André

André Sergeyi Hovnanyan, known professionally as André, is an Armenian singer and producer celebrated for his significant contributions to Armenian pop music. Born on July 8, 1979, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, he began his musical journey at the age of three, performing for his family. By six, he was enrolled in a music school, where he started piano lessons. At nine, he composed his first song, “Prayer,” reflecting his deep appreciation for music and spirituality. His professional career commenced at fifteen after winning the “Road to Renaissance” music contest. He later served as the lead vocalist for the pop-jazz band Karabakh, touring extensively across Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region. 

In 2006, André made history by becoming Armenia’s first representative at the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. Performing “Without Your Love,” a blend of modern Western and traditional Armenian music, he secured eighth place in the final with 129 points. The song was composed by Armen Martirosyan, with arrangements by Ara Torosyan, and the performance was produced by Anush Hovnanyan. 

Beyond Eurovision, André has been a prominent figure in various international music festivals, earning accolades such as the “Champion of the World” title at the 2004 World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood. His discography includes albums like “Es em” (2003), “Miayn Ser” (2005), “1000x” (2006), “Yerjankutyan Gaghtnik” (2008), “ANDREnaline” (2010), and “Im Hogi” (2014). 

André has also served as a judge on several television talent shows, including “Pop Idol,” “My Name Is…,” “Premiere,” and “The X Factor.” Notably, during his tenure on “The X Factor,” his team emerged as the absolute winner, setting a world record in the show’s history. He further expanded his television presence with his reality show, “Andrenaline.”

In 2013, he collaborated with Turkish-Armenian singer Sibil on a concert in Istanbul, celebrating Armenian cultural anniversaries. This performance featured a medley of traditional Armenian tunes and songs from their repertoires, showcasing André’s commitment to cultural dialogue and musical innovation.

After releasing the album Im Hogi in 2014, André continued to stay active in the Armenian music world. Between 2015 and 2018, he performed at concerts and cultural events, remaining a popular figure in Armenian pop. In 2019, he took part in several events promoting Armenian heritage and music. On April 24, 2021, André performed outside the Turkish Consulate in Beverly Hills during a remembrance event for the Armenian Genocide. In 2022, he released a new single called Tamam Ashxarh, showing that he still enjoyed creating music. In 2023, one of his earlier songs, Qaminer, was performed live by the band Nemra, which showed how his music continues to inspire a younger generation of Armenian artists.