Sertab Erener (read Turkish version here | listen to music samples)
Introduction
Sertab Erener, one of the rare voices that blends the technical discipline of classical music with pop's free spirit, has firmly established her place among the most colorful figures in Turkish music history. Establishing a strong vocal foundation with the opera education she received at the Istanbul State Conservatory, Erener, who also benefited from Sezen Aksu's support on the path where she started her career with her first studio album, became the rising star of 90s Turkish pop. Not only as a pop singer, but also by being productive in different genres such as jazz, rock, and Turkish Art Music, Erener pushed the boundaries of music. She announced her name on the international arena by winning the first victory for Turkey on this stage with the song "Everyway That I Can" in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest. The artist, who showed a versatile career from the rock project she established with Emre Kula to the artistic collaborations she developed with Demir Demirkan, established a lasting bond with her audience as the owner of classic tracks such as "Lâ'l", "Aşk Ölmez" and "Sertab Gibi". Starting her musical journey with the solid steps she took in 1992 and sensing the pulse of every era over the years, Erener continues to be part of our music culture as one of the voices that reflects Turkey's music identity to the world in the strongest way.
Biography
Born in Istanbul on December 4, 1964, Sertab Erener established a strong foundation for her music career with classical music education. The name story in the artist's life reflects her family's connection to art; her father, Nizamettin Erener, gave her the name Sertab because he loved the song "Ey Şûh-i Sertab". Her mother, Yücel Erener, is an artist who received art education at the Academy of Fine Arts. When Erener began her musical journey, she also struggled with health difficulties; due to the ulcerative colitis disease she contracted at the age of 11, she had to undergo surgery three times in the US between 1993 and 1994.
Erener began her music career in the 1990s with the support of Sezen Aksu, making a big breakthrough in the music market with her first studio album "Sakin Ol" released in 1992. This initiative was supported by the Rising Female Singer of the Year award given to her by Hey Girl Magazine in 1993, and she consolidated her position as the rising pop star of the 90s by winning the Best Female Pop Artist award at the 1995 Kral TV Video Music Awards. During this period, the artist known by wide audiences in Turkey with albums "Lâ'l" (1994), "Sertab Gibi" (1997) and "Sertab Erener" (1999) also appeared in the film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1996 as the voice actor of the character Esmeralda.
The biggest turning point in the artist's career occurred in 2003. Representing Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Everyway That I Can", Erener achieved first place in the competition and won the first victory for Turkey in the history of this competition. Following this victory, she drew attention on the international music stage with her 2003 album "No Boundaries" and displayed a successful career. Focusing on the pop music genre, Erener stands out as a versatile musician with the ability to produce works in a wide range including Pop, Turkish Art Music, Opera, Jazz and Rock.
Renewing her name in the music world with the "Turuncu" (2000/2001) album in the early 2000s, the artist continued her productivity with albums "Aşk Ölmez" in 2005, "Sertab Goes To The Club" in 2007, "Açık Adres" in 2009, "Rengârenk" in 2010, "Sade" in 2013, "Kırık Kalpler Albümü" in 2016, "Ben Yaşarım" in 2020, "İyiliğe Ninniler" in 2022 and "Her Dem Yeşil" in 2023. In 2009, Erener developed the "Painted On Water" project with Demir Demirkan and touched upon rock music by establishing the rock group "Oceans of Noise" together with her husband Emre Kula. Possessing countless local and international music awards, Erener has remained an important figure in Turkish pop culture with her long and successful series from 1992 to 2023, as the artist who won the first victory in Eurovision history for Turkey.
Style
Sertab Erener's musical stance is defined primarily by vocal ability based on a strong technical foundation. Her classical music and opera education received at the Istanbul State Conservatory gave her voice both depth and flexibility. This disciplined past has become the most distinct feature distinguishing the interpretations she exhibits in the pop music genre from ordinary pop vocals. Mixing different genres such as Turkish Art Music, Jazz, Rock and Pop throughout her repertoire, Erener has created her own sound world.
Starting her music career with her first album released in 1992, Erener grasped the intricacies of music with the support of Sezen Aksu; with works such as "Sakin Ol" and "Lâ'l", she signed the 1990s period of Turkish pop music. As her style shifted to the international arena over time, she developed a universal language combining rock and pop elements with the song "Everyway That I Can" she performed in the Eurovision Song Contest. In addition, projects prepared jointly with Demir Demirkan and the works in the "Oceans of Noise" group established with Emre Kula have strengthened the rock direction and versatility in her musical personality.
In her emotional world, themes of love, female identity and free will stand out. Reflecting the emotional intensity and resistance of the woman with songs like "Zor Kadın", "Aşk Ölmez" and "Sertab Gibi", she demonstrated a more liberated narration in her periodical works. Sertab Erener's style, combining the sensitivity brought by academic music education with the dynamism of popular music, has left a multi-layered mark on Turkish music history both on a local and global scale.
Songs and Standout Recordings
Sertab Erener, who made a big breakthrough with her first studio album "Sakin Ol" published in 1992, settled into the listeners' memories with the song of the same name. In the atmosphere of Turkish pop music of the 1990s, works such as "Lâ'l", "Sertab Gibi" and "Zor Kadın" became the cornerstones highlighting the artist's strong vocalization and style. Especially the titles "Aldırma Deli Gönlüm" and "Olsun" are accepted as important parts of the popular repertoire of that period.
One of the most distinct breaking points in her career coincides with the year 2003. The first place she won for Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Everyway That I Can" is not only a competition victory but also the beginning of a musical transformation supported by recordings like "Here I Am" on the international arena. The album "No Boundaries" published during this process serves as an example of works transcending the limits of Turkish pop music.
The 2005 album "Aşk Ölmez" proved that she maintained a strong presence in the mid-2000s with the song bearing its name. These songs, included in her discography varying in genres such as Pop, Turkish Art Music, Jazz and Rock, reflect Erener's ability to blend classical music foundation with modern pop understanding. Over the years, songs matching album titles such as "Sakin Ol", "Lâ'l" and "Aşk Ölmez" continue to remain as reference points carrying the musical codes of both the artist and the period.
Context
Sertab Erener signed one of the most important turning points in Turkish music history by representing Turkey in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest and winning first place with the song "Everyway That I Can". This victory created the beginning of successive international successes in the competition history of Turkey. Erener, who made a big breakthrough with her first studio album "Sakin Ol" published in 1992, established her career with the support of Sezen Aksu in the 1990s and became one of the prominent names of the Turkish Pop Music movement of the period. The classical music education she received at the Istanbul State Conservatory and the strong vocal technique coming from the opera discipline allowed the artist to produce works not only limited to pop music but also in genres such as Turkish Art Music, Jazz and Rock. Erener, who confirmed her success on the international stage with the "No Boundaries" album published in 2003, continued her versatile career journey including collaborations like the "Painted On Water" project with Demir Demirkan and establishing the "Oceans of Noise" rock group with Emre Kula. With publications such as "Aşk Ölmez", "Lâ'l", "Turuncu" and "Kırık Kalpler Albümü", the artist reaching a wide audience from the 1990s to the 2020s maintains her place as a figure known on both local and global scales in Turkey's music culture.
Legacy
Sertab Erener is one of the rare figures marked by technical foundation and international success, leaving her mark on the last thirty years of Turkish popular music. Representing Turkey in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest and winning the first victory in this competition has left an indelible mark in the national memory and is remembered as the most critical turning point of her career. This success created a historical breaking point strengthening the presence of Turkish pop music on European and world stages, becoming the most distinct example of how a local artist positions themselves with a global image.
The journey of the artist who stepped into her music career with the "Sakin Ol" album released in 1992 developed in parallel with the rise of 90s Turkish Pop, and the musical foundations were laid with the support of Sezen Aksu. The classical music and opera education she received at the Istanbul State Conservatory, the technical discipline and strong interpretation character added to pop vocal performances, removed her from being just a period artist and made her have a career listenable for generations. With albums like "Lâ'l", "Sertab Gibi" and "Aşk Ölmez", she managed to become the focus of both local music listeners and international audiences.
Not being limited to just pop music throughout her career, but also touching upon genres such as jazz, rock and Turkish Art Music, Erener brought herself to a versatile musician position. Initiatives like collaborations with Demir Demirkan and the rock group "Oceans of Noise" showed the artist's will to push musical boundaries. The long-term discography published in the process from 1992 to 2023 is considered one of the most consistent and longest-lived careers in Turkey. Sertab Erener has solidified her place among the iconic figures of Turkish music history with the power of her voice and musical stance from "Everyway That I Can" to this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did she start her career and what is her first studio album? Sertab Erener began her music career with a big breakthrough by releasing her first studio album "Sakin Ol" in 1992.
What is her success in the Eurovision Song Contest? In 2003, she achieved first place in the competition with the song "Everyway That I Can", winning the first victory for Turkey in the history of Eurovision.
Can information be given about her musical education and style? She established a strong vocal foundation with her opera and classical music education received at the Istanbul State Conservatory. She displays a versatile musical stance by blending genres such as Pop, Turkish Art Music, Jazz and Rock.
What is known about the story of her name and health status? Her father Nizamettin Erener gave her this name because he loved the song "Ey Şûh-i Sertab". Also, due to the ulcerative colitis disease she contracted at the age of 11, she had to undergo surgery three times in the US between 1993 and 1994.
What are the groups or collaborations she established? She developed the "Painted On Water" project with Demir Demirkan and established the rock group "Oceans of Noise" together with her husband Emre Kula.
What are the standout songs and albums in her career? "Lâ'l", "Aşk Ölmez", "Sertab Gibi", "Zor Kadın", "Sakin Ol" and the "No Boundaries" album are among the classicized tracks that established a long-term bond with her audience.