Written by: Lisa Chang

smail YK: The Turkish Arabesque Sensation

smail YK, born on July 5, 1978, in Hamm, Germany, is a renowned Turkish Arabesque and pop singer, known for his soulful voice and chart-topping albums.

Rise to Fame

YK, which stands for Yurtseven Kardeler, the siblings group he was a part of at the start of his career, has been a household name in Turkey since the early 2000s. His debut solo album, appur uppur, released in 2004, sold an astonishing 1.2 million copies, cementing his position as a leading artist in the Turkish music industry.

Chart-Topping Albums

• Bombabomba.com (2006) - sold over 600,000 copies, making it the best-selling Turkish album of the year
• Bas Gaza (2008) - sold 450,000 copies

Awards and Accolades

smail YK has won numerous awards, including the prestigious title of Best Turkish Arabesque/Fantasy singer, which he won consecutively in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Philosophical Contributions and Beliefs

YK is known for his thought-provoking music videos, which often convey messages of social responsibility and self-reflection. In his 2015 music video for Allah Belan Versin Rock Versiyon, he deliberately damaged a Ferrari F430 car to convey the message that it's better to cause damage to materialistic things rather than hurting others.

Television Career

smail YK has also made a name for himself in the world of television, hosting popular shows such as enakrakShow and YK Show on KanalTürk television channel from 2008 to 2012, alongside co-host Aysun Kayac.

Discography

• Albums:
  • Albm Solo (2002)
  • appur uppur (2004)
  • Bombabomba.com (2006)
  • Bas Gaza (2008)
  • Haydi Bastr (2009)
  • Psikopat (2011)
  • Metropol (2012)
  • Kyamet (2015)
  • Tansiyon (2018)
• Singles:
  • Doum Gnn Haram Olsun (2014)
  • Ah Leylim (2015)
  • Allah Belan Versin Rock Versiyon (2016)
  • Hep Seninle Olmak

With a career spanning over two decades, smail YK has left an indelible mark on the Turkish music industry, inspiring generations of musicians and fans alike with his soulful voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and captivating performances.