Turkish Rappers:
List of the Top Turkish Hip Hop Artists
Turkey boasts one of the world’s most thriving rap scenes, featuring talented Turkish rappers and hip hop artists. Listening to Turkish hip hop is not just about experiencing the music of a Turkish rap artist but also a way to explore Turkey’s traditions and cultures. With its unique sound and style, hip hop music in Turkey captures the essence of the country and its people.
Hip hop’s entrance into Turkey can be attributed to various factors. The initial emergence of Turkish rap is often credited to the migration of Turkish citizens to western Europe, particularly Germany, which has the most significant Turkish population in Europe.
Some of the initial Turkish rappers in Germany were Volkan T, King Size Terror, Islamic Force, Attila Murat Aydın, Alper Ağa, Aziza A, Erci E, Fuat Ergin, and a few more. Meanwhile, in Turkey, some of the first voices in hip-hop were Cartel, Yener Çevik, Barikat, Sagopa Kajmer, Ceza, Dr. Fuchs, who emerged during the mid to late 1990s and 2000s.
While living abroad, young Turks developed a strong interest in hip hop music, which was already a well-established and increasingly popular genre in the countries they moved to. Thanks to the global reach of rap music, Turkish hip hop has continued to grow and thrive. Even though there may be a language barrier, the current Turkish rap scene has produced some of the world’s most talented rap artists.
Top 25 Turkish Rappers
1. Ezhel
Ezhel, originally from Ankara, started his rap career at a young age under the aliases CJ and Ais Ezhel. He rose to fame in the late 2000s and continued his success until the late 2010s, especially following the name change to Ezhel. He has since released multiple albums, including hit records like “Şehrimin Tadı,” “LOLO,” “Bul Beni,” and “Nerdesin,” becoming the face of Turkish hip hop.
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2. Gazapizm
Turkish rapper Gazapizm has grown a reputation known for his catchy beats, complex rhymes, and socially conscious messages, often connecting with the youth and the people of Turkey. He has released four albums to date, Majör Depresyon (2009), Yeraltı Edebiyatı (2014), Bir Gün Her Şey (2016), and Hiza (2020), and has had a steady praise for his unmatched style and lyrical touch.
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3. Ben Fero
Renowned Turkish rapper and songwriter Ben Fero has captivated audiences with his unique blend of contemporary hip-hop and traditional Turkish music. Hailing from the city Izmir, Ben Fero began his career in 2010 and rose to prominence with the release of his debut studio album, Orman Kanunlari, in 2018. The album showcased Fero’s ability to incorporate powerful storytelling and thought-provoking lyrics into his music, earning him widespread acclaim and a loyal fan base.
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4. Murda
Murda has carved a niche for himself in the highly competitive Turkish hip hop scene with his distinctive style applied on top of infectious beats. He first gained prominence in the early 2000s as a member of the Dutch hip-hop group THC. His diverse musical influences and multicultural background of being Dutch and Turkish have played an integral role in shaping his sound. This has given Murda the ability to release numerous chart-topping hits, like “AYA,” “Bi Sonraki Hayatimda Gel,” “Eh Baba,” “Gece Gündüz,” “RARRii,” and “Pahalı.”
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5. Sagopa Kajmer
The veteran and OG Sagopa Kajmer has made significant contributions to the Turkish hip hop scene. He began his musical journey in the late 1990s under the moniker Silahsız Kuvvet, gaining recognition through his thought-provoking lyrics and captivating storytelling abilities. In recent years, he has continued his promise in the Turkish rap scene. His discography comprises numerous critically acclaimed albums, such as Bir Pesimistin Gözyaşları, Romantizma, and Şarkı Koleksiyoncusu.
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6. Norm Ender
Norm Ender has been a prolific and influential figure in the Turkish hip-hop scene since the early 2000s. His unique blend of traditional Turkish music with modern rap elements has garnered widespread acclaim. Ender’s early career was marked by various rap battles and underground performances. Eventually he would release his debut album Delikanlı Şarkıları in 2006. Over the years, Norm Ender has continued to refine his sound and push the boundaries of Turkish hip-hop. Some notable examples include his sophomore album Aura (2009), which showcased a more introspective approach, and his critically acclaimed 2014 release Mekanın Sahibi, which solidified Ender’s status as one of the leading voices in Turkish rap.
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7. Şanışer
Şanışer began his music career during the late 2000s, beginning with the Bullsh** collaborative mixtape in 2007. He would later rise to prominence, despite facing criticisms and controversies for his outspokenness. His dedication has brought the works of multiple albums, from 2008’s Ludovico to 2021’s Umut, and a host of hit songs, including “Susaman,” “Ne için yaşıyorum,” and “Ben Kimim?.” Şanışer’s impact has not only been showcased within the Turkish rap community but also on a larger scale, within the cultural landscape of Turkey.
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8. Ceza
Debuting during the 1990s and being a prominent figure in the Turkish rap scene since the early 2000s, Ceza has propelled himself the top tier of Turkey’s music scene. His groundbreaking album, Rapstar, released in 2004, garnered widespread acclaim and solidified his status as a leading voice in Turkish hip hop. With music that reflects the daily lifestyles and struggles of many Turkish listeners, his fearless approach has led him to transition his career over multiple decades.
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9. Patron
Patron’s rise to fame began with the release of the Professional series during the early 2010s, from volume 1 to volume 3. From 2009’s Yeraltından Yeryüzüne to the recent release of 2023’s patron goes to miami, Patron has accumulated over a dozen full length albums and mixtaptes. His contribution to Turkish hip-hop, with the help of songs like “Ölebilirim,” “Manzaralar,” “Goal,” “Siyah,” “Guzel Kizlar Patron Dinler,” ” Benden Bu Kadar,” can not be ignored.
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10. Anıl Piyancı
Anıl Piyancı first emerged on the Turkish rap scene in the late 2000s when he started releasing music on various online platforms. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to perfect his craft, resulting in a significant following both locally and internationally. He would debut in 2010 with the project Popüler Konvoy. This started a long list of releases, including 2022’s 12 and 2023’s 23, both released under Sony Music.
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11. Şehinşah
Prominent Turkish rapper, songwriter, and producer Şehinşah began his music career at a young age and quickly gained recognition in the landscape of Turkey’s hip-hop scene. Debuting during the late 2000s, Şehinşah began to make a name for himself starting in 2012 with the project Denetimli Serbestlik Stili, which featured the song “Marsli Kadin.” Since then, he has released several successful singles and albums, like DEEV and 666, that have garnered millions of views on various streaming platforms.
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12. Contra
Contra started his journey in the world of hip-hop in the early 2000s and marked his debut with the album Zaman Alevi in 2006. He gained immense popularity with his hit songs such as “ıslak kum,” “Kibir,” “Ölü,” “Tehlikeli,” “Çivi,” and “Efsane.” Contra also collaborated with several of Turkey’s top artists and released a few solo albums, ultimately contributing to the Turkish hip hop scene with his unique style.
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13. Velet
Velet’s life has been a mix of highs and lows. He was born in London and had a stint in prison before returning to Turkey. After finding his calling in hip-hop, he would later produced hits such as “Çatla,” “Aşk Sadece Anlayana,” and “Sarıl Bana.” While originally making his debut in 2017 with the song “Beyin Lazim,” Velet has quickly become one of the top rising Turkish rappers.
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14. Massaka
Massaka is considered one of the pioneers of Gangster rap in Turkey, making his debut in the 2000s with his first project, Blutbeton, released in 2007. He has been an active member of the Turkish hip hop scene for over 15 years, consistently releasing hits like “Katliam 2,” “Katliam 3,” “Saray,” “Katliam 4,” and “Fight Kulup.” Massaka has also collaborated with international hip-hop stars such as The Game and 6ix9ine while maintaining his consistency with over 5 albums.
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15. Ati242
Ati242 emerged in 2018 with “Yolu Yok” and quickly established himself as a rising star in Turkish hip-hop. His noteworthy contributions include “25,” “Inzaghi,” “Kural,” “Festival,” and “KHRBR,” in addition to his breakout track. Despite having only one album, Dipsomania, to his credit, he making a significant impact in the industry.
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16. Hidra
Turkish hip hop artist Hidra gained popularity with his hit songs like “Ölüme İnat,” “Beddua,” “Nabiz,” and “Gibi.” He started his music journey in 2012 with the album 08-13 and has been consistently growing in the industry. Hidra’s discography includes albums like Hedefte (2013), Yenilmez (2013), Holigan (2014), Hoş Geldin Dünya Senin Evin (2016), Yarim Kalan (2017), and C-137.
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17. Eypio
Eypio started his music career in the Netherlands during the early 2000s under the name APO. After spending some time there, he returned to Turkey to pursue his passion. In 2006, he released his first album titled Rap Fabriek, which marked the beginning of a successful journey. Since then, he has released over 8 albums and EPs.
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18. Diyar Pala
Diyar Pala, a seasoned rapper, has added a distinctive flavor to the Turkish hip-hop industry. With a collection of melodies and lyrical bars, this versatile and innovative artist first introduced himself to the audience in 2007 by releasing Yeni Bir Flow. Some of his most popular songs include “Uzak Ol,” “Bensiz Yapama,” “Şerefsiz,” “Pompalamasyon,” and “Anla.”
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19. Ozbi
Ozbi entered the music industry in 2014, with his first album titled Halk Edebiyatı. He has gained immense popularity among Turkish hip hop listeners by blending pop and rap music genres in a unique way. Some of his famous songs include “Hadi Gittik,” “Olmazlara Yandım,” “O bi Karamel,” and “Geceyi Anlatmis”. Additionally, he has released a number of albums since his debut, such as Rakılı Live 1 Seri, Rakılı Live 2 Seri, Serserilik ve Şiir, and Rakılı Live 3 Seri.
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20. Rota
Rapper, athlete, and businessman Rota began his career in music in 2013 with his first song “Stable.” After taking a break for a few years, he returned to the music scene with his hit song “Last Time” in 2017. He has released two albums, Senkronik and Nova, and has produced several noteworthy tracks such as “Iyi Uykular Peder,” “Son Kez,” “Sleep Well Father,” “Zirve,” among others.
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21. Aspova
Aspova has been demonstrating his versatility in the Turkish music scene for years by blending R&B and hip-hop. He began practicing music in his teenage years and released “Cumartesi,” one of his initial songs, in 2016. Aspova has released several albums, including Geer Pislik in 2018 and Ciglik Senfonisi 1 in 2022. His most popular songs include “Eskimiş Senelere,” “Sağanak,” and “Suç.”
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22. Stabil
Stabil made its debut in the music industry in 2012 and gained considerable recognition for its popular songs such as “Reenkarne,” “Ben Kimim,” “Serseri Bey,” “O,” and “Varosh.” The band also released several albums including the self-titled ‘Stabil’ in 2012, ‘OKSMRN1’ in 2021, and ‘OKSMRN2’ in 2022.
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23. Khontkar
Khontkar developed an interest in music at a young age and started his career in the late 2000s. He released several mixtapes during the early and mid-2010s, including ChoppaLand Vol. 1 and 2. Despite the competitive nature of Turkey’s hip hop scene, Khontkar has been consistently active for over a decade, releasing multiple albums, Nobodi (2015), 100 (2018), PLA4 (2021).
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24. Ceg
Ceg made his debut in the music industry in 2018 with the release of “Bu Gece”. However, it was his hit track “Şampanya” that brought him the fame he deserved in 2019. He is now considered as one of the emerging Turkish rappers who represents the newer generation of Turkey’s rap scene. Ceg has released two albums so far, namely 2018’s Trapanasyon and 2020’s DMT, and his catalog is still expanding.
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25. Zen-G
Zen-G is a fresh addition to Turkey’s rap scene, having made his debut in 2019 with “ABiS.” Despite being a new artist with only one album, 2021’s ZENGBEJ, he has already released several of Turkey’s most popular hip-hop tracks, including “Alev Alev,” “Delale,” and “Istanbul.” Zen-G is gradually gaining popularity and is expected to become a prominent figure in the Turkish rap scene.
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Honorable Mention Turkish Rappers:
– Tepki Youtube: Tepki and Instagram: @Tepki
– Allame Youtube: Allame and Instagram: @Allame
– Elanur Youtube: Elanur and Instagram: @Elanur
– Killa Hakan Youtube: Killa Hakan and Instagram: @Killa Hakan
– Xir Youtube: Xir and Instagram: @Xir
– Tankurt Manas Youtube: Tankurt Manas and Instagram: @Tankurt Manas
– Rozz Kalliope Youtube: Rozz Kalliope and Instagram: @Rozz Kalliope
– Sokrat St Youtube: Sokrat St and Instagram: @Sokrat St
– Sansar Salvo Youtube: Sansar Salvo and Instagram: @Sansar Salvo
– Defkhan Youtube: Defkhan and Instagram: @Defkhan
– Yase Youtube: Yase and Instagram: @Yase
– Keisan Youtube: Keisan and Instagram: @Keisan
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3 Top 40 German Rappers List
4 Top 30 New York City Rappers List
4 Top Greece Rappers List
*Unofficial Order. The more popular artists that have a combination of the most followers, streams, views, and most recent releases are near the top.
*If any artists are missing or anything related, leave a comment.