The birth of Turkish rap can be traced to the mid-1990s when a group of German-Turkish rappers called Cartel, whose sound was deemed exotic by their native music press, gained some notoriety.
While the arrival of hip hop in Turkey may have come as a surprise to some, it’s actually quite typical in the broader context of the development of the genre in Western Europe. The influx of Turkish citizens into Germany, as well as the United States, brought with them a new generation of rappers who found an outlet for their feelings by taking to the mic.
There are two main unofficial subgenres of Turkish hip-hop: Emotional rap and Battle rap. The former tend to be more contemplative and often feature arabesque influences, a popular Turkish music style heavily informed by Arabic/Middle Eastern sounds.
On the other hand, Battle rap can be more aggressive, featuring a hefty dose of hard-hitting rhymes and percussion modeled after the American gangsta rap sounds of the ’90s. There are several notable figureheads in this sector, including Fecr-i Ati and Saian.
Another promising artist in this genre is MC Zeval, who takes inspiration from her Turkish and Western heritages to produce her own style of hip-hop. Her songs are infused with various influences, from the swagger-laden raps of MC Lyte and Lady Leshurr to the more tweaked-hip-hop dynamics of alternative R&B artists like Kissey Asplund.
In recent years, Turkish rappers have been increasingly using their music to express political viewpoints on a range of issues. From women’s rights to the country’s stance on Syria, their work is a powerful testament to the potential of rap as a medium for activism.
