5 Pop Turk Music Artists You Need to Know
Here are five Turkish music artists that you need to know about! These artists are making waves in the pop music scene and are definitely ones to watch out for in the coming years.
Sezen Aksu
Often considered the “queen of Turkish pop music,” Sezen Aksu has been making music since the late 1970s. Her signature blend of pop, folk, and Arabesque sounds has won her a loyal following both in Turkey and abroad. Aksu has also helped to launch the careers of other successful Turkish pop musicians, including Sertab Erener and Tarkan.
Tarkan
If you’re a fan of pop music, then there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Tarkan. He’s a Turkish pop singer who has been making music since the early 1990s. He has released several platinum-selling albums and has won numerous awards, including the World Music Award for Best Selling Turkish Artist three times. His most popular songs include “Şımarık”, “Kuzu Kuzu” and “Çakmak Çakmak”.
Ajda Pekkan
Ajda Pekkan is a Turkish pop singer who rose to prominence in the 1960s. She has been referred to as the “Queen of Turkish Pop” and is one of the country’s best-selling artists of all time. Pekkan has released over 40 albums and has won numerous awards, including the World Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Born in 1946 in Istanbul, Pekkan began her career as a model before releasing her debut album, Ajda Pekkan, in 1968. She achieved success with a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including “Süperstar,” “Şaşkın,” “Düşlerimin Prensesi,” and “Şeytan Bunun Neresinde.” In addition to her solo work, Pekkan has also collaborated with a number of high-profile artists, including Turkish composer and producer Onno Tunç, French singer Serge Gainsbourg, and British musician Sting.
Pekkan’s success has continued into the 21st century, with her albums Arada Sırada (2006) and Ayna (2009) both topping the Turkish charts. In 2016, she released a duet with Turkish pop star Tarkan, titled “Pare Pare.” Pekkan remains one of Turkey’s most popular and enduring musical artists.
Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener is a pop music artist from Turkey who rose to prominence in 2003 with her album No Boundaries. She has since released 5 studio albums and has won numerous awards, including the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004.
Erener’s music is a mix of pop, rock, Turkish folk music, and electronic influences. Her early work was strongly influenced by Turkish pop music, but she has increasingly incorporated Western pop and rock elements into her work. Erener is known for her powerful vocal performance and her eclectic range of musical styles.
Erener has been a prominent voice in the fight for gender equality and LGBT rights in Turkey. In 2012, she publicly supported a proposed law to protect victims of domestic violence, and she has spoken out against the discrimination faced by LGBT people in Turkey.
If you’re a fan of pop music with a Turkish twist, then Sertab Erener is an artist you need to know!
Murat Boz
Murat Boz is a Turkish pop singer and actor. He was born in 1980 in Karadeniz Eregli, Turkey. Boz began his music career in 2001, and has released seven studio albums since then. His music has been influenced by a variety of genres, including pop, rock, hip hop, and R&B. Boz has also appeared in a number of Turkish films and television shows.
