Sibel Tüzün

Sibel Tüzün is a Turkish singer, songwriter, and producer known for her versatile contributions to pop, rock, and jazz music. Born on September 29, 1971, in Istanbul, Turkey, she began her musical journey early, joining the TRT Istanbul Radio Children’s Choir in 1978. Her passion for music continued through her teenage years as she became part of the TRT Youth Choir, working under esteemed conductors such as Gökçen Koray, Cenan Akın, and Hikmet Şimşek.

During her time at Beşiktaş Atatürk High School, Sibel developed an interest in pop and rock music. In 1986, she achieved third place in the Milliyet High School Music Contest, which led to collaborations with composer Melih Kibar. This opportunity allowed her to record jingles and provide backing vocals for prominent Turkish artists like Ajda Pekkan, Nükhet Duru, and Erol Evgin.

In 1988, Sibel was admitted to the Istanbul University State Conservatory’s Opera and Concert Singing Department, where she refined her classical music skills. Her foray into the Eurovision scene began in 1990 when she participated in Turkey’s national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Kime Ne?” composed by Levent Çoker and Zeynep Talu. She secured ninth place in the competition held on February 24, 1990. 

Sibel’s professional music career took off in 1991. Her debut album, “Ah Biz Kızlar” (“Oh, We Girls”), was released on June 25, 1993, under Raks Müzik Yapım. The album featured contributions from notable musicians, including Şehrazat, İskender Paydaş, Ümit Kuzer, Ozan Doğulu, and Kenan Doğulu, alongside Sibel’s own compositions. The success of singles like “Ah Biz Kızlar,” “Beni Bağlamaz,” and “Şamata” propelled her into the spotlight, leading to extensive tours across Turkey and abroad.

In 1994, she furthered her vocal training in London with Robert Bricknell. Upon returning to Turkey, she released her second album, “Nefes Kesen Aşklar” (“Breath-Taking Loves”), in 1995, which included hits like “Kaçın Kurası,” “Gözümün Bebeği,” and “Anca Beraber (Too Late).” Following a European tour in 1997, Sibel established her own production company, Arinna Müzik, and released her third album, “Hayat Buysa Ben Yokum Bu Yolda” (“If This Is Life, I’m Not In”) in 1998, showcasing her talents as a songwriter and producer.

Her fourth album, “Yine Yalnızım” (“I’m Alone Again”), was released in 2002, followed by “Kırmızı” (“Red”) in 2003, which marked a stylistic shift towards more romantic and ethnic sounds. In 2004, she released “Kıpkırmızı” (“Crimson Red”), featuring remixes and Greek versions of her songs.

In 2006, Sibel represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens with her self-written song “Süperstar.” She qualified from the semi-final in 8th place and ultimately finished 11th in the grand final, earning 91 points. The performance was notable for its energetic choreography and Sibel’s striking costume designed by Erol Albayrak.

After Eurovision, she continued to release music, including the EP “Saten” (“Satin”) in 2010, where each track was accompanied by a music video. In 2014, she released the single “Kaç Yıl Geçti Aradan,” a reinterpretation of a classic Sezen Aksu song, and followed it with “Le Le Le” in 2015.

In 2017, Sibel released the single “Senden İmzalı,” followed by “Anlamadın Di Mi?” in 2018, and “Olaylara Gel” in 2019. In 2020, she collaborated on the song “N’ Oldu Bize” for the album “Sabih Cangil 50. Yıl.” In 2021, she contributed to the international project “One Human,” a collaborative single featuring artists from various countries. In 2023, she participated in the tribute album “Anılarla Fecri Ebcioğlu,” performing classic Turkish pop songs. Since relocating to the UK in 2020, Sibel has continued her musical career, performing in cities like London, Manchester, and Oxford, and expanding her repertoire to include jazz standards, musical theatre classics, and pop and rock hits.