Greek composer Stelios Maggioros has publicly condemned music industry figures for hypocrisy following the death of 57-year-old singer Dimitris Kokotas.
Writing on his personal social media account, Maggioros criticized the flood of supportive messages posted by artists, creators, and record companies after Kokotas passed away.
Maggioros questioned the sincerity of those paying tribute, asking how much hypocrisy existed when industry figures suddenly remembered how great an artist and good a person Kokotas was only after his death. He pointed out that Kokotas died at just 57 years old.
He asked where industry insiders had been over the past 20 years, accusing a corrupt system of throwing Kokotas aside while the singer attempted to secure a hit record and waited for offers from producers or venue owners.
Major collaborations and music career
Highlighting Kokotas's recording history, Maggioros stated that Kokotas was the only artist in Greece alongside singer Efi Sarri to record sequential albums with all the major songwriters of that era. He specifically cited Phoebus, Nikos Karvelas, Giorgos Theofanous, Karalis, and Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
He added that the prominent composer Phoebus effectively launched his songwriting career through his work with Kokotas, excluding an earlier album recorded with Vicky Haritou.
The songwriters named by Maggioros were central figures in the Greek music industry during the 1990s and 2000s, producing defining hits in the commercial pop and laiko genres. Kokotas himself rose to prominence during that era with several successful album releases.
Call for genuine mourning
Addressing those who posted public tributes, Maggioros asked if they were truly grieving now. He urged them to leave the mourning to those who genuinely loved Kokotas while they continued their own careers.
Maggioros asserted that for many industry figures, Kokotas was merely a social media post used to make themselves look good. Concluding his statement, he wished Kokotas a peaceful journey and expressed gratitude for having known him.
