Eşref Ziya Terzi was born on July 20, 1969, in Istanbul. Originally from Bayburt on his father's side, Terzi is married and has three children. He began his education at Sarıyer İmam Hatip High School and graduated in 1988. That same year, he was admitted to the Faculty of Theology at Marmara University, from which he successfully graduated. With a career spanning music, writing, cinema, and media, Terzi has left a lasting impact on the world of art and thought.

The Beginning and Development of His Music Career

Although Terzi initially kept his distance from music, he was introduced to the studio environment through the encouragement of Dr. Ramazan Uçar. His first steps in the music industry came when he performed two pieces in the radio drama Alim ve Tağut. In 1991, he released his album Kalksam ve Dirilsem, which became a turning point in his career and garnered significant attention from a wide audience. This work is considered an important reflection of Terzi's musical philosophy and emotional depth.

Over his 30-year music career, Terzi has released more than 15 albums and contributed as a producer, composer, or performer to over 100 albums. His works, influenced by the social and political atmosphere of the time, conveyed messages of hope, resilience, and solidarity to his listeners. His song Ağlama Karanfil, written during the February 28 process, became an anthem symbolizing the struggles of students who were denied access to schools due to the headscarf ban.

Media and Broadcasting Activities

Beyond music, Eşref Ziya Terzi has also been influential in the media sector. In 1993, he co-founded Marmara FM with his friends, turning it into one of the leading intellectual platforms of its time. However, during the February 28 process, Marmara FM frequently faced broadcast bans, including a one-month suspension due to a particular song. Despite these pressures, Terzi continued his artistic production and took ownership of Marmara Müzik in 1995. Over the past 30 years, Marmara Müzik has introduced numerous valuable artists to the Turkish music and intellectual world, maintaining a vision centered on staying true to its values.

Cinema and Television Works

Terzi made his debut in the film industry with The İmam in 2005. In 2022, he hosted the Qur'an Recitation Competition on TRT, further expanding his presence on television. In 2024, he took on multiple roles—story writer, scriptwriter, producer, and lead actor—in the film Yeniden Başlamak.

Writing and Literary Works

Terzi began his writing career in 2017 with the publication of Hiçlerden Bir Hiç, a book where he expressed his thoughts and emotions on a literary platform.

The February 28 Process and Years of Struggle

During the February 28 postmodern coup period, Terzi played a significant role as an artist. Many of his concerts were canceled, he faced police interrogations, and he was prosecuted for "inciting hatred and enmity among the people." After a concert in Bursa, he received a nearly two-year prison sentence under Article 311, which was later suspended. However, he endured serious pressure during this period. He recalls feeling uneasy when seeing white Toros cars, fearing for his safety. Despite these hardships, he insists, "We were never against the state," emphasizing that they never resorted to violence or vandalism. To him, the process was a temporary injustice that would eventually end, and he continued his work with this belief.

Through songs like Ağlama Karanfil and Beyazıt Meydanında, Terzi artistically captured the suffering of that era. He actively participated in events like Inanca Saygı, Düşünceye Özgürlük İçin Bütün Türkiye Elele (Respect for Belief, Freedom for Thought: All of Turkey Hand in Hand) and the White Walk, which culminated in people holding hands across the Bosphorus Bridge. He also supported these movements through morale-boosting concerts for his community. "We always had hope that oppression would one day end," he says, adding that today’s Turkey, where education can be pursued freely, is the result of that struggle.

Artistic Philosophy

Eşref Ziya Terzi sees art as a vehicle for delivering messages. "I have something to say, and I say it through music," he explains, comparing his songs to messages in bottles cast into the sea, unsure of whose shore they will reach. In his view, music’s power lies in its ability to touch people's lives unexpectedly.

Terzi continues to produce new works, sharing them on Marmara Müzik’s YouTube channel. He encourages artists to prioritize emotions over ideology and to deliver positive messages to society with wisdom.

Discography

Albums

1990 - Elbet Sorulur
1991 - Kalksam ve Dirilsem
1991 - Uyan Artık
1992 - Muhabbet Eriyiz
1992 - Dayan Mücahidim
1992 - Bir Güneş Doğuyor 1
1993 - Bir Güneş Doğuyor 2
1993 - İnfilak
1995 - Özgürlüğün Gölgesinde
1997 - Hasret Gülleri
1999 - Sen Ağlama
2000 - Olmadı Dost
2001 - Klasikler 1
2002 - Beyaz Bir Ölüm
2003 - Klasikler 2
2006 - Yol Boyunca
2007 - Klasikler 3
2008 - Ölüm Aşkımın Adı Olsun
2011 - Kan Gibi
2013 - Aşkın Gözyaşları

Singles

2014 - Asker Duası
2017 - Karanlık Sevmiyor
2019 - IGMG Marşı
2019 - Susma Kalbim
2019 - Asımın Nesli
2020 - Medine Müdafaası
2024 - Sessiz Olma (Duet)
2025 - Bir Güneş Doğuyor

Still the owner of Marmara Müzik, Eşref Ziya Terzi remains active in his artistic career. "As long as the world keeps turning, our words will never run out," he says, maintaining his motivation for artistic production.