International Turkish Singers
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Tarkan Tevetoglu - More popularly known as Tarkan . Born 17 October 1972) is a Turkish-German singer-songwriter. Since the early 1990s, with the successful sales of his albums, he has been a prominent figure of the Turkish pop music, being known in both Turkey and Europe.
Tarkan was born and raised in Alzey, Rhineland-Palatinate. In 1986, he moved to Turkey together with his family. Tarkan, who had been interested in music since his childhood, went to high school at Karamursel and took music lessons. In the following years, he met the owner of Istanbul Plak, Mehmet Sogutoglu, and signed a contract to release his own album.
Tarkan released his first album ''Yine Sensiz'' in late 1992 with "Kil Oldum" being chosen as its lead single. His second and third albums, Aacayipsin and Olurum Sana, were released in 1994 and 1998 respectively. The song "Simarik" from ''Olurum Sana'' became popular in a number of countries. In 1998, he signed a new contract with Universal Music Group. In 1999, his compilation album, Tarkan, received platinum and gold certifications in several countries. In 2001, he made music videos for the songs "Kuzu Kuzu, "Hup" and "Verme" from his fourth studio album ''Karma''. Two years later, the album ''Dudu'' performed well on the sales charts, and in 2006 with the release of his first English album, Come Closer, he became known in Europe. "Bounce" and "Start the Fire" were the lead singles of this album. The lyrics of the songs included in the album ''Metamorfoz'' were praised by the Turkish Language Association. In 2010, his seventh studio album, ''Adimi Kalbine Yaz'', became the best-selling album of the year in Turkey. In 2016, his ninth studio album, Ahde Vefa, which has a Classical Turkish theme, was released.
Alongside his music career, Tarkan has taken part in numerous social projects and is known as "Megastar" and "Prince of the Bosporus" in the press. One of few European singers who has managed to span chart success without singing in English, he is also noted for his live stage performances. Tarkan's effect on Turkey has been compared by the Washington Post to that of Elvis Presley in the US around 1957 and Atlantic Records's co-founder Ahmet Ertegun described him as one of the best live performers he had ever seen. He has also been listed by Rhapsody as a key artist in the history of European pop music, with his signature song "Simarik" as a keystone track that moved the genre forward. His albums have sold over 15 million copies. Throughout his career, he has won four Turkey Music Awards, six Golden Butterfly Awards and one World Music Award and has received various nominations.- Music Department
- Actress
- Composer
Sertab Erener (born 4 December) is a Turkish pop music singer. In Europe, she is best known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with her hit song "Every Way That I Can".
A native of Istanbul, Erener studied opera before beginning her musical career working with Turkish music icon, Sezen Aksu.
She released her first album, Sakin Ol, in 1992, and followed it with four more Turkish-language albums over the next decade. Her album Lâ'l was included by Sony Music in its "Soundtrack for a Century" collection.
In 1995, she sang a Turkish pop version of Colors of the Wind for the Turkish dub of Pocahontas. A year later, she became the official speaking and singing voice of Esmeralda in the Turkish dub of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
After competing unsuccessfully in two national Eurovision Song Contest finals in 1989 and 1990, she was internally selected in 2003 and won the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, representing Turkey with the song "Every Way That I Can", co-written by Demir Demirkan. The song went on to top charts in countries all over Europe, including Sweden and Greece.
In the wake of her Eurovision success, Erener released her first English-language album, No Boundaries, in 2004. Her renditions of "Here I Am" and Bob Dylan's "One More Cup of Coffee" were used in international movie soundtracks. "One More Cup of Coffee" was used in the soundtrack to Masked and Anonymous a semi-biopic of Bob Dylan.
In 2005, Erener released a Turkish-language album named Ask Ölmez, promoted with songs such as "Ask Ölmez, Biz Ölürüz" ("Love Doesn't Die, We Do") and "Satilik Kalpler Sehri" ("City of Hearts For Sale"). She also appeared on the movie soundtrack album of Fatih Akin's Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul, with a lauded rendition of Madonna's song "Music".
On 22 October 2005, Erener appeared on Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest, a competition to choose the best Eurovision song of all time, performing the final verse and chorus of "Every Way That I Can". The song finished ninth in a field of fifteen. At the same event, Erener revealed she was to release another English language album.
In 2009, Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan created a band called Painted on Water and they released a self-titled album in the United States on the Motéma Music label.
In 2010, she sang a Turkish version of Something That I Want for the Turkish dub of Tangled.
In 2012, Sertab Erener recorded Turkish Airlines' "Globally Yours" jingle which was used until June 2013.- Composer
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Singer, composer, movie actor, TV producer, TV celebrity. Born in Istanbul on January 2nd, 1943. Married to Lale, and father of two sons: Dogukan and Batikan.
After high school education in Galatasaray Lisesi, Turkey, he graduated from "L'Académie Royale des Beaux Arts de Liège" in Belgium in 1969.
He wrote, composed and performed more than 200 songs. A large number of these songs were translated into Greek, Bulgarian, Romanian, Arabic, Persian, Kurdish and re-recorded by local artists. 12 of his albums were crowned gold and 1 platinum.
In 1988, after 30 years of brilliant singer career, with a young and dynamic team, he created a new "family and children oriented" TV show for TRT 1 (Turkish State TV, 1st. Channel). The basic idea was, to travel around the world, to meet remote people (mainly children) and to try to build new cultural bridges between countries in a unique blend of an educational, entertaining but musical atmosphere. "From 7 to 77 with Baris Manco", completed it's eight successful year, and reached its 300th. week (an anniversary that has never celebrated before by any TV show in Turkey) is still one of the nation's most favorite Sunday TV shows and is retransmitted the same day, by satellite to Europe, to the Mediterranean area, to the Central Asia and to the Middle East. Baris Manco and his TV crew traveled "From the Polar Circle to Equator", via Patagonia and Himalayas, and covered more than 150 countries. In other words, they toured some twelve times and a half, around the world. The presidents, philosophers, writers, members of the royal families, superstars, astronauts... are among those whom Baris Manco has already hosted in his show. As a token of appreciation for such an international cultural effort, Baris Manco received some 300 Grand Prix awards, trophies, prizes and nominations in his career. Such as: Doctor Honoris Causa Es Art of the Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey (1991), Turkish State Artist of the Republic of Turkey (1991), International Culture and Peace Award of the Soka University, Tokyo, Japan (1991), Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of the Republic of France, Paris (1992), Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold II of the Kingdom of Belgium, Brussels (1992), Honorific Citizen of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat (1995), Doctor Honoris Causa of the Pamukkale University, Turkey (1995), Highest Honor Award of Art of Min-On foundation, Tokyo, Japan (1995).
Baris also had political ambitions and in 1995 he was candidate for mayor of the Istanbul district of Kadikoy by the conservative True Path Party (DYP), but heart problems forced him to withdraw from the race.
He was fond of Victorian and Art Deco furniture. He owned two of the largest collections of Art Nouveau Glass and 18th. century Japanese "Imari" porcelain in Turkey.
He died unexpectedly on 31st January 1999, from a heart attack. His funeral service was held on the 3rd of February 1999 at the Ataturk State Theater in Istanbul and huge masses of people gathered along his last trip to the mosque of Levent, after which Baris Manco was Laid to rest.- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Kenan Dogulu (born Cihangir, Istanbul, Turkey) is a Turkish pop musician. He represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki, where he was placed fourth, with 163 points.
He stated in an interview that "My grandfather is from Antep. My father is from Adanali. "Dogulu" surname probably came from Israel. In the past, Everyone who came from east is called "Dogulu". My name "Kenan" means Canaan country." He is second son of Yurdaer Dogulu (1941-87). His father was also a musician and released four albums. At the early age of five, he enrolled into the piano class of the School of Music. Having completed six years of education in the piano class, he started flute classes from Erkan Alpay, his instructor, and continued with guitar classes from Erdem Sökmen. In the meantime, he continued his education in drama and rhythmic instruments, and he carried on singing as a soloist in the children's chorus. Later, he successfully graduated from Culture College and completed the Communications certificate program at Hesser College.
His first album, Yaparim Bilirsin was released in August 1993. His second album Simsiki Siki Siki was released in December 1994. The album Kenan Dogulu 3 was released in August 1996. After a two-year hiatus, he released the album Ex Askim in 2001. In 2002, Kenan Dogulu 5.5, the unplugged version of Ex Askim was released. He followed this up in 2003 with the album Demedi Deme. In the summer of 2006, Dogulu released the album Festival, containing the hit single Çakkidi, in collaboration with Sezen Aksu.
He represented Turkey at the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki with Shake It Up Sekerim. Owing to his third position in the semi-final, he passed to the final where he placed fourth with 163 points. Kenan Dogulu began dating actress Beren Saat in February 2012. Dogulu and Saat became engaged on 23 February 2014 in Istanbul and were married on 29 July 2014 in a private Nikah ceremony in Los Angeles, United States.- Producer
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Mahsun Kirmizigul, who was born into a large family, completed primary and secondary schools in Diyarbakir. He came to Istanbul with great hopes from city where he was born and raised. His big dream was to be an artist. On the one hand, while struggling with the difficult conditions of Istanbul alone; On the other hand, he made 6 albums at the age of being a child, but he could not achieve what he desired.
The artist, who did not lose hope, had decided to study conservatory then he graduated from Istanbul University, State Conservatory Singing Department. Following his music education, Mahsun Kirmizigul, released "Alem Buysa" album in the year of 1993, almost turn upside-down the list in the music world and he became famous.
Mahsun Kirmizigul, who was born into a large family, completed primary and secondary schools in Diyarbakir. He came to Istanbul with great hopes from city where he was born and raised. His big dream was to be an artist. On the one hand, while struggling with the difficult conditions of Istanbul alone; On the other hand, he made 6 albums at the age of being a child, but he could not achieve what he desired.
The artist, who did not lose hope, had decided to study conservatory then he graduated from Istanbul University, State Conservatory Singing Department. Following his music education, Mahsun Kirmizigul, released "Alem Buysa" album in the year of 1993, almost turn upside-down the list in the music world and he became famous.
The artist, who made all the difference to the music world, generated his own music style in the 90's. As one of Turkey's best voices, Mahsun Kirmizigul, who dragged millions after him, achieved an unequalled success in the music world. The artist reached a total of 16 million sales charts with 7 albums, 1 maxi single and 1 single released in 11 years. The artist, who gave hundreds of concerts on 5 continents, was the most well-known musician in the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Balkans apart from Turkey. The famous musician took a radical decision in the mid-2000s and took a break from music and dedicated himself to explaining the problems of his country and making communal films.
His movies have been watched approximately by 20 million people in domestic and foreign cinemas, for 16 years of giving break music. He produced 6 films that are expressed as among the masterpiece of Turkish cinema. When the artist was getting financial gain far so much in the peak of his success as a musician, he took his interest in his country's issues, which were ignored, and produced proposition films.
The artist, who was passionately attached to the cinema in his childhood; got a big break with Beyaz Melek, the first movie that he wrote, directed, starred in and composed music for. While Beyaz Melek became the "most-watched movie" among domestic and foreign films released in Turkey in 2007; It won the 'Best Film' and 'Best Director awards at the 41st Houston Film Festival.
Mahsun Kirmizigul, with his second movie 'I Saw the Sun' in 2009; boldly displayed a 25-year-old unsolvable social problem. The film, which had a great impact at home and abroad, was Turkey's Oscar nominee. "I Saw the Sun", which was the "Most Watched Movie of the Year" in the drama category in Turkey the year it was in the vision, received two awards at the same time in the "Best Performance" and "Best Cinematography" categories at the Singapore International Film Festival.
"Five Minarets in New York", the first script of which he wrote in 1998 and developed in 11 years, took its place on the big screen as Mahsun Kirmizigul's third feature film. Focusing on the blood feud of two Kurdish characters from Bitlis, the movie became Turkey's most-watched drama in the year it was released. "Mucize", which he wrote as the 4. film is inspired by a real story, win great recognition and it once again broke the record at the box office and became Turkey's most-watched drama film in the drama category in the year it was released.
The 5. film of the artist, who tried to tell the story of a dishonest Judge, who was corrupt in the Ottoman period, defrauded people by exploiting religion, in a funny language in the film "Vezir Parmagi", was banned by the Governorships in 36 locations. The film, which does not contain a single word of profanity, was limited to the age of 18 by the Ministry of Culture, and outdoor advertisements of the film were banned. While the posters of the movie were torn from the billboards, the world of cinema fell into silence. Unions and cinema professional associations could not even make a single statement for the censored and banned film "Vezir Parmagi". Despite all the blocking, censorship and defamation, the movie was watched by approximately 800,000 people.
The artist, continuing his cinema passion, produced "Mucize" as the 6. film and "Mucize Ask 2" as a sequel. The sequel "Mucize Ask 2" made it to the top again, with over 2 million box offices in theatres.
Mahsun Kirmizigul took part as a director, screenwriter and actor in 6 movies that he transferred to the movie screen; broke new ground by making the soundtracks of his films and went down in the history of Turkish cinema. Artist; With his 6 films, he became the filmmaker who does well at the box office in the last 40 years in the drama category in Turkey.
The legendary artist, who received hundreds of awards in music and cinema, started to work on albums again in 2019. He returned to the music world, where he took a break for 16 years, in the first seconds of 2022. The artist, who put out the first album of the new year to be released in the world, so to speak left his mark in 2022 by adding innovation and movement to the music world.
Mahsun Kirmizigul, who appeared in front of his fans with the album "Hos Geldin" consisting of 17 songs, at a time when artists did not dare to make an album, also exhibit his difference.
He made the premiere of the album on New Year's Eve on a TV channel before social media and digital platforms. At the gala night, millions of fans of the artist were watching him on the screens. The artist, who made a great difference in the music world, broke new ground again by making the whole album of Dollbey Atmos a new generation sound extension. The artist has made a place for himself in "World Global" on digital platforms. Returning to music with new experimental work, the artist gave a place, Turkish Pop, Fusion, Edm, Progressive House, Anatolian Rock, Latin, Trap, Alternative, Authentic Music, Ragatoon, Acoustic, Turkish Folk Music and Arabesque music genres in his album.- Composer
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Nil Karaibrahimgil (born 17 October in Ankara, Turkey), also popularly known simply as Nil (Turkish for the Nile), is a Turkish singer and songwriter mostly noted for her distinct lyrics. Nil's passion and admiration for music stems from her father, Suavi Karaibrahimgil, who is also a musician although he is not currently active in the Turkish music industry. In 2000, she graduated from Bogaziçi University with a degree in Political Science and International Relations. She also further received the Crystal Apple prize award twice, which recognized her achievements in advertising. Besides academic success, Nil has found fortune in the Turkish music scene. Many of her songs deal with love, marriage and relationships. On January 21, 2010, she married Sertab Erener's brother Serdar Erener near the shore of the Nile River. She has a son Aziz Arif, born in May 2014.
Up to 2007, Nil has managed to release 3 successful albums along with several singles of her own here and there. In 2002, her debut album "Nil Dünyasi" brought her into the spotlight with hits that included "Kek" and "XL". Two years later, Nil followed with another album called "Nil FM" which achieved success similar to that of her first album. Some of the hit singles released from that album included "Gitme Yoksa...", "Akbaba", "Ben Aptal Miyim?" and "Bronzlasmak" as well.
In 2006, Nil would go on to release her third album called "Tek Tasimi Kendim Aldim". The album brought Nil further success with hits including "Pirlanta", "Peri" and of course, "Organize Isler Bunlar" which is the original soundtrack of the movie Organize Isler. All of the three singles from this album managed to easily top most Turkish charts. In late 2006, Nil released a single called, "Yas 18" (Age 18) which is one of the two tracks she recorded for the soundtrack of the Turkish movie Sinav (Exam). Both the movie and the song deal with the pressure Turkish students face preparing for matriculation, as well as angst from coming of age.- Actor
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Mustafa Sandal was born on 11 January 1970 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is an actor and composer, known for Arif V 216 (2018), Only You (2014) and Karisik Kaset (2014). He was previously married to Emina Jahovic.- Actor
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Ibrahim Tatlises (born January 1, 1952) is a folk singer. Tatlises has recorded 42 albums, including notable albums such as Ayaginda Kundura and Selam Olsun and was the host of the highly popular television programme Ibo Show. He was also a leading actor that appeared in several dozen films, and also worked in the restaurant and tourism businesses. He survived an assassination attempt in 2011 after being shot in the head.
Ibrahim Tatli was born in Urfa, in the southeast of Turkey. He is of mixed Arab-Kurdish ancestry. Kurdish is his mother tongue. He lost his father during childhood, and did not attend high school. He did not know how to read or write growing up.
In the 1980s the Turkish government had banned the use of Kurdish; at a concert in Sweden in December 1986, he had sung folk songs in Kurdish and was thus prosecuted for separatist propaganda, but found not guilty in 1987. The charge was dismissed after he showed regret. In 1988, he was asked by businessman Mehmet Yilmaz at a cultural festival in Usak to sing a Kurdish folk song, but refused, saying "I am a Kurd, but the laws ban me for singing in Kurdish". For this, he was indicted on September 19, 1988.
In 1994 there were evidence that Turkish counter-guerrilla organizations targeted Kurdish businessmen, including Tatlises, Idris Ozbir, Halis Toprak, and Necdet Ulucan. In 1998 it was reported that Tatlises offered to be an intermediary between the government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during the armed conflict. He recorded an track album with Iranian kurdish musicians Abdollah Alijani Ardeshir.
In 2018, he gave public support to the Turkish military operation in Afrin against the People's Protection Units.
After returning from Germany, Tatlises married Aysegül Yildiz on 27 September 2011 in the rehabilitation facility where he was receiving treatment.
He sold tapes and sang at weddings and in restaurants until a producer discovered him in 1976. He had adopted Tatlises (sweet-voiced) as a stage name.
Tatlises is regarded the most famous of the Arabesk singers. He is known popularly as "Ibo".
He recorded an track album with iranian kurdish musicians Abdollah Alijani Ardeshir in 2008.
Tatlises is involved in the restaurant and tourism businesses, as well as in construction projects with business partner Ali Sariyildiz in Iraq.- Actress
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Hadise Açikgöz is a Turkish-Belgian singer-songwriter, dancer, and television personality. Born and raised in Belgium, her family originally come from Sivas, Turkey. In 2003, she participated in the Belgian singing competition show Idool 2003, but rose to fame after releasing her debut album Sweat in 2005. The album spawned 5 singles and earned Hadise both a TMF Award (Belgium) and "Altin Kelebek" Award (Turkey). Hadise established and maintained a successful career in both Belgium and Turkey with the release of her self-entitled album Hadise (2008). The album which includes English and Turkish songs, features the single "Deli Oglan" that became a number-one hit in Turkey.
In 2009, Hadise represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Düm Tek Tek". The song gained a total of 177 points, placing Turkey fourth in the final round of the competition. "Düm Tek Tek" earned Hadise her first number one single in Belgium and was followed-up with the release of her studio albums Fast Life, (2009) and Kahraman (2009). The single "Evlenmeliyiz" from Kahraman was among the top-ten hits on Türkçe Top 20. She has since focused on her career in Turkey with the release of her albums Ask Kaç Beden Giyer? (2011) and Tavsiye (2014).
Her name was chosen by one of her grandparents, having originally being intended for her older sister. Hadise's parents emigrated to Belgium from Sivas, Turkey. Her mother is Kumyk and her father is Lezgin. She grew up with her older sister, Hülya, a younger sister Derya and also a younger brother named Murat. Hadise was 11 years old when her parents divorced.
Hadise studied economics and modern languages. She is fluent in five languages: Turkish and Dutch (which are her native languages), French, German and English.
At the age of 18 and with the support of her family Hadise participated in the first season of the show Idool, the Flemish version of the Pop Idol series. She failed to qualify for the finals, however, her appearance was acknowledged by her soon-to-be manager Johan Hendrickx. Hendrickx contacted Hadise explaining how impressed he was with her performance on the show and offered her an album contract.
In 2006, Hadise presented Popstar Türkiye (tr) (Turkish version of Popstars). It was her first presenting role in Turkey. From 2008 to 2009, she got a job as a presenter for the first time in Belgium. She was the presenter of the second season of Belgian X Factor at VTM. Although it was her first television job in Belgium, Hadise garnered much praise. She handled a critical moment when Maurice Engelen, one of the judges, left the contest during a live television cast. Hadise was also praised by the candidats of X Factor for guiding them. Since 2011, Hadise has working as one of the judges on the singing competition show O Ses Türkiye (Turkish version of The Voice).
Hadise has said she admires artists such as Shakira, Brandy Norwood, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, U2 and Prince. Hadise's songs have also clearly been influenced by Turkish music, making her songs rather unusual, as it fuses R&B and Turkish pop. Examples of songs by her combining a strong Turkish slant with an Urban feel include "Stir Me Up", "Bad Boy", "A Good Kiss" and "Don't Ask". Many people have compared Hadise to American R&B singer Beyoncé. Her fans affectionately call her the most famous Turkish star worldwide.
In September 2009, Hadise donated her time in support of the "Schools without Bullying" campaign in Belgium. During a press conference held by the organization, Hadise explained how as a child she "was bullied for her cloths" and even "because of her origin". She explained that she wanted to be part of the project because she loved children and had been a graduate herself, she understood how there was no place for bullying.
Hadise has rejected two offers to star in a film. One of the parts was the leading role in a Turkish movie. Not much is known about this film, apart from the fact that the film supposedly focused on two sisters, one of whom was to be played by Hadise. In July 2008, Hadise was again offered a role in a Turkish comedy film.- Actress
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Ajda Pekkan was born on February 12, 1946 in Istanbul to a Turkish naval officer father. She spent her childhood at the naval base in Golcuk (Turkey) amongst American families.
In 1962, at the beginning of her musical career, she appears as a singer at a very popular club of the time called 'Cati'. One year later in 1963, she becomes the winner of a contest organized by SES Magazine, searching for new talents for the movie industry. This marks her professional career.
Pekkan became a recognized star in Turkish movie industry. 1963 to 1967 she acted in 47 movies with well known actors such as Ayhan Isik, Cuneyt Arkin, Izzet Gunay, Ediz Hun until her last movie, 'Harun Resid'in Gozdesi'.
What she really wanted to do was to become the best singer ever one can possibly be. She was one of the first to sing western style popular songs in their native languages such as Italian, French and English at early years, later singing the same songs in Turkish.
In 1965 her very own single 'Her Yerde Kar Var - 17' Yasinda was out in the markets. In 1967 her single 'Iki Yabanci' broke sale records. In 1968 and 1969 she represented Turkey at the International Apollonia Music Festival (Greece) with a Turkish song, 'Ozleyis', and 'Perhaps One Day' in English.
At the beginning of the seventies with her growing reputation, Ajda Pekkan drew the attention of foreign music companies and settled in France for many years.
The first success was a song composed by Mort Schuman and Etien Roda Gil just for her, 'Babylone Babylone'. Pekkan was at one of her peaks with a series of concerts took place at world famous Olympia Music Hall in Paris with a world famous French singer Enrico Macias. It was no later than that time she recorded songs in French, German, Greek, Spanish, Japanese and had already acquired international fame.
In the middle of the seventies she boomed. Each and every one of her songs became a Pekkan Classic, e.g. 'Tanri Misafiri', 'Kimler Geldi Kimler Gecti' and 'Hosgor Sen'.
In 1977, she represented Turkey at The Yamaha Music Festival (Japan) with a French song, 'A Mes Amours', and gained two great awards, one for the best performer, one for the best song. Following this success she released two singles in Japan.
Again in 1977, her album 'Superstar' was one of its kind with astonishing design and production, followed by concerts, stage performances, and international tours. With her 'Superstar 2' album in 1979, she once again was at her peak in her musical career.
She also represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song 'Pet'r Oil', but did not get the expected result. She then moved to the United States for a while.
Following the USA years, without wasting any time, Pekkan successfully performed 'Superstar 83' show, followed by an album with the popular group 'Bes Yil Once On Yil Sonra'. Her marriage caused her to suspend her musical career for many years. She broke her silence with her 'Ajda 90' Album. 'Ajda 91', 'Ajda 93', 'Ajda 96' albums followed. In 1998 it was time for 'The Best Of', followed by 'DIVA' albums in the year 2000. 2003 brought us the single 'Sen Iste', and brought her a successful new beginning.
In 1998, the Turkish Ministry of Culture granted her statute of 'Artist of State' representing so many years of her dedicated career.
With her last album released in 2006, 'Ben Aslında O Gordugun Cool Kadın Degildim', Ajda Pekkan once more proved she was one of the most important quality sounds in Turkey.- Music Department
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Sezen Aksu is a Turkish pop music singer, songwriter and producer who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. Her nicknames include the "Queen of Turkish Pop" and Minik Serçe ("Little Sparrow").
Sezen Aksu's influence on Turkish pop and world music has continued since her debut in 1975, and has been reinforced by her patronage of and collaboration with many other musicians, including Sertab Erener, Sebnem Ferah, Askin Nur Yengi, Hande Yener, and Levent Yüksel. Her work with Tarkan resulted in continental hits like "Simarik" and "Sikidim" and her collaboration with Goran Bregovic widened her international audience.
Sezen Aksu was born in Sarayköy, Denizli, Turkey. Her family moved to Bergama when she was three years old and she spent her childhood and early youth there. Aksu's parents discouraged her singing because they wanted her to have a steady profession as a doctor or engineer. She used to wait until they left the house and sing on the family's balcony. After finishing high school, she began studying at the local agricultural institute, but left college to concentrate on music.
Along with her close friend Ajda Pekkan, Aksu is credited with laying the foundations of Turkish pop music in the 1970s. Her sound has also spread across the Balkans and Greece. Aksu has also toured in Europe and the U.S to critical appraise. She has championed a variety of causes, including support for constitutional reform, minority rights, women's rights, the environment, and educational reform in Turkey. She has a son with Sinan Özer, named Mithat Can, who is also a lead vocalist of Pist'on band.
In the 80's, Aksu had a relationship with producer Onno Tunç that was both romantic and professional. As a couple they put their signatures to works that broke new ground in Turkish pop music, such as Sen Aglama, Git, Sezen Aksu'88 and Sezen Aksu Söylüyor. Her music matured in the 90's, when she co-produced her best selling album to-date Gülümse with Tunç. The A-1 track from the album called Hadi Bakalim was a hit in Turkey and Europe, and was published as a single in Germany. It was to be later rediscovered in Europop by singer Loona as Rhythm of the Night. She also began to produce albums for her vocalists, notably producing Askin Nur Yengi's debut album Sevgiliye (To a Lover) again with Tunç. She was to repeat her success with artists Sertap Erener and Levent Yüksel also.
In 2005, she was featured in Fatih Akin's documentary film "Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul" with a performance of the song "Istanbul Hatirasi", Aksu has recently been re-releasing all her old classics digitally remastered and with specially designed new sleeves.
In 2008, Aksu released her album called Deniz Yildizi through Starfish Records. And in 2009 she released her latest album Yürüyorum Düs Bahçelerinde. The album contains new original songs as well as some older songs which were composed by Sezen Aksu for other singers, most notably Çakkidi, Kibir, Yok Ki.- Composer
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Zülfü Livaneli was born on 20 June 1946 in Ilgin, Konya, Turkey. He is a composer and writer, known for Sis (1989), Iron Earth, Copper Sky (1987) and Mutluluk (2007).- Composer
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Fazil Say was born on 14 January 1970 in Ankara, Turkey. He is a composer and director, known for Happy New Year London (2007), Persona (2018) and Bride of Istanbul (2017).- Actress
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Sabahat Akkiraz was born on 6 February 1957 in Mersin, Turkey. She is an actress, known for Taken 2 (2012), The Pit (2016) and Beyaz Show (1996).- Actor
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Müslüm Gürses was born on 7 May 1953 in Sanliurfa, Turkey. He was an actor and composer, known for For My Son (2015), Love Likes Coincidences (2011) and Kolpaçino (2009). He was married to Muhterem Nur. He died on 3 March 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Actor
- Music Department
- Composer
Emrah was born in 1971 in Ergani, Diyarbakir, Turkey. He is an actor and composer, known for Love and Hate (2016), Sevdim (1989) and Ebb and Tide (2013).