COOL PEOPLE : NIKOLAS RAPTAKIS
NIKOLAS RAPTAKIS
SINGER
Photographer Michalis Goumas
What is your story and achievements in life?
I grew up in a small neighbourhood near to the center in Athens. I started singing and writing music in bands as a teenager. Later on, i studied pop music and singing and have collaborated with many famous Greek artists. My first official music release was with the band “Freaky Fortune”. We wrote and released many songs that hit the charts in Greece and we participated in Eurovision Song Contest in 2014. Later on, i went solo and released my own music and now i have an Acapella project and we are making YouTube videos on my channel.
What was your favorite toy that you still remember from your childhood? Why?
As a kid that was born and raised in the 90’s and my all time favourite toy was “game boy”. I still have all my “game boy” consoles and cassettes.
What is your dressing style about?
I have a street style with a vintage touch. I love skinny jeans and colourful shirts. In my job I also love to wear more formal but also colourful suits.
What is the coolest piece in your wardrobe?
I don’t think if it’s the coolest but definitely my favourite one is a pair of shoes from a special Comme des Garçons x Dr Martens collaboration.
If there is any style icon you follow, who is it and why?
I don’t have just one style icon that inspires me. I think that I get inspired by people I see on the streets or clubs in countries I visit.
What is your favourite decorative object in your house?
I prefer a more minimal kind of style in my house especially because my life is so busy so I don’t like my house to be busy too. I love candles though. In every city or country I visit I always buy candles and my house is full of them.
Which neighbourhood in Athens is your favourite one? Why?
It is actually the one I live in, that is Pangrati and Mets. It is an area where you can find everything from a peaceful place to enjoy your coffee to a cool crowded bar to hang out with friends. It’s near to the ancient Kalimarmaro stadium and Acropolis and has a great vibe as a neighbourhood.
What is your favorite place in Athens? Why?
My favourite place in Athens is Cap Cap . It’s a themed coffee place that has great food and drinks but the best thing is that every season they change their menu and decoration inspired by favourite movies like “Harry Potter” or Disney films. It’s a really magical place.
Can you name three must things to do in Athens?
Food, drinks and flirting. These are the three must things to do in Athens. I guess that is what you do in every city but that’s what I do so that’s what I suggest. I guess if you’re a tourist you’ll have to do the sights too. We have great things to visit like Acropolis and Kalimarmaro stadium.
What was the coolest country, city or place to have the best fun ever? What did you do?
One of the reasons that I’m very thankful with my job is that I have an opportunity to visit many countries! I am a travel addict and it’s perfect for me that I get to combine traveling with my job. My all time favourite cities are New York and Berlin. They are both very multicultural cities and you can actually find anything you want in any time. I guess my number one is Berlin though cause I got to visit it many times and I had the best time of my life there. It has unique places, great people and unstoppable parties!
