Nino was born Stefanos Sakellarios Xypolitas in Stockholm, Sweden, on 29 June 1981, and shortly after moved with his family to Rhodes, Greece.
At a young age Nino wrote his first song, titled "Eisai To Pio Omorfo Pou Iparhi" ("You are the most beautiful that exists"), dedicated to his mother.
[2] He learned to play the harmonium, guitar (electric classical), drums, harmonica, accordion, and bass by the age of 16.
During the winter season of 2003–04, Nino appeared alongside Anna Vissi, Konstantinos Christoforou, and Hi-5 for a series of concert at club "Diogenis Studio".
For the winter season that followed, Nino appeared alongside Peggy Zina and Kostas Karafotis (another player within fame Story) for a series of concerts at the Apollon Club in Athens.
[citation needed] During the first half of 2005, Nino accompanied Peggy Zina for part of her world tour to Australia and the United Kingdom.
Nino returned in November 2005 with a more mature sounding album titled Ilikrinis (Honest), containing 15 songs.
Stamatis Gonidis wrote two more songs, and they collaborated successfully for a series of concerts all winter long at club "Thalassa".
[11] For promotion of the album, Nino appeared alongside Elena Paparizou and Pashalis Terzis for a series of concerts at the Iera Odos Club in Athens during the winter season.
[16] During the first half of 2008, Nino appeared alongside Chrispa and Andreas Stamos at Thalassa Club in Athens for the promotion of his album.
During the winter season, Nino reunited with Peggy Zina and Kostas Karafotis for a series of concerts at VOX Club, Athens.
[18] Nino took a Leave of absence in June 2009 and performed a cover of the song "I Kissed a Girl" with the band Kokkina Hallia at the 2009 MAD Video Music Awards.
The album, originally planned to be released in October 2008, was delayed due to a rift created between Nino and Heaven Music after his unwillingness to renew his contract with the label.
On 14 May 2010, Nino released his first digital-only single, titled "Theos" (God), promoted in exclusivity on affiliated radio station Dromos FM.
[24] He performed the song live, for the first time, on 19 May 2010 at the Playmate 2010 beauty contest aired by affiliated TV station Star Channel .