Dan Balan: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Moldovan musician, singer,(born songwriter, and record producer1979)}}

| name = Dan BalanBălan

| image = Dan Balan 2012 Concert.jpg

| caption = BalanBălan in 2012

| occupation = {{flatlist|

| birth_name = Dan Bălan

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|02|06|df=y}}

| birth_place = [[Chișinău]], [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian SSR]], [[Soviet Union]]

| origin = Chișinău, [[Moldova]]

| genre = {{hlist|[[PopRock rockmusic|Rock]], |[[dance music|dance]], |[[pop music|pop]]}}

| instrument = {{flatlist|

| years_active = 1996–present

| label = [[Sony Music]], [[Universal Music]], [[EMI]], Gala Records/[[Warner Music Group|Warner]], Media Pro Music, First Music Publishing

| associated_acts = Inferialis, [[O-Zone]], Crazy Loop, Katie DiCicco, [[Jack Joseph Puig]], [[Rihanna]], [[Lady Gaga]], [[Bob Clearmountain]], [[Chris Lord-Alge]], [[Tony Maserati]], Andrea Bertolini, Corey Gibson, [[Jesse Dylan]], Brasco, [[Chris Elliott]], Isobel Griffiths, [[Vera Brezhneva]], [[Ekaterina Vilkova]], [[Tina Karol]], [[T. I.]]

| website = [http://danbalan.com/ danbalan.com]

'''Dan Mihai Bălan'''{{Efn|Also iterated '''Dan Mihailovici Balan''' after the former Soviet and modern Russian form of the name|name=|group=}} (born 6 February 1979) is a [[Moldova]]n artistmusician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is the founder of Moldovan eurodance band [[O-Zone]], and wrote their international hit single "[[Dragostea Din Tei]]", which topped the charts in 32 countries and sold 12 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dan Balan|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2269038/bio|access-date=2022-01-08|website=IMDb}}</ref>

Dan Mihai BalanBălan was born on 6 February 1979 in [[Chișinău]], to [[Mihai Balan]], a diplomat,<ref name=sis>{{cite web|url=http://sis.md/en/conducerea/ambassador-mihai-balan|title=Ambassador – Mihai BALAN|publisher=Intelligence and Security Service of Republic of Moldova|access-date=29 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711005131/http://sis.md/en/conducerea/ambassador-mihai-balan|archive-date=11 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Ludmila Balan, a TV presenter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vipmagazin.md/top-femei/99_Femei_ale_Moldovei/Ludmila_B%C4%83lan._Tanti_Ludmila_/|title=Ludmila Bălan. Tanti Ludmila|work=vipmagazin.md|access-date=29 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710022617/http://www.vipmagazin.md/top-femei/99_Femei_ale_Moldovei/Ludmila_B%C4%83lan._Tanti_Ludmila_/|archive-date=10 July 2015}}</ref> He has a sister, TV presenter Sanda Bălan (born 1984).<ref name=sis/><ref name=publika-25-10-2012>{{cite web|url= http://www.publika.md/ultima-ora-mihai-balan-a-fost-numit-director-al-serviciului-de-informatii-si-securitate_1093891.html|title= ULTIMA ORĂ! Mihai Balan a fost numit director al Serviciului de Informații și Securitate|publisher= publika.md|access-date= 29 July 2015|archive-date= 27 February 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200227214020/https://www.publika.md/ultima-ora-mihai-balan-a-fost-numit-director-al-serviciului-de-informatii-si-securitate_1093891.html|url-status= dead}}</ref> His grandfather on maternal linegrandfather, Boris Vasiliev, in childhood was deported to [[Siberia]] as a child.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timpul.md/articol/bunelul-lui-dan-balan-boris-vasiliev-stalin-mi-a-furat-copilaria-24754.html |title=Bunicul lui Dan Bălan, Boris Vasiliev: "Stalin mi-a furat copilăria"|publisher=Timpul|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jc.md/tanti-ludmila-tatal-meu-si-a-realizat-visul/|title=Tanti Ludmila: "Tatăl meu șşi-a realizat visul!|publisher=JC|access-date=29 July 2015|archive-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710130019/http://www.jc.md/tanti-ludmila-tatal-meu-si-a-realizat-visul/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestseller.md/stalin-mi-a-furat-copilaria-boris-vasiliev.html|title= Stalin Mi-a Furat Copilăria|publisher=BestSeller|access-date=29 July 2015|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227215525/https://www.bestseller.md/stalin-mi-a-furat-copilaria-boris-vasiliev.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was given his first instrument, a second-hand accordion, as a present at age 11 and began pursuing music at a young age. BalanBălan attended music school, but his parents urged him to attend university to study law. After following their wishes for a short time, he eventually left law school to play with his first band Inferialis, a gothic doom metal band.<ref name=papparazi/>

After BalanBălan formed the band, Inferialis held its first concert in 1995 in a concert hall in one of [[Chișinău]]'s factories. His entire family was present at the concert, and his parents having been impressed by the performance bought him an expensive synthesizer.<ref name=papparazi/> He spent the next two years performing with the band, taking several small gigs, and then decided to move to commercial-sounding music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teleport2001.ru/teleport2001-ru/2014-02-06/40583-populyarnyy-moldavskiy-pevec-dan-balan-otmechaet-35-letniy-yubiley.html|title= Популярный молдавский певец Дан Балан отмечает 35-летний юбилей|date= 6 February 2014|publisher=Teleport 2001|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> In an interview, he explained that he had never considered himself a heavy metal musician and instead identified as a producer with an interest in working with varying musical styles. He started experimenting and exploring a new, commercial pop sound, and recorded and released his first solo song, "De la Mine", in 1998.<ref name=papparazi>{{cite web|url=http://www.paparazzi.ru/blogs/Verochica/138799/|title=ДАН БАЛАН: ВЕРА БРЕЖНЕВА НЕВЕРОЯТНАЯ!|publisher=Paparrazi|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref>

In 1998, BalanBălan formed O-Zone, a new musical project, with Petru Jelihovschi, former vocalist in Inferialis. The duo released their first album entitled ''[[Dar, unde eşti|Dar unde esti?]]'' later that year and it became a commercial hit with seven of the album's ten songs reaching number one on the charts of the main radio stations in Moldova.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artline.ro/O_zone__a_successful_band-16682-2-n.html|title=O-Zone: A Successful Band |publisher=Artline|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> At the same time, he became a producer of a new children's TV show called ''Tanti Ludmila Show'', which was hosted by his mother. When the show needed a title song, the singer offered up a track he'd written when he was younger.<ref name=papparazi/>

Shortly afterwards, Jelihovschi left the band to take up his own career in television. In order to continue the band, BalanBălan announced auditions to select new band members. He auditioned several individuals but was unable to find somebody who fit his concept for the music. Finally, [[Arsenie Todiraș]], who he met through his vocal coach, was selected. After the auditions were closed, [[Radu Sirbu]] heard about the selection and requested BalanBălan to audition him. Subsequently, Sirbu became the third member of the band.<ref name=LOS>{{cite web|url=http://los40.com/los40/2014/09/11/actualidad/1410433449_510773.html|title= ¿Qué fue de O-Zone?|date= 15 September 2014|publisher=Los 40|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>

Throughout 2001, BalanBălan wrote and recorded O-Zone's second album, ''[[Number 1 (O-Zone album)|Number 1]]''.<ref>{{cite webnews|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1052664.html|title=Romania/Moldova: O-Zone Breathes Fresh Air Into European Pop Music Scene|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=8 April 2008 |last1=Tomiuc |first1=Eugen }}</ref> Four Romanian record labels offered the band a deal. O-Zone elected Cat Music and their album was released in 2002 by the label. Much to BalanBălan's disappointment, the album did not become an instant commercial success. However, O-Zone won Best Music Video Award at the [[MTV Romania Music Awards]] in 2002 for their single "Numai tu". The album's second single, "Despre Tine", was more experimental, driven by the singer's goal of working in styles of music, which were completely different from those dictating the Romanian music industry at that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enational.ro/showbizmonden/monden/fost-component-al-trupei-o-zone-din-nou-tatic-273881.html/ |title=Fost component al trupei O-Zone, din nou tatic!|date=3 April 2013 |publisher=Enational|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> The song became a commercial success and reached number one on [[Romanian Radio Airplay Chart|Romania Airplay Top 100]], where it stayed for seventeen consecutive weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/418743/o-zone/chart|title=The O Zone|work=billboard.com}}</ref> The next year, O-Zone won two more MTV Romania Music Awards, for Best Song and Best Dance. The band was also nominated for Best Romanian Act at the [[MTV Europe Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.softpedia.com/topic/24647-mtv-romanian-music-awards-2004/ |title=MTV Romanian Music Awards 2004|publisher=Softpedia|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>

The song "Dragostea Din Tei", also known as the "Numa Numa Song", which was released in 2003, brought the group to global prominence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/17d5/O-Zone-Dragostea-din-tei|title=O-Zone – Dragostea Din Tei|publisher=UltraTop|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> The single, written and produced by BalanBălan, reached the number one position on the charts of more than thirty countries and was the third bestselling single in the U.K that year. It sold more than 8 million copies worldwide,<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://reason.com/archives/2005/10/01/the-second-romanian-revolution/3|title=The Second Romanian Revolution Will Be Televised|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101062641/https://reason.com/archives/2005/10/01/the-second-romanian-revolution/3/|archive-date=1 November 2011|last=Welch|first=Matt|journal=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|publisher=[[Reason Foundation]]|page=4|date=October 2005|access-date=13 December 2013}}</ref> receiving a gold and multi-platinum certification in most of the countries of Europe, Asia and Latin America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ziare.com/muzica/hituri/dragostea-din-tei-cantat-de-o-zone-este-hitul-anilor-1990-2000-1102456|title= Dragostea din tei, cantat de O-zone, este hitul anilor 1990–2000 |publisher=Ziare|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-93565.html|title= Top 100 des singles les plus vendus du millénaire en France : le top 10 final !|publisher=Charts in France|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> It became the bestselling track in Europe and Japan in 2004 and 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afrik.com/article23126.html |title="Même pas fatigué !!!" : Magic System et Khaled touchent le jackpot|date=22 June 2011 |publisher=Afrik|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> Over the years, more than two hundred artists have sung the song in fourteen different languages. "Dragostea Din Tei" is one of the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling singles in the history of world music]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/actualite/news-93565.html |title=Top 100 des singles les plus vendus du millénaire en France : le top 10 final ! |publisher=Charts in France|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>

In 2004, O-Zone won Best Dance Award again at MTV Romania Music Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://muzica.phg.ro/stiri.php?id=510|title=MTV Romanian Music Awards|publisher=PHG|access-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802085754/http://muzica.phg.ro/stiri.php?id=510|archive-date=2 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and, for the second year in a row, they were nominated for Best Romanian Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/EMA-2004/about.jhtml|title=Winner's List|access-date=14 July 2015|publisher=MTV}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Later that year, the band unveiled their third album, ''DiscO-Zone,'' which became their best-selling release, certified gold and platinum in various countries. By the end of the year, it was the best-selling album in Japan, Europe and Latin America. In France, it was number fifteen but stayed for 36 weeks in the top 200. In Japan it reached the number one position in its 24th week on the chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/artistit/O-Zone|title=O-Zone|publisher=Ifpi|access-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033324/http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/artistit/O-Zone|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/kultalevyt/myontamisrajat|title=Kultalevyjen myöntämisrajat|publisher=Ifpi|access-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706130226/http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/kultalevyt/myontamisrajat|archive-date=6 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''DiscO-Zone'' featured their hit singles "Dragostea Din Tei" and "[[Despre Tine]] (About You)". The album was a commercial success in many European countries, particularly in Portugal where it was hit number one for eight consecutive weeks and was ranked for 26 weeks in the top 30. It also reached the top ten in [[Wallonia]] (Belgium),<ref name="wallonia-chart">{{cite web |title=''DiscO-Zone'', Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart |url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=O-Zone&titel=DiscO-Zone&cat=a |publisher=Ultratop |language=fr |access-date=1 January 2010}}</ref> Poland,<ref name="Acharts">{{cite web |title=''DiscO-Zone'', German and Polish Albums Charts |url=http://acharts.us/album/17866 |publisher=Acharts |access-date=1 December 2009}}</ref> Norway,<ref name="norway-chart">{{cite web |title=''DiscO-Zone'', Norwegian Albums Chart |url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=O-Zone&titel=DiscO-Zone&cat=a |publisher=Norwegiancharts |language=no |access-date=1 January 2010}}</ref> Switzerland,<ref name="swiss-chart">{{cite web |title=''DiscO-Zone'', Swiss Albums Chart |url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=O-Zone&titel=DiscO-Zone&cat=a |publisher=Hitparade |language=de |access-date=1 January 2010}}</ref> and Finland.<ref name="finnish-chart">{{cite web |title=''DiscO-Zone'', Finnish Albums Chart |url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=O-Zone&titel=DiscO-Zone&cat=a |publisher=Finnishcharts |language=fi |access-date=1 January 2010}}</ref>

By late 2004, O-Zone released another single "De Ce Plang Chitarele", which was a cover of a song by the Moldovan band [[Noroc]]. Commenting on their songs and style, [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] wrote that they have "breathed fresh air into European Pop Music Scene."<ref>{{cite webnews|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1052664.html |title=Romania/Moldova: O-Zone Breathes Fresh Air Into European Pop Music Scene|publishernewspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=8 April 2008 |access-date=14 July 2015 |last1=Tomiuc |first1=Eugen }}</ref> O-Zone announced their breakup in 2005, right at the peak of their fame and popularity. Their last European concert was held at the 2005 [[Golden Stag Festival|Golden Stag music festival]] in Romania.<ref name="lastc">{{cite web |title=O-Zone's Last Concert During "The Golden Deer" Festival Was A Huge Success |url=http://www.spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=420 |publisher=Spotlightning News |access-date=3 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108023806/http://spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=420 |archive-date=8 January 2011 }}</ref>

After O-Zone's break-up, BalanBălan started the eponymous rock group “Balan” and began working on new music. He moved to Los Angeles in early 2006 to record at [[Ocean Way]]. There he recorded and co-produced his first solo rock album with [[Jack Joseph Puig]]. Despite having recorded the album, the singer did not release it.<ref name="papparazi" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cosmo.ru/stars/news/29-06-2012/dan-balan-o-svoih-predpochteniyah/ |title= Дан Балан о своих предпочтениях|publisher=Cosmo|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> However, some songs, such as “Cry Cry” and “The 24th Letter” were later released as part of his 2012 album “Freedom, Part 1”.

He returned from the U.S. in early 2007 and began working on a new experimental musical project. BalanBălan performed the songs, which were a deviation from his prior material, in a [[Falsetto|falsetto voice]]. These shifts led him to decide to release the music under the stage name Crazy Loop, an alter ego that contrasted with his real personality. The musician described Crazy Loop as "funnier, crazier and more ironic" than himself and said, "I'm not like that really but part of Crazy Loop lives inside me."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.welt.de/lifestyle/article2203617/O-Zone-Saenger-macht-Galliano-zur-Witzfigur.html|title= O-Zone-Sänger macht Galliano zur Witzfigur|date= 16 November 2011|publisher=Welt|access-date= 14 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://jurnalul.ro/fun/dan-balan-un-rocker-sub-acoperire-528571.html |title=Dan Bălan: Un rocker sub acoperire |newspaper=Jurnalul |access-date=14 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714164807/http://jurnalul.ro/fun/dan-balan-un-rocker-sub-acoperire-528571.html |archive-date=14 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> BalanBălan officially launched Crazy Loop in October 2007 with new single "[[Mm-ma-ma|Crazy Loop (Mm Ma Ma)]]", which landed on the charts in Germany,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Crazy+Loop/Crazy+Loop+(mm-ma-ma)/single |title=German Charts |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801131739/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Crazy+Loop/Crazy+Loop+(mm-ma-ma)/single |archive-date=1 August 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Austria,<ref>[http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Crazy+Loop&titel=Mm-ma-ma+(They+Call+Me+Crazy+Loop)&cat=s Austrian Charts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806101342/http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Crazy%20Loop&titel=Mm-ma-ma%20%28They%20Call%20Me%20Crazy%20Loop%29&cat=s |date=6 August 2015 }}</ref> Poland and Romania, as well as on European chart Euro Hot 200.<ref>[http://www.rt100.ro/top-100-edition.html?edition=611&go=Go Charts in Romania] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316220735/http://www.rt100.ro/top-100-edition.html?edition=611&go=Go |date=16 March 2009 }}</ref>

Crazy Loop's debut album, ''[[The Power of Shower]]'', was released in December, and included some of the songs BalanBălan had created for his unreleased album in Los Angeles, the previous year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cd.ro/l_pop.php?dom=tag&val=1110401|title=cd.ro – magazin virtual de muzica romaneasca – Pop|work=cd.ro|access-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201234/http://www.cd.ro/l_pop.php?dom=tag&val=1110401|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album's second single, "Johanna, Shut Up!" was released in the summer of 2008 along with a music video directed and shot in Los Angeles by [[Marc Klasfeld]]. The single was the final official track released under the name Crazy Loop. The artist released a third single from ''The Power of Shower'' in October 2008 under his own name, Dan BalanBălan. The track, a rock ballad called "Despre Tine Cant (Part 2)," dropped in Romania and Moldova and was accompanied by a music video directed by Greg Olive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/celebritati/dan-balan-nu-droghez-1_50accb0e7c42d5a66389f8ad/index.html |title=Dan Bălan: "Nu mă droghez!"|date=24 February 2010 |publisher=Adevarul|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> Crazy Loop was nominated for Best Romanian Act at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards but lost to Morandi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1598808/americans-katy-perry-britney-spears-kanye-west-30-seconds-to-mars-dominate-2008-mtv-emas/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502061318/http://www.mtv.com/news/1598808/americans-katy-perry-britney-spears-kanye-west-30-seconds-to-mars-dominate-2008-mtv-emas/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2014 |title=Americans Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kanye West, 30 Seconds To Mars Dominate 2008 MTV EMAs|publisher=MTV|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>

In 2008, BalanBălan was contacted by producers to become co-writer of Rihanna and T.I.'s "[[Live Your Life (T.I. song)|Live Your Life]]", since the song sampled and was extensively based on the melody of “Dragostea Din Tei”. The song stayed at number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart for six weeks following its release, jumping from number eighty to number one in just one week. "Live Your Life" was certified 4× Platinum, with 4,532,000 copies sold in the U.S.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Ask Billboard: Rihanna's Best-Selling Songs & Albums|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6605708/ask-billboard-rihannas-best-selling-songs-albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> In 2009, his co-writing of the song lead to BalanBălan being nominated for a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]], the first and only Moldovan ever to do so.

BalanBălan's solo single "[[Chica Bomb]]" which featured vocals from American singer Katie DiCicco and production from Italian DJ Andrea Bertolini, was officially released in 2010. The song became a hit in Europe and made it into the top ten charts in several European countries, including Germany,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://danishcharts.dk/showitem.asp?interpret=Dan+Balan&titel=Chica+Bomb&cat=s |title=DAN BALAN – CHICA BOMB (SONG)|publisher=Danish Charts|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> Denmark, Austria,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Dan+Balan&titel=Chica+Bomb&cat=s|title= DAN BALAN – CHICA BOMB|publisher=Austrian Charts|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> Romania, Russia, Greece, and the U.K., where it reached No. 7 on the U.K. Dance Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20100704/104/ |title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=Official Charts|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> The track received positive reviews from music critics. Nick Levine, from Britain's ''[[Digital Spy]]'' described "Chica Bomb" as "a sleek and reasonably sexy electro-house track with a nice bit of synthy bounce to it." It became one of the five most played songs on Radio in Bulgaria<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapool.bg/tri-rumanski-parcheta-sa-nai-varteni-v-rodniya-efir-prez-2010-g-news174084.html|title= Три румънски парчета са най-въртени в родния ефир през 2010|date= 22 December 2010|publisher=MediaPool|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> and Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beatfactor.ro/STIRI/Top_cele_mai_difuzate_piese_in_Romania_in_2010-aid-93269-l-1 |title=Top cele mai difuzate piese in Romania in 2010 |publisher=Beat Factor |access-date=15 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106042017/http://www.beatfactor.ro/STIRI/Top_cele_mai_difuzate_piese_in_Romania_in_2010-aid-93269-l-1 |archive-date=6 January 2011 }}</ref> The video for the song was directed by [[Hype Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a234883/dan-balan-chica-bomb.html|title=Dan Balan: 'Chica Bomb'|work=Digital Spy|date=28 June 2010 }}</ref>

BalanBălan re-recorded the single in Greece as a duet with Greek pop star [[Eleni Foureira]]. The duo launched the new Greek version at the [[MAD Video Music Awards]] in Athens in May 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2010/11/16/eleni-foureira-not-entering-the-2011-greek-selection/ |title=Eleni Foureira not entering the 2011 Greek selection|publisher=Greek Reporter|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> The song continued its global dominance and BalanBălan was invited as a special guest to the Russian music industry's annual awards ceremony, the [[Muz-TV|Muz-TV Awards]], on 11 June 2010, where he performed the single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.day.az/showbiz/275856.html?crnd=83225 |title=Откровенное признание Дана Балана перед концертом в Баку|date=29 June 2011 |publisher=News|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>

Following the success of two consecutive singles reaching number one on the charts, BalanBălan decided to shift his focus to the Eastern European market. In the summer of 2010 he recorded lyrical song "Lepestkami Slez", translated as “Petals of Tears”, as a duet with [[Vera Brezhneva]], who he had met in New York. The song, BalanBălan's first in Russian, was released on 29 October and became his third consecutive number one single in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.libertatea.ro/detalii/articol/dragostea-din-tei-umplut-bani-liderul-trupei-zone-dan-balan-495240.html|title= "Dragostea din tei" l-a umplut de bani pe liderul trupei O-Zone, Dan Bălan|date= 7 June 2014|publisher=Liber Tatea|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> Its music video was shot by Ukrainian video director Sergei Solodky and earned over 24 million views on YouTube, becoming the most watched Russian-language music video in the history of Russian music.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} The song was nominated for Best Duo at the awards for Russian music channel RU.TV in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mk.ru/culture/article/2012/01/27/665263-aleksandr-ryibak-premiya-zvukovoy-dorozhki-dlya-menya-ekzoticheskiy-muzyikalnyiy-attraktsion.html|title=Александр Рыбак: "Премия "Звуковой дорожки" для меня – экзотический музыкальный аттракцион"|publisher=MK|access-date=14 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018021850/http://www.mk.ru/culture/article/2012/01/27/665263-aleksandr-ryibak-premiya-zvukovoy-dorozhki-dlya-menya-ekzoticheskiy-muzyikalnyiy-attraktsion.html|archive-date=18 October 2012}}</ref> He won a [[Golden Gramophone Award]], Russia's most prestigious music prize, for his single "Lepestkami Slez" at the 16th Golden Gramophone awards ceremony in the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moviegozzip.com/sithara/videos/dan-balan-zolotoy-gramophone-music-awards-2013-watch-TERyWktoV1lVYm8.html|title=Dan Balan – "Zolotoy Gramophone" Music Awards 2013|publisher=Movie Gozzip|access-date=14 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150918224258/http://www.moviegozzip.com/sithara/videos/dan-balan-zolotoy-gramophone-music-awards-2013-watch-TERyWktoV1lVYm8.html|archive-date=18 September 2015}}</ref> The artist was nominated for the Best Romanian Act for the fourth time at the [[2010 MTV Europe Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2010/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100331225625/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2010/|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 March 2010|title= 2010 MTV Movie Awards|publisher=MTV|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>

BalanBălan released a new English single, "Freedom", which featured American singer Corey Gibson and DJ Andrea Bertolini, in the spring of 2011. The song reached the Top 30 in Russia and the Ukraine, and eventually bowed at number two on the charts. In Romania, the single went to number four on the Romanian Top 100 in 2011. The song remained on the charts for a total of 49 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kp.md/daily/25710/910273/ |title=Дан Балан чуть не погиб на съемках нового клипа|publisher=KP|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> BalanBălan started recording the video for "Freedom", which was directed by Pavel Hudeakov in May 2011 in southern France. While recording for the song, the singer climbed up and stood on a steep cliff without protective equipment. In an interview after the official video was released, he said that the video was one of the most dangerous shootings of his career.<ref name=Media>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapromusic.ro/stiri/8454873-videoclipul-dan-balan-freedom-blockbuster-romantic-in-stilul-james-bond|title=Videoclipul Dan Balan – Freedom – "blockbuster romantic" in stilul James Bond|publisher=MediaProMusic|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128165855/http://www.mediapromusic.ro/stiri/8454873-videoclipul-dan-balan-freedom-blockbuster-romantic-in-stilul-james-bond|archive-date=28 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paparazzi.ru/blogs/Verochica/153770/|title= ЭКСКЛЮЗИВНЫЕ КАДРЫ И ПОДРОБНОСТИ КЛИПА ДАНА БАЛАНА "FREEDOM"|publisher=Paparazzi|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref>

He released his second Russian single, "Lish do Utra," on 26 September 2011. The song was recorded in studios in several countries, including Romania, the U.K., Russia and the U.S. In an interview, BalanBălan explained that upon thinking the concept of the song, he had an immediate notion that the song would be best presented in the Russian language.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blic.rs/Zabava/Vesti/315725/Zeljko-Joksimovic-snimio-evrovizijsku-pesmu-i-na-ruskom |title=Željko Joksimović snimio evrovizijsku pesmu i na ruskom|newspaper=Blic|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> The single reached number one position on the Russian digital sales chart. He wrote the concept for the song's music video himself and enlisted French director Steven Ada to direct the video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/celebritati/una-fetele-clipul-chica-bomb-vrea-telenovele-1_50ada4787c42d5a66398932b/index.html |title=Una dintre fetele din clipul "Chica Bomb" vrea în telenovele|date=9 February 2010 |publisher=Adevarul|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> The singer selected Ada because he wanted a director with a very particular, photographic eye for composition and light, who could convey the natural beauty of the waking day and contrast it with the two lovers sharing their last morning together. The video was filmed in [[Corsica|Corsica Island]], with BalanBălan starring opposite Ioana Raicu. The video premiered on 25 October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rusradio.ru/news/showbiznes/5390671/ |title=ДАН БАЛАН РАССТАЛСЯ С ЛЮБИМОЙ|publisher=Russ Radion|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093145/http://www.rusradio.ru/news/showbiznes/5390671/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2012, BalanBălan released another Russian single, pop-rock song "Lyubi". The song reached number one on the Top Hit Weekly Audience Choice, number thirteen on the Russian chart and number two on the Ukrainian chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://obozrevatel.com/interview/02475-dan-balan-v-moej-zhizni-byilo-3-znakovyih-zhenschinyi.htm|title=Дан Балан: в моей жизни было три знаковые женщины|date=15 December 2012 |publisher=Obozrevatel|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> The music video for the song was directed by [[Alan Badoev]] and starred Russian theater and film actress [[Ekaterina Vilkova]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.segodnya.ua/culture/stars/aktrisa-ekaterina-vilkova-rodila-doch-510985.html |title=Актриса Екатерина Вилкова родила дочь|publisher=Segodnya|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref> Later that year, he was nominated for the best male singer award by the music channel Muz-TV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://donbass.ua/news/culture/music/2012/05/30/dan-balan-nakanune-leta-darit-fanam-zazhigatelnyi-trek-audio.html |title=Дан Балан накануне лета дарит фанам "зажигательный" трек (АУДИО)|publisher=Donbass|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> and was named as Russia's sexiest singer by online magazine Woman.ru at the RU.TV Russian music awards ceremony. He was also nominated for Best Singer and Best Song for "Lish do Utra". On 1 December 2012, the singer won a Golden Gramophone award for the second year in a row for "Lish do Utra".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rusradio.ru/news/radio/7357817/|title= XVIII ЦЕРЕМОНИЯ ВРУЧЕНИЯ НАРОДНОЙ МУЗЫКАЛЬНОЙ ПРЕМИИ "ЗОЛОТОЙ ГРАММОФОН": ТОЛЬКО ЛУЧШИЕ ПЕСНИ НА СЦЕНЕ КРЕМЛЯ |publisher=RusRadio|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=11 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811061422/http://www.rusradio.ru/news/radio/7357817/|url-status=dead}}</ref> BalanBălan was also awarded the Krasnaya Zvezda award in nomination Best Songs of the Year for his single, which was one of the top twenty most popular songs of 2012 in Russia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biokino.ru/5369-dan-balan-biografiya-muzykalnyy-portal-krasnaya-zvezda.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725014607/http://biokino.ru/5369-dan-balan-biografiya-muzykalnyy-portal-krasnaya-zvezda.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 July 2015 |title=Dan Balan : Биография Музыкальный портал Красная Звезда |publisher=14 July 2015 }}</ref>

In May 2013, BalanBălan released "Lendo Calendo", a bilingual single with lyrics in Spanish and English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rusradio.ru/news/showbiznes/7040444/|title= НА СЪЕМКАХ НОВОГО КЛИПА DAN BALAN ПРОИЗОШЛО ЧП|publisher=RusRadio|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093215/http://www.rusradio.ru/news/showbiznes/7040444/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The track featured Tany Vander and French rapper [[Brasco]]. He sang his part in Spanish, which he had studied in Barcelona. The words Lendo Calendo were coined by BalanBălan himself who thought of them as magic words like [[Abracadabra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/cultura/cultura-urbana/artistul-moldovean-dan-balan-a-lansat-un-nou-single--asculta-aici-piesa--lendo-calendo--302410|title=Artistul moldovean Dan Bălan a lansat un nou single. Asculta aici piesa "Lendo Calendo"|date=20 May 2013 |publisher=Romania Libera|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> The song topped the iTunes Chart and reached number one in Russia and also peaked the charts in Romania and other [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS countries]]. The music video of the song, directed by Alan Badoev, was released on 9 July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intermedia.ru/news/278478|title=Чарты, рейтинги, хит-парады |date=4 June 2015 |publisher=Inter Media|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/cultura/cultura-urbana/noul-hit-al-lui-dan-balan-a-cucerit-toate-topurile-din-rusia-307923 |title=Noul hit al lui Dan Bălan a cucerit toate topurile din Rusia|date=18 July 2013 |publisher=Romania Liberia|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> The song received positive reviews and the singer received several awards for "Lendo Calendo". On 25 May, he was nominated for the best singer award at the annual Russian music awards RU.TV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://show.obozrevatel.com/news/46378-13-avgusta-v-yalte-vyistupit-dan-balan.htm |title=13 августа в Ялте выступит Дан Балан|publisher=Obozrevatel|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714171233/http://show.obozrevatel.com/news/46378-13-avgusta-v-yalte-vyistupit-dan-balan.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later he won the award for The Best Singer at the Real Musicbox awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.libertatea.ro/detalii/articol/dan-balan-desemnat-cel-mai-bun-interpret-din-rusia-472450.html |title=Dan Bălan, desemnat cel mai bun interpret din... Rusia |date=22 November 2013 |publisher= Liber Tatea|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>

On 30 November 2013, BalanBălan received his third Golden Gramophone award for the song "Lyubi".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woman.ru/stars/backstage/article/97691/|title= "Золотой граммофон"-2013: подробности шоу и победители|publisher=Woman.ru|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714202828/http://www.woman.ru/stars/backstage/article/97691/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2014, BalanBălan began recording a new studio album, Freedom, Part 2 in London in the [[Abbey Road Studios]], [[AIR Studios]], [[RAK Studios]], Strongroom Studios and [[Sarm Studios]]. He wrote the music and lyrics and produced all of the tracks on the album. The recordings featured the Symphony Orchestra of the British Musicians' Union, the London Community Gospel Choir, London Voices led by Terry Edwards and Ben Parry, as well as Massive Attack drummer Julien Brown, guitarist [[Seton Daunt]], and percussionist Andy Duncan. Chris Elliott worked on the arrangement for the symphony orchestra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ua/news/dan-balan-vernulsya-k-zhivojj-muzyke-video-61299/|title=Dan Balan вернулся к живой музыке (ВИДЕО)|publisher=TV.UA|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725013604/http://tv.ua/news/dan-balan-vernulsya-k-zhivojj-muzyke-video-61299/|archive-date=25 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2015, BalanBălan returned from his creative break to release another experimental single, “Funny Love”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.protv.ro/stiri/dan-balan-pregateste-un-comeback-spectaculos.html |title=Dan Balan pregateste un comeback spectaculos!|publisher=Pro TV|access-date=17 September 2015}}</ref> The music video was directed by acclaimed Ukrainian director [[Alan Badoev]], who has recorded hundreds of music videos, and several of BalanBălan's songs. The music video took a whole 4 months to film, involving 20 different scenes. 13 models and 16 dancers had in total 120 costumes and 300&nbsp;kg of luggage. Badoev used “unusual graphics” and novel editing techniques in the video, and was impressed by BalanBălan's dedication to his music.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Сексуальный фэшн-каламбур: Алан Бадоев снял сочный клип для певца Dan Balan {{!}} HOCHU.UA|url=https://hochu.ua/cat-stars/novosti-shou-biznesa/article-61932-seksualnyiy-feshn-kalambur-alan-badoev-snyal-sochnyiy-klip-dlya-pevtsa-dan-balan/|access-date=2022-01-07|website=hochu.ua|language=ru}}</ref> The singer admitted he wanted to take his songs to a new level after Lendo Calendo, and worked more than any other on the sound design for Funny Love.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Любимец девушек Дан Балан возвращается на сцену|url=https://kp.ua/culture/512703-luibymets-devushek-dan-balan-vozvraschaetsia-na-stsenu|access-date=2022-01-07|website=КП в Украине {{!}} КП в Україні {{!}} KP in Ukraine|language=ru}}</ref>

BalanBălan also released a version of his song “Cry Cry”, originally written for his unreleased rock album in 2006, with different, experimental and complex sound, and new Russian lyrics, differing somewhat from the English, to appeal to an Eastern European audience.

In 2017, BalanBălan decided to return from his three-year creative break, in which he had been working on experimental music styles, to return with a more commercial sounding single which would not be featured on Freedom, Part 2. BalanBălan felt that before releasing the new album he should return to the stage with a dance hit such as “Hold on Love”.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Дан Балан: "Вредных привычек у меня практически не осталось!"|url=https://gorcom36.ru/content/dan-balan-vrednykh-privychek-u-menya-prakticheski-ne-ostalos-/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=gorcom36.ru}}</ref> To that end, he was invited performed the song at the popular [[M1 (Ukraine)]] Music Awards in 2017.<ref>{{Citation|title=Dan Balan Hold On Love M1 Music Awards 2017 +HD| date=25 March 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GylcxWxKsNo|language=en|access-date=2022-01-09}}</ref> The music video, BalanBălan's fifth collaboration with Ukrainian director Alan Badoev was described by Badoev as a dark and mysterious [[David Fincher]]-style clip. Badoev decided on a theme of “do not be afraid of what is inside of you”, casting BalanBălan as a [[Pastor]] tempted by his desires, and filmed in a district of [[Los Angeles]]. The director's team had to close off one quarter of the city to complete filming.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Алан Бадоев о новом клипе Дана Балана: &quot;Это секс, витающий в воздухе&quot;|url=https://viva.ua/lifestar/news/43497-alan-badoev-o-novom-klipe-dana-balana-eto-seks-vitayuschiy-v-vozduhe.html|access-date=2022-01-09|website=viva.ua|language=ru}}</ref>

Dan BalanBălan decided to re unite O-Zone in 2017 to have 2 concerts on 9 May 2017 in Chisinau and Bucharest.

In March 2018, Dan BalanBălan released a new single called "Allegro Ventigo", featuring Matteo. Successful in the likes of Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Bulgaria, there was much talk around the language the lyrics are written in. BalanBălan joked in an interview that this is "Old Moldavian", but the settled view is that the lyrics are written in a fictional language that combines elements of Spanish, Italian, Greek and Romanian.

On 12 September 2018, Dan BalanBălan released a new single called "Numa Numa 2" in association with Marley Waters. After a few days, the song reached #1 in the Japan Charts and was a great success. He then had a small show/concert in Japan singing Numa Numa 2.

In 2019, Dan BalanBălan created an audio and video production company [[Monarda Studios]], that deals with managing and developing music artists and internet celebrities. The company's offices are located in [[Kyiv]], [[Ukraine]], and [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]].

| 2008 || "Despre Tine Cânt (Part 2)" || Dan BalanBălan || Greg Olive || [[The Power of Shower]]

| 20092010 || "ChicaJustify BombSex" || Dan BalanBălan || HypeJesse WilliamsDylan || CrazyFreedom Loop(Part Mix1)

| 2010 || "JustifyЛепестками Sexслёз" || Dan BalanBălan feat [[Vera Brezhneva]]|| JesseSerghei DylanSolodki || Freedom (Part 1)

| 20102011 || "Лепестками слёзFreedom" || Dan Balan feat [[VeraBălan Brezhneva]]|| SergheiPavel SolodkiHudiakov || Freedom (Part 1)

| 2011 || "FreedomЛишь до утра" || Dan BalanBălan || PavelSteven HudiakovADA || Freedom (Part 1)

| 20112012 || "Лишь до утраЛюби" || Dan BalanBălan || Steven[[Alan ADABadoev]] || Freedom (Part 1)

| 20122013 || "ЛюбиLendo Calendo" || Dan BalanBălan feat Tany Vander & Brasco || [[Alan Badoev]] || Freedom (Part 1)Single

| 20132015 || "LendoFunny CalendoLove" || Dan Balan feat Tany Vander & BrascoBălan || [[Alan Badoev]] || Single

|2015 || "Funny LoveПлачь" || Dan BalanBălan || [[Alan Badoev]] || Single

|20152017 || "ПлачьHold on Love" || Dan BalanBălan || [[Alan Badoev]] || Single

|2017 || "HoldНаше on LoveЛето" || Dan BalanBălan & Vera Brezhneva || [[AlanSergey Badoev]]Solodkiy || Single

|20172018 || "НашеAllegro ЛетоVentigo" || Dan BalanBălan &feat. Vera BrezhnevaMatteo || Sergey Solodkiy || Single

|2018 || "AllegroNuma VentigoNuma 2" || Dan BalanBălan feat. MatteoMarley Waters || Sergey Solodkiy || Single

|20192020 || "Balzam#ВСЕПРОБАЧАТИ (feat.Oksana Lusia ChebotinaMukha)" || Dan BalanBălan || Sergey Solodkiy/Dan BalanBălan || Single

|20202021 || "#ВСЕПРОБАЧАТИДышат (feat.Oksanaо Mukha)любви" || Dan BalanBălan & INDI || Dan BalanBălan || Single

|2021 || "ДышатЛюбовь окак любвив песнях" || Dan Balan & INDI Bălan|| Dan BalanBălan || Single

|20212023 || "ЛюбовьLove как в песняхMaria" || Dan[[Crazy Loop]] Balan|| Dan BalanBălan || Single

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| Dan BalanBălan feat [[Vera Brezhneva]]

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[[Category:English-language singers from RomaniaMoldova]]