Turkish music roundup: Buray, Aslı Demirer, Çakal return

Turkish pop singer Buray took the stage in Ahlat as part of events marking the 955th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt), performing some of his most popular songs to a packed crowd.

Buray performed at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ahlat National Garden in the eastern province of Bitlis, treating audiences to a night of music with his energetic performance and broad repertoire. Fans filled the venue and sang along to his well-known songs throughout the concert.

Following the performance, crowds gathered outside Seljuk Bazaar and marched toward the Ulu Mosque (Grand Mosque) carrying Turkish flags and torches. The procession was accompanied by mounted units, a mehter band, gendarmerie forces and motorcycle police officers, bringing the spirit of the Manzikert Victory to life once again.

Ahlat Mayor Yavuz Gülmez highlighted the district’s historic importance in a speech, describing Ahlat as “the first gate to Anatolia” and “the title deed of Türkiye,” while emphasizing unity and solidarity. Abdurrahman Dövücü, deputy chairperson of the Okçular Foundation, also thanked those who attended the celebrations and contributed to organizing the events.

Before the celebrations, Buray met with his close friend Özcan Ertaş. The program continued the following day with the Police Band performing at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ahlat National Garden, where its repertoire of patriotic marches added to the festive atmosphere.

Malazgirt celebrations continue

The Manzikert leg of the celebrations will continue with an extensive program in Muş province.

The Malazgirt Battlefield Historical National Park, established across 238 hectares in Malazgirt district, features a 1,071-step Conquest Path, ceremonial and speaking areas, an open-air prayer area, walking and recreation spaces, a hippodrome, archery and javelin areas, and a wrestling field.

The program will feature traditional sports demonstrations, mounted archery, mounted javelin, traditional mounted martial arts and wrestling competitions, alongside a range of cultural and sporting activities.

Aslı Demirer returns

Turkish pop singer Aslı Demirer reunited with her listeners on Aug. 21 with her new single, “Durur Bütün Dünya,” following a two-year break.

Written and composed by Demirer, the song stands out with its strong musical lineup and unconventional visual concept.

Turkish pop singer Aslı Demirer. (Photo courtesy of Hakan Uç)

The arrangement of “Durur Bütün Dünya,” which combines an innovative pop sound with a rich production, was created through a collaboration between acclaimed musicians Gürsel Çelik, Ahmet Kalabay and Derin Bayhan.

The trio’s collaboration gives the song an energetic and dynamic character, adding further depth to Demirer’s latest work.

The music video transforms the song’s story into a striking visual experience while offering a bold critique of contemporary beauty standards.

Inspired by the “Dollcore” aesthetic and the visual language of the “Plastic Dream Sequence,” the video features Demirer transforming into a plastic doll as she performs the song.

The doll serves as a visual representation of the homogenization created by today’s beauty standards, turning the video into more than a simple accompaniment to the song.

Çakal, Mavi reunite

Turkish rappers Çakal and Mavi have reunited years after their previous collaboration for “Gezegenler Birleşir,” combining their longstanding musical chemistry with a cinematic music video and ambitious production.

Not every collaboration in Turkish rap is simply about bringing two popular names together on the same track. Some have a history and a natural chemistry behind them. “Gezegenler Birleşir,” recently released by Çakal and Mavi, belongs to the latter category.

Turkish rapper Çakal. (Photo courtesy of Hakan Uç)

The two artists are not strangers who happened to meet in a studio. They previously worked together on “Gözler,” where they demonstrated their musical chemistry. Years later, their paths have crossed again.

Although the song is titled “Gezegenler Birleşir,” or “Planets Unite,” it is really about two musical worlds that have known each other for years returning to the same orbit.

The track was written by Emirhan Çakal and Mavi Solman, with production by Osmancello and Öte. Arda Uzunboy handled the vocal FX, while Celil Yavuz was responsible for mixing and mastering. The production brought together a large team, with each member contributing to the song’s overall atmosphere.

The music video is another element that sets the project apart. Directed by Burak Kılıçkaya, the video moves well beyond the occasional approach in Turkish rap of simply adding visuals to a finished song. Instead, it presents a carefully constructed production with a cinematic quality and a distinct visual language.

Behind-the-scenes footage released alongside the video offers a glimpse into how that world was created. From the set design and lighting to the shooting plans and the pace of the crew, the footage makes clear that the video’s polished appearance was the result of extensive preparation and production work.

Turkish rap is no longer competing solely through high streaming numbers on digital platforms. The visuals, image and storytelling surrounding a song are increasingly expected to compete on an international level as well.

In this sense, “Gezegenler Birleşir” demonstrates how the standards of Turkish rap are evolving.

Two old friends have found their way back to one another after years apart. Some musical orbits may drift away from each other, but when the time is right, they can cross paths again.

DAILYSABAH