Kayahan Açar, known simply as Kayahan, is a renowned Turkish singer, songwriter, and composer. Born on March 29, 1949, in İzmir, Turkey, he rose to prominence in the Turkish music industry with his distinctive voice and heartfelt lyrics, consistently ranking among the best-selling Turkish musicians of all time. Kayahan began his musical journey at a young age, showcasing his talent and passion for singing and songwriting. In the mid 1970s, he released his debut album Bekle Gülüm – Ateş (Wait, My Rose – Fire!), followed by a substantial discography that spanned three decades in a wide variety of genres including pop-rock, spoken word, folk and indie. Some of his most notable records include Canım Sıkılıyor Canım (I Get Bored) (1981), Benim Şarkılarım (My Songs) (1988), Yemin Ettim (I Swore) (1991), Son Şarkılarım (My Last Songs) (1993), Kelebeğin Şansı (The Luck of the Butterfly) (2004) and 365 Gün (365 Days) (2011). At the height of his fame, Kayahan represented Turkey in Eurovision Song Contest 1990 where he finished 17th with the song "Gözlerinin Hapsindeyim." Throughout his career, Kayahan received numerous accolades and honours for his contributions to Turkish music, winning several awards, including the prestigious Golden Butterfly Award and the MÜYAP (Music Producers Association) award for the bestselling-success of 2002 album Ne Oldu Can. Tragically, Kayahan's life was cut short when he passed away on April 3, 2015, leaving behind a rich musical legacy. In 2023, Kayahan’s 1992 album title track “Odalarda Işıksızım (Lightless in the Rooms)”, re-emerged on the charts, debuting at number 68.
