D2

D2 is a Bulgarian rock band formed in Sofia in 1994. The group begins with Dimitar Karnev on guitar and Dicho Hristov on vocals, alongside Krasimir Todorov on keyboards, Alexander Obretenov on bass, Yavor Alexandrov on drums and Desislav Semerdjiev on percussion. It is known as one of the best-known modern rock bands in Bulgaria.

Early releases and success

With Dicho as frontman, D2 releases two albums: Ledeno momiche in 2000 and 2002 in 2002. Before the first album appears, the song “Ne moga da spra da te obicham” gains wide popularity and spends several weeks at number one in Bulgarian charts and music programmes. Its follow-up, “Ledeno momiche” (“Ice Girl”), also becomes a major hit, spending 14 weeks at number one in the Bulgarian Top 100 and becoming a record-setting chart success in Bulgaria. Another track from the album, “Two traces”, stays seven weeks at number one in the Bulgarian Top 100.

Ledeno momiche becomes the best-selling musical product on the Bulgarian market for the period described in the bio, with more than 100,000 copies sold by the end of 2003. The single “You and I”, recorded with BG Radio, also reaches number one in the Bulgarian Top 100.

Awards and recognition

D2 wins the debut award and is nominated as band of the year at the MM television annual music awards for 1999. It goes on to win band of the year and album of the year at the MM awards for 2000, band of the year at the Melo TV Mania awards for 2000, and hit of the year for “Ledeno momiche” at the Forte Awards for 2000. In 2001, the band wins band of the year and best live performing band at the BG Radio and Forte annual awards.

In 2002, D2 receives awards for original music at Melo TV Mania, band of the year at BG Radio and MM television, album of the year at BG Radio, and hit of the year for “Sto godini” (“100 years”) at BG Radio. It also wins best live band at the BG Radio Awards in 2005.

Second album and later period

The song “Some day”, the pilot single from the album 2002, spends eight weeks at number one in Bulgarian Top 100 and also reaches number one in video and song-of-the-year charts. “Sto godini” also becomes a major chart success. The band is invited in 2004 by the Bulgarian Football Union, BG Radio and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to compose and perform the official song for the Bulgarian football team.

D2 performs outside Bulgaria in London in 2002, Vienna in 2003 and Kiev in 2003. The album 2002 sells 63,000 copies by the end of 2003.

Line-up changes and style

In May 2005, D2 ends its work with Dicho Hristov. Dejan Kamenov is announced as the new lead singer in December 2005 after the band sees him on the television reality show Star Academy and auditions other singers from Bulgaria and abroad. After a period of concerts and demo recordings, the band chooses him unanimously. The first production with Kamenov is “Tuk i sega” (“Here and Now”), described as setting a new direction for the band’s sound. The later line-up includes Dejan Kamenov on vocals, Dimitar Karnev on guitar and backing vocals, Alexander Obretenov on bass and Vasil Vutev on drums. Former members also include Krasimir Todorov, Yavor Alexandrov and Desislav Semerdjiev.

After Dicho leaves, the band shifts towards hard rock. One entry in the available information also associates the name D2 with a Eurodance track called “No Future”.