If you’ve been scrolling through YouTube’s Eastern European/Middle Asian trending music pages recently, you’ve likely stumbled upon a hauntingly beautiful track titled "Kar Mi Ser" (There Was a Love). The voice is soulful, the visuals are luxurious, and the artist is GANNA.
But who is she?
While she has stayed relatively mysterious to her English-speaking audience, we’ve done the digging to bring you the full story of the artist who is bridging the cultures of Kazakhstan and Armenia. From her unexpected background in finance to her powerful family connections, here is everything you need to know about GANNA.
Who is G ANNA? (The Origin Story)
Behind the stage name GANNA is Anna Avdalyan (born November 1, 1997).
Based in Kazakhstan, Anna isn't your typical pop star product. Before hitting the millions of views mark on YouTube, she actually pursued a serious career in numbers, holding a specialized degree in finance.
However, the stage was always her true calling. Sources reveal that despite her corporate background, she has been singing since childhood—a passion she shares with her biological sister. And this is where the story gets exciting for Armenian pop fans.
The "Sister Act" A Powerhouse Family
If you thought GANNA’s voice sounded familiar, you weren’t wrong. She is the sister of the massive Armenian pop star Oksy Avdalyan.
This connection explains their explosive collaboration on the track "Ari hashvenq astghery" (Let's Count the Stars). The song isn't just a duet, it’s a family reunion on the charts.
While Oksy has dominated the Armenian music scene, Anna has been quietly building her own empire from Kazakhstan. Bringing their voices together was a strategic masterclass, introducing Anna’s deep, emotive vocals to Oksy’s massive global fanbase.
The Breakout Hit "Kar Mi Ser" by GANNA (2023)
While being Oksy's sister opens doors, Anna walked through them on her own merit with her breakout solo hit, "Kar Mi Ser". The song is a romantic ballad that showcases her rich and emotional vocal texture and the video visuals are high-fashion aesthetics that rival top Russian and European productions.
With over 2.6 million views in two years, this track proved she is a standalone artist, not just a "feature" singer.
"Kar Mi Ser" music video details:
- Published: 16.6.2023 on Youtube.
- Length (music video): 3 minutes 22 seconds.
- Directed by: Tigran Avetisyan
- Edited by: Eduard Matencyan (Eskiz)
- Label: Independent (Ganna)
Sirty Im by GANNA (2024)
Armenian "Sirty Im" translates to "my heart" in English. The official music video showcases a professional production with contributions from a talented Armenian creative team.
The creative team represents some of the most active producers and directors in the Armenian music industry. Karen Khurshudyan, the arranger and mixing engineer, is a prolific music producer who has worked on numerous contemporary Armenian music projects. Zoz Hovsepyan, credited for the lyrics, is a songwriter, linguist, and writer—a multi-talented creator who brings linguistic depth to the song's emotional expression.
"Sirty Im" music video details:
- Published: 13.12.2024 on Youtube.
- Length (music video): 3 minutes 5 seconds.
- Directed by: Davit Avagyan
- Edited by: Gag Davidov
- Label: Independent (Ganna)
GANNA Musical Style the "Multicultural Bridge"
Living in Kazakhstan but singing primarily in Armenian (and occasionally Russian, as seen in her track Мой Рай "Moy Ray"), GANNA acts as a cultural bridge.
To understand GANNA's work within the broader musical landscape, it's worth noting that Armenian pop music encompasses various styles and traditions. The contemporary scene includes the rabiz genre—a distinctly Armenian style marked by dance-oriented melodies, traditional folk elements, and emotional vocal delivery. While GANNA's style appears more aligned with mainstream contemporary pop, her work incorporates the emotional intensity and melodic sophistication characteristic of Armenian musical traditions.
- Genre: Her style floats between Modern Pop Folk and Ethno-Ballads.
- Themes: Heartbreak, resilience, and romantic nostalgia.
- Identity: As a young mother (she has a daughter named Ilona) and a divorcee, her music often touches on themes of mature, complex love, which resonates deeply with her female audience.
What’s Next for G ANNA?
2025 is shaping up to be her "takeover" year. She has been teasing new music on her Instagram (@ganna__ag), and with the success of her recent collaborations, we expect to see her touring beyond Kazakhstan soon.
Our Verdict: GANNA is one of the most promising "crossover" artists in the CIS region right now. If you love the emotional depth of Armenian ballads mixed with the polished production of modern pop, she needs to be on your playlist.
