It was truly difficult to imagine: 300 million aggregate hits in worldwide social network; the YouTube alone with almost 40 million views in just six months. And guess who? Niko’s famous band with singers Manu Murghulia, Amiko Chokharadze, Nanuka Porchkhidze, Niko Nanitashvili himself, piano and music director Davit Porchkhidze, and the idea and production by Zviad Bliadze. The song that has made them so uncannily likable and famous is titled ‘Georgian Disco’, released on November 23, 2023, and based on the original Italian song ‘Italo Disco’, a song by Italian rock band the Kolors, which hit the airwaves May 5, 2023.
What seems most incredible is that the Georgian version of this immensely amusing pop song has outclassed, outdone and out-beaten the overly popular Italian vocal piece. On top of that, the Georgian version of the hit song was ranked number 15 in the most famous in the world search list of the British origin Shazam, an application that can identify music based on a short sample played using the microphone on the device.
The Georgian cover of Italo Disco, named Disco Farisco, alias Kartuli (Georgian) Disco, went viral online, having become one of the strongest hits on TikTok. The Georgian musicians, having slightly modified the rhythm and melody of the original music, came up with the jovial version of the Italian song, singing away about the world-famous celebrities visiting Tbilisi, who could never be better than the Georgian disco. They also humorously praise the Georgian Khachapuri, giving it a lovely preference over Italian Pizza.
Niko’s Band was born in the musical depths of PosTv, the television station singlehandedly created several years ago by the well-known old-timer of the Georgian media world Shalva Ramishvili, as another internet TV outlet, and developed into a huge system of newscasting and entertainment. The naturally talented and relevantly educated young men and women employed by this channel successfully keep up the high standard of both journalism and showbusiness. It was exactly this kind of background that tossed their beloved Niko’s Band into the international orbit of arts and entertainment.
Niko Nanitashvili himself is a typical self-made man, one who has used all his talent-ridden capacity to the fullest extent, starting out as an anchor of PosTv and finally creating his own entertainment evening show. Certainly, Niko couldn’t have done his great job without the imaginative and exceptionally creative action of Zviad Bliadze, the experienced producer, director and stage personality himself.
Manu Murghulia, at 20, has already become a star of Georgian showbiz. This fiery young talent is everywhere, including Irma Sokhadze’s noon show on PosTv, where she figures as one of the anchors of the popular program. Moreover, the lady has been accepted by the prestigious Berkley music school, having won a 50% scholarship. Incidentally, Manu started singing when she was only one year of age.
Nanuka Potchkhidze, another female singer of the band, has totally charmed the audience with her style and timbre. Both girls are clearly promising, with every single quality needed for stardom.
Amiko (Amiran) Chokharadze, the second male singer of the group, is a genuine bouquet of versatile art form and content. He can sing and dance, he is a great comedian, a perfect anchor, and an outstanding showman of major caliber.
Travelling beyond the boundaries of their native country, these four boys and girls make a memorable bunch of vocal and choreographic actors and actresses, who can successfully rank on any level of entertaining arts in the world, pleasantly amazing the international audiences all over the place.
When things like this happen in this country, a stray thought comes to mind, which would surprise some of us, but might also trigger some useful contemplation on our wellbeing. Just imagine if all those talents in Sakartvelo were duly commercialized all over the planet, how many times the state budget could grow provided they were marketed properly and in good time. Niko’s Band is just one lucky case of the kind. Potentially, there are many, many more, either openly or latently, and all of them have a sizable chance to turn their talent and creativity into wealth. Not easy of course, but no pain means no gain.
Blog by Nugzar B. Ruhadze
