World Chart Express with his song "Vanilla". There are 11 more of his songs broadcast there. In 2021, the music TV giant included Grafa, Fabrizio Parisi and The Editor's collaborative project "Prison" on MTV Club playlists.

Over the years Grafa has consolidated his position as the most successful Bulgarian artist of our time. One of his most famous collaborative projects from the beginning of the new millennium are the songs "Stolen Love" and "Do You Hear Me", in duet with Maria Ilieva. Graf also collaborated with Orlin Pavlov and Lubo Kirov on the song "Together" - two of the most significant Bulgarian artists of the new era. The single became an anthem of charity projects and campaigns. Graf also entered into collaborations with artists such as Beloslava, Mihaela Fileva, Vesko Eshkenazi, Mystery of Bulgarian Voices, VenZi, Billy the Kid, Jahmmi, Wosh MC, FeeL and others. Grafa was chosen to support the concerts in Bulgaria of Seal, George Michael, Jennifer Lopez, Jessie J.

In 2012. In 2012, Graf released the super hit "Smoke Me Out". The song was a collaboration with singer Bobo and beatboxing champion Pechenka. The single set a record in the Bulgarian charts and was the most downloaded song in the year of its release. "Smoke is Gone" has also become a hit in neighbouring North Macedonia. In 2018, Grafa also recorded a song with the most famous Macedonian hip-hop star Slatkaristika. In Grafa's golden collection of hits, we find the iconic "A dano, a na dalali", "Domino", "Moments", "Drama Queen", "Fire", "The Last Song", "Ca$H", "Sideline Observer", "Yes (duet with Beloslava), "You Shine", "Chimera", "Prime Time" "Tomorrow Again", "Veckova gora", which conquered the music charts in the country. Between 2008 and 2023, Grafa released 6 successful studio albums - "Greatest Hits", "Invisible", "Smoke to me gone", "Moments", "Sideline Observer" and "Veckova gora".

Throughout his musical career Vladi Ampov has been dedicated to his cause of developing the Bulgarian concert scene. He was the first young pop artist in Bulgaria with a national tour back in 2006, which ended with a successful concert in the prestigious Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture.

On April 6, 2017, Grafa celebrated a new achievement for the Bulgarian music scene by selling out the tickets for his concert in the biggest event hall - Arena Armeec. He thus became the first Bulgarian contemporary pop artist to perform a solo concert in front of more than 14,000 fans in Bulgaria. The successful production is the beginning of a large-scale national tour of Graf and his live band, which reaches 8 major Bulgarian cities, and the tickets for the events are completely sold out.

On 27 and 28 November 2018, Vladimir Ampov - Graf impressed his fans with two consecutive different and impressive concerts at the National Palace of Culture with a lot of new music and magical energy. On stage with him then came the musicians Borislav Boyadzhiev -Borche, Miroslav Ivanov, Vaseto Krumov, Alexander Obretenov, Krasi Todorov, Ventsy Trifonov, trio LaTiDa.

What follows is a period of intense concert programming and sold-out shows across the country. During the difficult years 2020 and 2021 for the Kovid music industry, Graf continues to actively create and perform in accordance with the safety requirements imposed during this period.

On September 30, 2023, Grafa opened a new page in the history of Bulgarian pop music by becoming the first pop artist with a solo concert at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. Preparations for it lasted for almost a year and with the support of ProCredit Bank the show is on a world level. The partner of the event is the foundation of the best Bulgarian football player of the new century Dimitar Berbatov, which for 15 years has been supporting the talents of outstanding Bulgarian children in the fields of culture, science and sport. The reverberations of the spectacular show and the emotions experienced by over 20 000 attendees echo for months.

Grafa has won countless awards and nominations, including the prestigious "Artist of the Decade" award presented by MM TV at the Decade Awards ceremony. In the list of honors over the years, Grafa has a record of over 50 statuettes from various ceremonies (BG Radio Annual Music Awards, MM TV, MeloTVmania, Fan TV, 359 Hip-Hop Awards, BNR, SEE ME, Radio Fresh, BOX TV). Among them are the awards for Best Album, Best Artist, Best Song, Best Video, Best Composer, Best Lyrics and others.

In December 2014, Grafa ranked in the top three of Forbes' "Top 70 Bulgarian Celebrities", his popularity and recognition securing him a coveted spot on the cover of the issue. At an official ceremony held on May 23, 2023, Grafa was awarded the honorary sign for his contribution to Bulgarian culture and art "Golden Feather".

Graffa is a singer and composer known for his flair for film and theatre music ("12 Night", "Ruth", "Rugby" and others). In 2024 he wrote the music for the production of the Youth Theatre "Nikolay Binev" - "Pippi Longstocking", which enjoyed huge interest from the audience. Over the years his songs have been the soundtracks to popular Bulgarian TV series. Among them are "Sun in Your Eyes" ("Sea Salt", Nova TV), "Moments" ("Sofia - Day and Night", Nova TV), "Neighborhood Gentlemen" ("The Cops from the End of Town", Nova TV), "Tomorrow Again" ("Don't Think of Me", BTV). The song "Moments" was also chosen for the soundtrack of the Czech version of "Prague - Day and Night".

Together with the Monte Music label, Grafa is the music producer of the first season of the TV format "X-Factor" Bulgaria (Nova TV - 2011), as well as of the author's music reality show "Intermediate Station" - "Music Academy" (TV7 - 2012). In 2016, Monte Music and BG Records produced the music TV series "BG Version" (BNT, BNT HD), promoting Bulgarian music. From 2017 to 2020, Grafa was a coach in the TV show "The Voice of Bulgaria" (BTV).

Graf is part of many charity projects, especially those dedicated to child care, education and health. With the help of Monte Music, he organized a national tour in 2013 to raise funds for UNICEF and accepted the honor of being one of the ambassadors of the organization in Bulgaria by performing another concert in Sofia. In 2017, Grafa wrote the song "Hope" specifically for the "Saving Lives is Commitment. It does not deserve humiliation!" The campaign against violence of medics was initiated by the Bulgarian Medical Association. In 2022, Vladi Ampov is participating in UNICEF's massive campaign to support every child's right to care, education and protection from violence.

Discography