Gökhan Türkmen

Born in Istanbul in 1983, Gökhan Türkmen rose to prominence in the mid-2000s on the internet, when an amateur version of “Büyük İnsan” circulated widely while he was already performing in bars and on small stages around Istanbul. A guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer, Türkmen has developed a melodic Turkish pop that blends balladry, soft rock and touches of funk rock, often using acoustic formats. Signed at the end of 2007, he released the album Büyük İnsan in 2008, followed by Biraz Ayrılık in 2010 and the EP Ara in 2012 — a period in which his writing became steadier, balancing pop choruses, livelier tempos and sentimental songs. With En Baştan (2014) and Sessiz (2016) he broadened his scope, while launching his own label GTR Müzik and working for television, notably on the music for the series İnadına Aşk. His subsequent career alternates between singles, acoustic projects and collaborations — including with Harun Kolçak, Birkan Nasuhoğlu and Ceylan Ertem. His discography also includes the EP Synesthesia (2018), Virgül and Gökhan Türkmen'le Az Biraz (2019), the albums Romantik (2020) and 7 (2021), and the live release Akustik+ (2021).