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Tarkan talks about his life

 

This article appeared on Tú Magazine in July 2000. I want to thank Gilberto, from México, for scanning and sending me the photos.

 


Maybe it wasn't his first kiss, but it is definitely the kiss that sent him to the heights of success. Although he sings in turkish, Tarkan has conquered the world with Simarik, a really sexy song which has made millions dance to its rythm. He has beautiful turkish eyes, he's charismatic, mysterious, gorgeous and unstoppable.

 

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ON HIS LIFE:

  • Date of birth: October 17, 1972
  • Sign: Libra
  • Hobbies: Listen to music, paint, play sports, literature, and dating girls!
  • Artists: Prince, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Madonna
  • Family: Two brothers and three sisters, his father died in 1995 and his mother married again.
  • Love: Some long relationships, but right now he is single! And he wants to have four children...someday.

 

TURKISH DEEP WITHIN HIS HEART

Although it seems kind of strage, Tarkan is German, but the turkish blood in his veins has been his magic charm. He lived in the city of Alzey, Germany, until he was 15, then he went to live in Turkey, the place where are the roots of his family. There he studied music in schools in Karamürsel and Istanbul. And there he met his lucky star: Mehmet Sögütoglu, owner of Istambul Records, one of the most important record companies in Turkey. He still produces all his albums. In one year, he was a megastar in turkish pop, this huge success helped him to begin a career abroad. He moved to New York. You know the rest...

 

TARKANMANIA!

His name means force and boldness. And he's been a sensation everywhere. His personality has fascinated girls around the world, his hot way of dancing and his beautiful gaze, are characteristics that make him different and unique. In Turkey he's been a phenomenon, and that's his biggest pride: "The lyrics of my songs are sexy and provocative. My country is very conservative, people live prejudiced and repressed. I'd like my songs to be a chance to break their taboos and the pressure in which they live. I've been successful and I think I'm achieving my goal".

 

NEW LESSONS

During his career he has learned important lessons, as humbleness and to defend his roots against anything: "Fame is difficult to handle, and I must confess that at the beginning of my career I became conceited. But I love music, fans, I appreciate the attention people give to my work. I want to be humble, now I know that the important thing is to always to respond to the affection people give me. A lot has been said about my military service in Turkey. But nothing has been said about how this experience helped me personally. Although the weather was terrible, the temperature was -15°C, this was a unique experience. I remember great soldier friends. I didn't have a special treatment, as many people think. I had to do the same activities as anybody else; in fact, they were more strict because the press was all the time searching for news about me. I think this has been one of the best experiences I've had in my life".

 

BREAKING BARRIERS

He never imagined that his songs, which can't be understood by most of the world, would become the phenomenon they are right now. "It has been surprising for me the fact that I'm famous here. I couldn't believe that Mexicans sang Simarik. I love that because I enjoy singing in Turkish. I'm planning to record an album in English because I want people to understand my songs. I believe that for the first time there is a chance for music in languages different than English. The only thing I find lacking is better quality in recording albums, I think that's the reason turkish music has not been successful in other countries".

 

UNION OF CULTURES

Tarkan considers that his life is the result of the fusion of various cultures: he has turkish roots, he was born in Germany, he lives in the United States. "No doubt there's a relationship between the warmth of turkish and latin people. The women here are as sexy as in Turkey. But more than turkish, I feel like an universal person. My music is the combination of some vital instruments of arab culture. I've never taken dance lessons, but when I'm standing on stage, I feel so good that dancing comes to me naturally, it's something magical. I believe in God and I think he gave us some gifts to be used to the maximum and this is what I show in my music".

 

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