Ibrahim Erkal

İbrahim Erkal was a Turkish singer, songwriter, composer and actor who rose to fame in the 1990s with his albums and TV series. He was born on October 10, 1966 in Narman, a town in Erzurum province. He started his musical career in 1984 under the name İbrahim Güzelses, releasing his first album Sarhoş Baki, which consisted of folk songs from his hometown. He changed his name to İbrahim Erkal in 1986 and released his second album Sensiz Yaşıyamam, which was more influenced by arabesque and fantasy genres. He gained popularity in 1993 with his third album Tutku, which sold over 500,000 copies. His fourth album Sıra Bende,Aklımdasın, released in 1995, was also a success, selling over 800,000 copies. His breakthrough came in 1996 with his fifth album Gönlünüze Talibim, which sold 1.4 million copies and made him one of the best-selling musicians of the year in Turkey. His song Canısı, which was the theme song of his TV series of the same name, became a hit and a signature song for him. He also starred in the TV series as a singer who falls in love with a married woman. The series was very popular and ranked first in the ratings. In 1997, he also starred in a TV movie based on the series, which was also well-received. His sixth album Sırılsıklam, released in 1998, was his most successful one, selling 2.2 million copies and becoming the second best-selling album of the year in Turkey. He also starred in another TV series based on the album, playing a singer who suffers from a terminal illness. He continued to release albums and act in TV series in the 2000s, such as De Get Yalan Dünya (2000), Su Gibi (2001), Aşknâme (2002), Gönül Limanı (2004), Yüreğinden Öpüyorum,Gülüm (2006), Aranağme (2008), and Burnumda Tütüyorsun (2011). His last album was Nefes 1, released in 2015. He also appeared as a guest star in some TV shows, such as Cennet Mahallesi (2006) and Kuzey Yıldızı (2019). He was married to Filiz Akgün, a former model, since 2003 and had two children, Hatice Dilara and Levent. On April 12, 2017, he lost his balance due to low blood pressure and hit his head against the floor, suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He was hospitalized and put under intensive care. On May 9, it was reported that he had been diagnosed with brain death, yet the vital functions of his heart and other organs were sustained, depending on the external life support. He died on May 11, 2017 at Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hospital in Istanbul. His funeral was held on May 13, 2017 at Marmara İlahiyat Mosque and his body was later buried at Karacaahmet Cemetery. He was mourned by his fans, friends, and colleagues from the music and TV industry. He was regarded as one of the most influential and beloved singers and actors of his generation, who left a lasting mark on Turkish culture with his songs and TV series.