We lost Volkan Konak, the unique voice of Turkish folk music and the rebellious sound of the Black Sea, on March 31, 2025, at the age of just 58.
We lost Volkan Konak, the distinctive interpreter of Turkish folk music and the rebellious voice of the Black Sea, on March 31, 2025, at the age of just 58. The artist passed away despite all medical interventions after suffering a heart attack during a concert in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and being taken to Gazimağusa State Hospital.
Born on February 27, 1967, in the village of Yeşilyurt, in the Maçka district of Trabzon, Volkan Konak grew up surrounded by the breathtaking nature of the Black Sea. He completed his primary and secondary education in Maçka. Guided by a teacher who recognized his talent and passion for music, he stepped through the doors of Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music State Conservatory in 1983. He graduated in 1988 and went on to earn his master’s degree in Folk Music from the same university in 1991, deepening his musical knowledge.
Volkan Konak began his artistic journey in 1989 with his debut album Suların Horon Yeri, which brought together the melodies of his homeland. He quickly succeeded in creating his own unique style. Setting to music the poems of prominent Turkish literary figures such as Nâzım Hikmet, Yaşar Miraç, Ömer Kayaoğlu, Sunay Akın, and Sabahattin Ali, he established himself as a composer as well.
Blending the traditional sounds of the Black Sea with universal musical forms, Volkan Konak received widespread acclaim with his 1993 release Efulim. This was followed in 1994 by Gelir misin Benimle (Will You Come with Me?). After completing his military service, he released the album Volkanik Parçalar (Volcanic Pieces). In 1998, he founded his own production company, Kuzey Müzik Prodüksiyon (North Music Production), marking the beginning of his independent musical journey. That same year, he released the album Pedaliza.
Entering the new millennium, he continued his musical journey with a string of beloved albums: Şimal Rüzgarı (Northern Wind) in 2000, Maranda in 2003, Mora in 2006 (which earned a gold record), Mimoza in 2009, and Lifor in 2012.
Volkan Konak was not only known for his music but also for his deep social awareness. He conducted a two-year in-depth study documenting the impact of the Chernobyl disaster on Turkey, particularly the Black Sea region. The pain of losing his father and other loved ones to cancer became the driving force behind his dedication to this issue.
He composed Cerrahpaşa in memory of his father, with lyrics written by his sister Nuran Bahçekapılı, and Gardaş(Brother) in tribute to the late musician Kazım Koyuncu, who passed away at a young age. For years, he campaigned to raise awareness about the rise in cancer cases in the Black Sea region and advocated for the establishment of a Cancer Research Hospital there.
The artist’s body will be laid to rest in his beloved hometown of Trabzon, where he was born and raised.
