Born Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu on October 16, 1986, in Mangalia, Romania, she is closely affiliated with Play & Win, a Romanian production trio comprised of Marcel Botezan, Radu Bolfea, and Alexandru Barac, who have an impressive track record of commercial success as club music hitmakers. Inna made her commercial debut in 2008 with the Play & Win-produced single "Hot." Originally released domestically, "Hot" topped the Romanian singles chart and was released internationally in 2009. While the song was most successful in Eastern Europe, it also proved popular in some Western European countries such as Spain, where it reached number one in July, and in the Netherlands, where it reached the Top Five in September. The full-length album Hot (2009) was released in the midst of the title track's international success. Produced by Play & Win, the album included the follow-up singles "Love," "Déjà Vu," and "Amazing." I Am the Club Rocker appeared two years later in 2011. ~ Jason Birchmeier