Ezhel

Ezhel, born Sercan İpekçioğlu in Ankara, Turkey, is one of the central figures who shaped modern Turkish-language rap and trap music. He began his career under the moniker "Ais" before adopting the name Ezhel, and is known for a genre-blending approach that draws on reggae influences alongside hip-hop, reflecting his early fascination with a wide range of styles and his ability to play multiple instruments.

His 2017 debut solo album Müptezhel is widely credited with popularizing trap production among Turkish rap audiences, marking a turning point in the genre's sound in Turkey. The album's single "Şehrimin Tadı" became one of the most-viewed Turkish-language tracks on Genius. He has also worked closely with a circle of collaborators sometimes referred to as the "Koal" team, including producers Bugy and DJ Artz.

Ezhel expanded his international profile in 2021 by featuring on a remix of Australian rapper Masked Wolf's globally viral hit "Astronaut in the Ocean." Since 2019 he has been based in Berlin, and in 2024 he released his second solo album, Derdo, continuing to build on the sound he helped establish nearly a decade earlier.