UZI

UZI is a Turkish rapper whose songs have enjoyed commercial success not only in his homeland, but also in America, where his 2021 hit "Krvn" became the first Turkish song to ever appear on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart. He was born as "Utku Cihan Yalçınkaya" on August 30, 1998, in Güngören, Istanbul. UZI began rapping as a teenager and officially launched his career with the debut single "Mis Gibi," with featured an appearance by Motive and was released in 2019. Two EPs — Output Nr.1 (featuring Lil Murda) and the solo effort Favela — were both released in 2019, as well. Featuring a blend of rap, hip-hop, and trap influences, those early releases found UZI gaining momentum on digital streaming services like Spotify. He reached a new level of popularity in Turkey in 2021, thanks to the release of his full-length debut album, Kan. Another album, El Chavo, followed in 2022. The year became UZI's commercial breakthrough, and the rapper reached the Top 5 in his homeland for the first time with "Paparazzi," which peaked at number 2 on the Top 25 Singles Billboard - Turkey chart. That same month, "Cindy" hit number 10 in Turkey, "Umrumda Degi" debuted at number 14, and "Makina" reached number 25. Later in 2022, UZI earned his first Number 1 single with "Arasan Da" and reached the Top 5 with "XXL" and "Unuttum." Those singles were followed in 2023 by another Number 1 hit, "Senin Ugruna," as well as the Top 10 successes "Zor" and "Caney."