PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Greek song "Nero Ke Homa" (Νερό Και Χώμα), which was sung by Melina Aslanidou and Michalis Kouinelis. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

For more information about the laiko and rebetiko styles of music, see Introduction to Laiko / Rebetiko Music elsewhere on this web site.

Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.

About this Song

Although this song is technically categorized as hip-hop, it was recorded and performed in laiko (Greek folk music) style. It is also considered to be Pontian (Anatolian Greek) rap.

When this song is performed live, without the presence of a hip-hop artist, it gives a totally different flavor. Some recordings carry an Oriental flair, particularly with accompaniment of the Anatolian Greek Pontian kemence instrument. The kemence is still used, typically found in Pontus, the Black Sea region of present-day Turkey. This instrument is known as karadeniz in the Turkish language.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Panayiota poses with a musician friend holding a kemence.

The specific version of this song performed with the Pontian lyre (Ποντιακή Λύρα), known as kemence (κεμεντζέ) can be found on the album called Akoma Onirevoume (Άκομα Ονειρεύομαι).

The version used for this translation is a collaboration between Melina Aslanidou and Michalis Kouinelis' band Stavento. Both Melina Aslanidou and Michalis Kouinelis are of Anatolian Greek Pontian heritage. This song has been a huge hit!

Belly dancers working in nightclubs that attract younger Greek audiences in their 20s-40s might find this song appealing to use as a dramatic entrance piece, perhaps with wings. Maybe not everyone would agree, but I personally would use it for that.

About Michalis Kouinelis

Michalis Kouinelis, who created the music and lyrics for this song, is a Greek hip-hop singer, the founder and lyricist for the hip-hop group Stavento. Kouinelis was born in Alexandroupoli, Greece in 1979, and launched his music career with release of his first album in 1997, in connection with the group Babylon.

In 2014, he became a judge for the Greek televised reality music competition The Voice of Greece.

About Melina Aslanidou

Melina Aslanidou was born to Greek parents as Symela Aslanidou in 1974 in Stuttgart, Germany. Her family later moved to Greece. She started with music at an early age, singing with the Paralimni Choir, which exposed her to the music of Pontus, Thrace, and Byzantium.

Aslanidou began her musical career in 2000 with th.e band Oi Apenanti and released an album with them. After leaving the band, she released her first solo album in 2003, with the second following in 2005. Additional releases followed, along with concert tours. In 2014 and 2015, she served as a coach for the musical competition television show The Voice of Greece, which further boosted her popularity.

In January 2017, Aslanidou and Michalis Kouinelis released their collaboration on the song "Nero Ke Homa", and it became one of the biggest hits of the year.

Song: Nero Ke Homa (Water and Soil), 2016

Lyrics: Michalis Kouinelis (ΜΕΘ)

Music: Michalis Kouinelis (ΜΕΘ)

Original Artist: Melina Aslanidou and Michalis Kouinelis (ΜΕΘ)

Instrumental solos on the Pontian Kemence: Pavlos Triantis

Dance Style: Belly Dance and Hip-Hop Fusion

Album: Me Fonazoune Me To Mikro Mou

Τραγουδι: Νερό Και Χώμα, 2016

Στίχοι: Μιχάλης Κουινέλης (ΜΕΘ)

Μουσική: Μιχάλης Κουινέλης (ΜΕΘ)

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Μελίνα Ασλανίδου & Μιχάλης Κουινέλης (ΜΕΘ)

Ποντιακή Λύρα: Παύλος Τριαντης

Άλμπουμ: Με Φωνάζουνε Με Το Μικρό Μου

• Musical Traditions of Pontus, the Black Sea Region of Present-Day Turkey. Contains additional information about the kemence and its place in traditional Greek music.