Selin Sümbültepe

Das sagt der/die Künstler:in:

Selin Sümbültepe was born in 1986 in Hatay in Southeastern Turkey. To date, she has released two studio albums and various singles, always working independently. Selin’s first album "Cızgan" was released in 2017, her second album "Ben Estim Sen Esme" in 2021. In 2024, Selin Sümbültepe released her EP "Hemhal" (to unite, in English), produced by Lebanese indie and global music pioneer Zeid Hamdan. "Hemhal" celebrates the culture of Hatay that was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2023. Selin’s new songs are healing music; by touching her roots, Selin felt, she would get closer to everything that she had lost in this natural disaster.

Selin Sümbültepe loves and is influenced by artists like Fairuz and Yasmin Hamdan, the two divas from Lebanon; Naissam Jalal, the inspiring flutist; as well as Turkish icons Bariş Manço and Aysel Gürel, the amazing lyricist. In her music she combines Middle Eastern tunes with Western music, adding melodies based on her own cultural background. Selin has performed her Fusion Folk Pop at festivals all over Turkey, such as the Istanbul Caz Festival, Bursa Nilüfer Müsik Festivali and Bozcaada Caz Festivali, and has regularly been featured in the Turkish media, as well as in the Istanbul edition of The Arts Hour on BBC Sounds. She is now looking for exposure outside of Turkey, aiming to be present on European stages in the years to come.

Selin Sümbültepe’s new release "Hemhal" is not just an EP; it’s a powerful declaration of her identity, a celebration of her heritage, and a bold step into a broader musical landscape. With "Hemhal" begins a new stage of Selin Sümbültepe’s artistic path and her future releases will certainly continue to be intriguing. Stay tuned!