Linç@ - Semicenk

Summary

The transcript shows an interview with Turkish musician Semi Cenk, covering topics like his musical style and influences, experiences with critics and fans, his personal life, and more. It provides insight into his background and creative process.

Takeaways

• 😊 Semi Cenk is a popular Turkish singer who has a dedicated fan following
• 😮 He gets criticised often for his music sounding similar, but he tries to experiment with different styles
• 🎵 His songs appeal to the youth and he combines genres like pop, rap, arabesk in his music
• 🎤 He started performing live music at age 15 and has been passionate about it since
• 💯 He attributes his success to his fans and working with his team like Emre
• 👨‍🎤 Semi Cenk prefers creating music over other jobs and sees it as a way of life
• 😠 He gets aggravated by criticism targeted at his listeners rather than just him
• 🙂 He believes he still has a long way to go and wants to keep experimenting musically
• 📈 In 2023, 5 of his songs were the most streamed digitally, showing his popularity
• 😊 He is humble, credits his inspirations like Haktan and aims to carry forward their legacy

Q & A

What is the meaning behind Semi Cenk's stage name?

His stage name 'Semi' means 'the one who hears and understands' in Arabic. 'Cenk' is his actual first name.

How would Semi Cenk describe his musical style?

He says his style technically falls into the 'dark pop' genre - a melancholic, emotional style of pop music.

Who does Semi Cenk cite as musical influences?

He mentions artists like Demet Evgar and 21 Pilots as influences, as well as older Turkish musicians like Barış Manço.

What does Semi Cenk say about his songwriting process?

He says inspiration often strikes him late at night when he's alone with his thoughts and a cup of tea. The lyrics are frequently based on stories he imagines rather than direct personal experiences.

How does Semi Cenk handle critics of his music?

He says harsh criticism deeply annoys him and he sometimes physically lashes out by punching walls. However, he tries not to engage critics directly on social media.

What are Semi Cenk's touring experiences like?

He has played over 28 concerts in 30 days. The schedule can be disorienting - he sometimes doesn't even know what city he's performing in. But he still delivers 100% energy to every show.

Does Semi Cenk prefer standard notions of beauty in romantic partners?

No, he asserts he is often not attracted to conventionally beautiful women like models and actresses. He's drawn more to women with natural, down-to-earth personalities.

Does Semi Cenk consider music a job or a passion?

For him music feels entirely like a passion, while mundane tasks like washing dishes seem more like a job. He's been performing live music since age 15.

Has Semi Cenk ever had a 'normal' job unrelated to music?

No. Even while attending university he was heavily focused on musical pursuits, playing live music on campus rather than concentrating much on his actual studies.

Where does Semi Cenk see his career in 5 years?

He's unsure. He intends to keep making music as long as he feels inspired, but has no fixed long term plans or expectations of fame.