Biography
Ferman Akgül is known as the lead singer, songwriter, producer, director, actor, and TV presenter of the MTV award-winning rock band maNga. He has achieved national and international hits and is one of Türkiye's leading artists whose career extends far beyond music.
Born in Ankara in 1979, Ferman Akgül is the lead singer of the MTV award-winning music group and the songwriter of the legendary Turkish rock band maNga. Ferman Akgül's talents have made him one of Türkiye's most versatile artists. He received his undergraduate degree in architecture and his master's degree in film. The skills he acquired during these studies also led him to become a successful video director. Ferman produced and hosted his own music program on TRT for three seasons.
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More recently, Ferman appeared as the pilot in the musical adaptation of the world-famous "Little Prince" story. In 2016, he released his first solo music project. While continuing his solo album work, he published the storybook "Osmanlı Cadısı Tırnova" (The Ottoman Witch of Tırnova). His first solo album, "Yürüyorum İçimde" (I Walk Inside Myself), was released on March 24, 2017.
That same year, Ferman founded his own record label, 06 Records. 06 Records was established in Istanbul as an independent record label by Ferman Akgül and marketing and organization specialist Bettina Kuperman. The company focuses not only on music production and nurturing talented artists, but also on organizing festivals. Its aim is to open doors for young and talented musicians on different platforms and bring a fresh perspective to the Turkish music industry.
EARLY YEARS
Ferman was born on December 25, 1979, in Ankara. He began his musical journey at the age of 9 with an electronic piano given to him by his family, and quickly discovered his talent and passion for composing. On his way to releasing an album, Ferman gained fame in Ankara's underground scene, which led him to seek to form his own band.
Influenced by nu-metal bands of the 90s, Ferman was driven by a vision to break the rules and start a new music movement in Türkiye. Starting his humble career playing turntables, he soon realized his greatest talent was his voice and songwriting, and he rose to prominence in the band.
His search for a band ended in 2001 when he became a member of maNga.
MANGA
2004-2015 MANGA'S SUCCESS IN Türkiye
Before releasing their first album, the band came to Istanbul to begin their professional music careers. Their first album, released in 2004 under the name 'maNga', became one of the most successful and best-selling albums in Turkish rock history. With this album, the band won various awards, including a Gold Record. Between 2005 and 2009, maNga toured Turkey and Europe. In 2006, the song 'Bir Kadın Çizeceksin' was used in the FIFA 06 soundtrack.
The group released their second album, 'Şehr-i Hüzün' (City of Sorrow), in 2009, achieving even greater success.
In 2012, they released their third studio album, 'e-akustik' (e-acoustic), expanding their fanbase and establishing a significant presence in the European music scene. Radio and television stations became supportive of their acoustic performances.
In 2014, they released their fourth album, 'Işıkları Söndürseler Bile' (Even If They Turn Off the Lights), once again topping the charts.
In 2015, maNga had a small role in the film "Hadi İnşallah" (God Willing), and also contributed a song to the film's soundtrack. Their cover of "Yeniden Sev" (Love Again) became a hit. The group also contributed a song to the soundtrack of the film "Takım: Mahalle Aşkına" (Team: For the Love of the Neighborhood). The group continues to tour and make music.
2009-2015 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
In 2009, Ferman and the other members of maNga began achieving success on the international stage. In 2009, they won the Balkan Music Awards and the MTV Europe Best Artist Award. maNga is the first and only group from Türkiye to win this award.
The breakthrough on the international stage came in 2010. maNga successfully represented Türkiye at Eurovision with their song "We Could Be The Same," achieving second place. This success brought the group recognition in Europe, and in 2011, Ferman's song "Fly to Stay Alive," which he wrote and composed, topped charts in many European countries, including the MTV Adria Rock Chart.
maNga has opened for Korn, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Offspring, Limp Bizkit, and Skin. They have headlined numerous festivals and programs, including Rock and Coke, Fanta, Vitebsk Slavianski Bazaar Belarus, Sziget Hungary, The Balkan Concerts Bosnia & Herzegovina, Balkan Music Awards Bulgaria, and Belgrade Festival Serbia, and have toured Europe. They have also performed at New York's "Istanbul Live" Central Park and London's O2 Academy Islington.
SOLO MUSIC PROJECTS
In 2016, their first solo single was released.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.