Akcent is a Polish disco polo band formed in 1989 in Bielsk Podlaski by Zenon Martyniuk and Mariusz Anikiej. They are one of the most prominent bands in Poland's disco polo genre.
Akcent's name derives from the band names of its founders: Akord (Zenon Martyniuk) and Centrum (Mariusz Anikiej). Their debut cassette, Akcent 1, was released in 1991, followed by a hiatus during which Martyniuk formed ExâÂÂAkcent and Anikiej performed with Marinero.
Upon reuniting in 1993, they released the cassettes Dajcie mi gitaràand Sà Âuchajcie chà Âopcy, featuring the hit "Stary Cygan," which ended up in Radio KatowiceâÂÂs Przebój Roku poll.
1994âÂÂs album à »ycie to sàchwile included the breakout hits âÂÂMaà Âa figlarkaâ and âÂÂDà ºwiÃÂki strun,â which became nationwide successes and had their first music videos.
In 1995 the album Czar mià Âoà Âci was released; in 1996 they experimented with a dance sound on Akcent Dance, featuring tracks like âÂÂDaleko do gwiazdâÂÂ. The mid-to-late 1990s saw further success with albums Oczarowaà Âaà  mnie, Akcent Gold, and Wyznanie, the latter winning the Grand Prix at the National Festival of Disco Polo and Dance in Ostróda.
A 1999 lineup change followed Anikiej's departure, with the album Wspomnienie featuring re-arranged older hits.
Their landmark hit âÂÂPrzez twe oczy zieloneâ (2014) became an online sensation, surpassing 200 million views on YouTube and earning awards such as the Audience Award at the Ostróda Festival.
By 2016âÂÂ2018, the band continued to tour heavily and release hits like âÂÂKochana wierzàw mià Âoà ÂÃÂâ and âÂÂPrzekorny losâÂÂ. In 2017, Martyniuk's biography was published, and he appeared in a major TV biopic, cementing his status as a national icon.
Akcent has garnered numerous awards, particularly at the National Festival of Dance Music in Ostróda. Their albums like Przekorny los (Diamond) and Diamentowa kolekcja (Gold) highlight their commercial success.