A wave of excitement swept through on Thursday afternoon (April 24) when LEX announced his concert at OAKA. The online ticket demand surged instantly, with thousands of fans waiting for up to five hours for a chance to secure their spot.
On April 25, production company Dynasty confirmed that the concert had sold out but requested a few days to accommodate as many fans as possible in the near future. LEX’s concerts regularly draw tens of thousands, particularly captivating the younger crowd. At his event in Nea Smyrni, nearly 20,000 fans filled the Panionios stadium, while his concert at Kautanzoglio attracted around 30,000 attendees.
Who is LEX?
Alexis Lanaras, better known as LEX, was born on September 25, 1984, in Thessaloniki and grew up in the Faliro area. He began his journey as a street artist with the group 2G, and in 1999, they transitioned into music, releasing “Voria Asteria” (Northern Stars).
With “Voria Asteria,” they produced four albums before pursuing individual careers. During this time, LEX collaborated with Mikros Klefis to form “Anapoda Kapela,” releasing their first album in 2007.
He launched his solo career in 2010, debuting with “Tapinoi kai Pinasmenoi” (Humble and Hungry) in 2014. However, it was his 2018 album “2XXX,” which featured Dof Twogee, that catapulted him to fame. The hit track “Vittorio” and the 2010 single “Tipota ston Kosmo” dominated the charts, remaining at the top of YouTube for weeks.
In the summer of 2019, LEX headlined a concert at the Petra Theater in Athens, attracting around 10,000 attendees. Observers noted that he “raises the bar in the rap scene” with each live show. His musical journey took a significant leap after 2019, leading to numerous collaborations and singles, including his work on Dof Twogee’s project with “Varane.”
On October 21, 2022, he performed at Kautanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki, drawing a record crowd of approximately 30,000—marking a milestone for hip-hop concerts in Greece, as he regularly pays homage to his hometown through his songs.
In 2022, LEX released “Metro,” further elevating his fame. In 2023, he made his mark on Greece’s first orchestral rap album, “Arte Povera,” performing the track “Eftychismenes Meres” (Happy Days). Additionally, he collaborated on Haroula Alexiou’s “Reworks,” adding a rap element to “Fige.”
His latest album, “G.T.K.” (For the Culture), came out in 2024, with lyrics addressing various social, political, and personal themes.
The Latest Album and Record – “Outlaw Love” in Stadiums
Upon releasing new songs in December 2024, social media erupted with fan praise, with comments like “G.O.A.T. of Greek hip-hop,” “What more could you ask for from a LEX album?” and “LEX, thank you,” prompting speculation about summer performances at Kallimarmaro or OAKA.
“G.T.K.” went gold, with his record label, Stay Independent, noting it as the fastest certified gold album in Greek history. Standout tracks such as “Nychterides,” “Alitiki Agapi” (Outlaw Love), and “Cheiroteri Genia” (Worst Generation) each garnered over 2.8 million streams, contributing to the album’s total of over 25.5 million streams on Spotify.
Banners inspired by LEX’s lyrics were displayed at OAKA during a match between Panathinaikos and Helsinki, attended by around 15,000 fans. A large banner reading “Alitiki Agapi” was raised before kickoff, referencing a song from his album.
Days earlier, similar banners honoring LEX were spotted at Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium during a match between Aris and Volos, as well as at Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium during a game featuring Asteras Tripolis and PAOK.
LEX and… Mantalos
One of his songs includes the line, “In December ’23, I played Korydallos. I felt like a football player; I heard Mantalo behind me.” This sparked speculation about AEK player Petros Mantalos and quickly went viral. However, another interpretation suggests “mantalo” refers to a door latch, linking it back to Korydallos and hinting at a connection to prison.
LEX undeniably stands as a “phenomenon,” breaking records in the local music scene and earning widespread acclaim from fans, social media, and sports venues.
Getting to Know LEX… Musically
Despite his fame, the rapper maintains a low profile, rarely giving interviews or discussing his personal life. Instead, fans connect with him through his lyrics, which are deeply rooted in his personal experiences. This may play a significant role in his success, as his music offers a form of “therapy” for listeners.
In summary, LEX is a true “phenomenon,” continually breaking records in the music scene and receiving recognition across various platforms—from concerts to social media and sports arenas.
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