Alex Velea is one of Romania's most recognizable pop stars. Born Alexandru Ionuț Velea in 1984 in Craiova, he trained in classical singing as a teenager and shot to fame after winning the talent show Star Factory in 2003.
His 2006 debut album Yamasha and the hit single "Yo" made him a household name, and he has since released dozens of chart hits, often teaming up with fellow Romanian stars like Smiley, Connect-R, and Puya. Known for blending pop, R&B, and reggaeton with a playful, flirtatious style, Velea has twice won Best Pop Artist at the Romanian Music Awards and earned a nomination for Best Romanian Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.