Melike Şahin

(ENG) Melike Şahin, the modern "Turkish Diva," is a shining gem from Istanbul. A captivating singer, songwriter, and composer, she seamlessly blends contemporary and traditional music, navigating across Anatolian pop and Middle Eastern sounds. Since the outset of her solo career in 2017, her songs have garnered millions of streams, quickly building a solid and rapidly growing audience. Before going solo, Şahin began her artistic journey as the lead singer of the renowned Turkish psychedelic band BaBa ZuLa, performing across five continents and over 40 countries in the early 2010s. In 2021, Şahin released her much-anticipated debut album, Merhem. Known for her passionate vocal delivery, poignant lyrics, and captivating stage presence, Şahin's songs embody raw emotion, heartfelt honesty, and resilience, deeply influenced by her own experiences as a woman. Resonating strongly with her audience, her lyrics quickly became feminist anthems in Turkey, and are chanted in unison at women's rallies. Şahin also uses her voice to support women in Turkey, emphasising themes of resilience and empowerment with phrases like "I deserve every inch of this proud smile" and "No way I'd break down, see I got back on my feet again." Melike Şahin continues to work tirelessly, engaging in global collaborations. She is currently preparing to release her second studio album, AKKOR, produced by Grammy-winning Swedish producer Martin Terefe.