--- title: Sezen Aksu slug: sezen-aksu-dca69 url: /detay/sezen-aksu-dca69 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Sezen Aksu type: biography categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: Music slug: muzik url: /kategori/muzik tags: - Turkish Music - Cultural Impact - productivity - Sezen Aksu - !!! albums author: Ayşe Aslıhan Yoran created_at: 2026-07-14T18:04:37.237921+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-14T18:04:37.237921+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/13/SkehByAK7ugAlIs8H49VAkyh2N2EkzKv.jpg --- # Sezen Aksu > Sezen Aksu (born 13 July 1954 in Denizli) is one of the most important figures in Turkish pop music and is also known as 'Minik Serçe' ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Sezen Aksu ![sezenaksu.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/13/6M5PRCtPaKzIa1uPcjuEfjpzAxkrjhbs.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Child | Mithat Can Özer | | Date of birth | 1954-07-13 | | Mother | Şehriban Hanım | | Father | Sami Yıldırım Bey | ## Article Content **Sezen Aksu,** born as **Fatma Sezen Yıldırım**, is one of the most important figures in [Turk](/en/detay/turk/llms.txt) music, born on [July](/en/detay/temmuz-748429/llms.txt) 13, 1954, in the village of Sarayköy, Denizli. Known as *"Minik Serçe"*, Aksu is among the pioneers of popular music in Türkiye, and the works she has brought to the music world form a vital part of her artistic legacy. Recognized both as a singer and a [lyricist](/en/detay/soz/llms.txt), [Sezen Aksu](/en/detay/sezen-aksu-a1ba6/llms.txt) has played a pivotal role in the evolution of music in Türkiye and has contributed significantly to the development of many young artists. ### **Childhood and Education** Known in the media as "*Minik Serçe*", Sezen Aksu is the daughter of a mother who migrated from Thessaloniki to Türkiye and a father from the village of Pazarlı in Rize. She was born on July 13, 1954, in the district of Sarayköy, Denizli. When she was three years old, her family moved to **İzmir**, where she began her education. After completing İzmir Girls’ High School, she enrolled at the Faculty of Agriculture at Ege University but left her studies midway during her second year. Sezen Aksu’s interest in music dates back to her childhood. From an early age, she began singing and, with her family’s support, enrolled at the Istanbul Conservatory. Aksu completed her musical education there and, after honing her talents, took her first steps into professional music. Her conservatory years coincided with the strengthening of her musical foundation. ### **Beginning of Her Career** In the early stages of her music career, Sezen Aksu released her first single, "*Haydi Şansım/Gel Bana*", under the name "*Sezen Seley*" in 1975. However, she was not widely recognized until 1976, when her single "*Olmaz Olsun/Vurdumduymaz*" reached number one on Türkiye’s music charts and achieved major success. That same year, Aksu won the award for "*Woman Artist of the Year*", marking her official entry into the music industry. Her first album, "*Allahaısmarladık*", was released in 1977. This album included not only her previous singles but also new songs such as "*Uzun Lafın Kısası*" and "*Gözlerindeki Bulut*". The album was released in 33 rpm format and took its name from her earlier single "*Allahaısmarladık/Kaç Yıl Geçti Aradan*". In the mid-1970s, Sezen Aksu attempted to represent Türkiye at the Eurovision Song Contest. Although she participated three times—in a duet with Özdemir Erdoğan titled "*Küçük Bir Aşk Masalı*", in a performance with Coşkun Demir and Ali Kocatepe titled "*Heyamola*", and as a solo artist with "*1945*"—she never won the opportunity to represent Türkiye abroad. Her dream of winning Eurovision and bringing her musical vision to [Europe](/en/detay/avrupa-2/llms.txt) was ultimately realized by her student **Sertab Erener**. Her 1976 album "*Kusura Bakma*** **marked a turning point in the evolution of Turkish pop music. This album was a crucial step in her rise to popularity, as it earned her a broad audience. ### **Musical Style and Works** Sezen Aksu is an artist who has produced works across many genres of Turkish music, singing songs ranging from pop to [folk](/en/detay/halk-2/llms.txt) music and even arabesque. Her songs commonly explore themes such as [love](/en/detay/ask-3/llms.txt), life, [melancholy](/en/detay/huzun/llms.txt), and social events. In the early 1980s, Aksu expanded her musical style and experimented with different genres. Her albums "*Ağlamak Güzeldir*" (1981) and "*Firuze*" (1982) became among the most listened-to works of the era. In particular, the song "*Firuze*" from the album of the same name received widespread acclaim. Other important works from this period include the albums "*Sen Ağlama*" (1984) and "*Git*" (1986). "*Sultan Süleyman*" (1988) is also one of the hit songs from this period. In the early 1990s, Aksu turned toward more mature and profound themes in her music. Her albums "*Gülümse*" (1991) and "*Deli Kızın Türküsü*" (1993) received positive critical reviews and achieved commercial success. Songs such as "*Hadi Bakalım*" (1991) and "*Masum Değiliz*" (1993) became among the most beloved tracks of the decade. In 2000, with the album "*Deliveren*", Aksu explored a new sound and gained praise with songs such as "*Söz Vermiştim*". In 2002, she released the album "*Şarkı Söylemek Lazım*", producing hit songs like "*Şarkı Söylemek Lazım*" and "*Gitme*". In her 2003 album "*Yaz Bitmeden*", she drew attention with the songs "[Yaz](/en/detay/yaz-3/llms.txt) Bitmeden" and "Beni Anlama". ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/13/xFgTwUhcwKQhonhS76NWscaN1YM8czYV.jpg) *Sezen Aksu, Kuruçeşme Arena Concert, 2006. (YouTube)* In 2014, Aksu released the album "*İmza*", achieving great success with tracks such as "*İmza*" and "*Beni Unutma*". The album stood out for its distinct lyrical approach and musical diversity. That same year, she also released the album "*Yaz Günü*". In 2016, Aksu released the album "*Benim Şarkılarım*", which featured songs from both her past and present. With tracks such as "*Aşk*" and "*Geri Dön*", she once again captured public attention. *“Gülümse”, “Tükeneceğiz", "Tutuklu", "Begonvil"*** **are among the classic songs of Turkish music. Moreover, Aksu’s songs are often linked to social events and reflect the political and cultural atmosphere of their time. **She has released nine 45 rpm singles, eight singles, and twenty-five albums. **Her songs have earned widespread admiration across various segments of Turkish society and have cultivated a loyal fan base. Today, she continues to produce singles and albums. ### **Notable Mentorship and Production Career** One of Sezen Aksu’s most significant contributions has been introducing new voices to Turkish music. She discovered and mentored numerous young artists, playing a crucial role in shaping their careers. Notably, artists such as **Sertab Erener, Harun Kolçak, Aşkın Nur Yengi, Levent Yüksel, Işın Karaca, Hande Yener, and Yıldız Tilbe** were guided and profoundly influenced by Aksu. In the 1990s, Aksu hosted the television program "*Sezen Aksu Show*" on Kanal 6, gaining recognition in the television world. She also produced the album "*Sevgiliye*" for vocalist **Aşkın Nur Yengi**, which achieved sales of one million copies. In 1991, Aksu produced Aşkın Nur Yengi’s album "*Hesap Ver*", which, like her debut, achieved high sales. That same year, the album "*Gülümse*", with musical direction by **Onno Tunç**, became a major success, surpassing two million sales. In 1992, Sezen Aksu worked with vocalist **Sertab Erener** to release Erener’s debut album "*Sakin Ol*". The album exceeded expectations in sales. Additionally, in 1993, she collaborated with **Levent Yüksel** to release the album "*Med-Cezir*", which achieved high sales and established [Levent Yüksel](/en/detay/levent-yuksel-372e4/llms.txt) as one of the most recognized artists of the 1990s. In the same year, Aksu released her own album "*Deli Kızın Türküsü*". On this album, she collaborated with **Uzay Heparı**, experimented with different musical styles, and produced popular songs such as "*Küçüğüm*" and "*Masum Değiliz*". However, in 1994, a [tragic](/en/detay/trajik/llms.txt) event marked one of the most difficult periods of Aksu’s music career. **Uzay Heparı, with whom she had been working on the album, died in a traffic accident.** Following this [event](/en/detay/olay/llms.txt), Aksu composed a song titled "*Yas*" in his memory, but instead of performing it herself, she included it on **Levent Yüksel’s** album. In 1995, Aksu released the album "*Işık Doğudan Yükselir*", which featured primarily [Anatolian](/en/detay/anadolu-4/llms.txt) music and included works by renowned figures such as **Yunus Emre, Mevlana, and Âşık Daimi**. In 1996, Aksu contributed vocals to Nazan Öncel’s album "*Sokak Kızı*" and appeared in the music video for Zerrin Özer’s famous song "*Paşa Gönlüm*". In 1997, she released the album "*Düğün ve Cenaze*", which, despite receiving critical acclaim, failed to meet expected sales figures. The album’s songs were composed by international musicians such as Goran **Bregović** and Kurtis Jasavev. In 1998, the single "*Erkekler*", the most notable track from the album "*Düğün ve Cenaze*", was released and attracted significant attention. That same year, Levent Yüksel’s third album "*Adı Menekşe*", produced by Aksu, was released. Aksu’s production career has led to her being recognized not only as a singer but also as a mentor and guide in the music world. ### **Awards and Social Standing** She has won over 200 awards and has been named "**Woman Artist of the Year**" multiple times. In 2005, she launched the educational campaign "*Kardelenler*", raising [awareness](/en/detay/farkindalik-a2642/llms.txt) for girls’ education. Beyond her musical career, she has actively contributed to social [responsibility](/en/detay/sorumluluk-3/llms.txt) projects and has performed numerous charity concerts. Her collaborations with **Tarkan**, resulting in international hits such as "*Şımarık*" and "*Şıkıdım*", attracted global attention. Additionally, her collaboration with **Goran Bregović** expanded Aksu’s international audience and introduced her music to diverse cultures. In 2010, being named one of "**The 50 Greatest Voices in the World**" by **NPR (National Public Radio)** further solidified her place on the global music scene. Aksu has reached a wide audience not only in Türkiye but around the world. She has performed over **1,500 concerts in more than 20 countries** and has achieved significant acclaim for her vocal performances and lyrics. Her songs have been performed by over 100 [artists](/en/detay/sanatci-2/llms.txt). To date, she has sold over 20 million albums and has authored more than 500 compositions. ### **Personal Life and Additional Information** Sezen Aksu married Hasan Yüksektepe at a young age, but the marriage ended shortly afterward. During the early years of her career, she married Ali Engin Aksu, the stage name she adopted and later used as her surname. On July 10, 1981, while pregnant with her child, she married Sinan Özer, but this marriage also ended in divorce in 1983. In 1993, she married journalist Ahmet Utlu, but this relationship was also brief and ended in divorce. In addition to her marriages, Aksu had a romantic relationship with composer **Uzay Heparı**. She has one son, **Mithat Can Özer**, from her marriage to Sinan Özer. Additionally, the asteroid **266854 Sezenaksu**, discovered in 2009, bears the artist’s name. ## Academic Sources and References 1. "Sezen Aksu Biyografi." \*Kırık Plaklar.\* Accessed March 13, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20120502225008/http://www.kirikplaklar.com/biyografiler\_detay.asp?Biyografi=13. 2. "Sezen Aksu." Biyografya.com. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.biyografya.com/tr/biographies/sezen-aksu-5d776385#google\_vignette. 3. "Sezen Aksu." Sezen Aksu Resmi Web Sitesi. Accessed March 13, 2025. http://www.sezenaksu.com.tr/tr/all\_works/biography. 4. "Sezen Aksu: The Voice of Istanbul." NPR, April 12, 2010. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2010/04/12/125787999/sezen-aksu-the-voice-of-istanbul 5. Kulin, Ayşe. "Biz Sende Tutuklu Kaldık." Metis Edebiyat: (2006.). Accessed December 15, 2006. https://www.metiskitap.com/catalog/text/61538