Who is Ajda Pekkan?

Ajda Pekkan (real name Fatma Ajda Pekkan) is a Turkish singer, songwriter and actress. She has been referred to as the Queen of Turkish Pop Music. In the nearly six decades of her career, Ajda has released more than 30 albums and singles in Turkey and abroad, and has won several awards.

Early Life & Career

Ajda was born in 1946 in Istanbul, Turkey. As a child, she received piano lessons from a local teacher. At the age of 11, she began performing on stage. She spent her teenage years singing at weddings, parties and cabarets. Ajda released her first album in 1962 at the age of 16. It was a huge success, which made her an overnight star.

Collaborations

Throughout her career, Ajda has collaborated with many notable musicians such as Hank Shocklee, Levent Yüksel and Mustafa Sandal. She has also performed with international artists such as Julio Iglesias and Tom Jones.

Awards & Accolades

Ajda has won several awards throughout her career including the Golden Orange Award for Best Female Vocalist in 1976 and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kral TV Video Music Awards in 2011. She was also inducted into the World Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

Legacy

Ajda is one of the most influential singers in Turkey and her legacy continues to live on through her music. Her songs are still popular today and continue to be played on radio stations across the country.