Sagopa Kajmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sagopa Kajmer
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Sagopa Kajmer in September 2023
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| Born |
Yunus Özyavuz
17 August 1978 Samsun, Turkey
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| Alma mater | Istanbul University Persian Language and Literature |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) |
Kolera (Esen Güler)
(m. 2006; div. 2017) |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as |
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| Genres | Hip hop |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Melankolia Müzik |
Yunus Özyavuz (born August 17, 1978) is a famous Turkish rapper, singer, and music producer. He is best known by his stage name, Sagopa Kajmer. He has also used the names DJ Mic Check and Silahsız Kuvvet. He is the first and only rapper to perform concerts in all 81 provinces of Turkey.
Yunus was born in Samsun, Turkey, where he grew up. He later moved to Istanbul to study Persian language and literature at Istanbul University. He has said that his love for music came from his father, who listened to African music, and his mother, who enjoyed Italian music.
In 1998, he started a hip-hop group called Kuvvetmira. At first, he used the stage name "Silahsız Kuvvet." He later changed his name to Sagopa Kajmer. In 2005, he started his own music company called Melankolia Müzik. He married fellow rapper Kolera in 2006, and they released music together. They later divorced in 2017. Over the years, he has released many popular albums, including Bir Pesimistin Gözyaşları, Romantizma, and Kağıt Kesikleri.
Contents
Musical Journey
1978–2002: How It All Started
Yunus Özyavuz was born on August 17, 1978, in Samsun. He became interested in music at a young age. He began his career as a DJ at a local radio station in Samsun. He used the name DJ Rapper Mic Check back then.
In 1997, he moved to Istanbul for college. He studied Persian language and literature at Istanbul University and graduated four years later.
In 1998, he created the rap group Kuvvetmira. A year later, he was featured on a popular rap album called Yeraltı Operasyonu as Silahsız Kuvvet. He released several albums and EPs (shorter albums) during this time. He also worked with other artists, like producing the album Med Cezir for the rapper Ceza.
2003–2009: Becoming a Star
In 2003, Yunus announced he would use the stage name Sagopa Kajmer. His album Bir Pesimistin Gözyaşları (Tears of a Pessimist) became very popular. He made music videos for the songs "Maskeli Balo" and "Karikatür Komedya."
In 2004, he created the music for the famous Turkish comedy movie G.O.R.A.. The next year, he released the album Romantizma. His music video for the song "Vasiyet" won an award for Best Video Clip at the Kral TV Video Music Awards.
On August 11, 2005, Sagopa Kajmer and his wife at the time, Kolera, started their own record label, Melankolia Müzik. In 2007, they released their first album together, İkimizi Anlatan Bir Şey (Something That Describes Us). He continued to release successful solo albums like Kötü İnsanları Tanıma Senesi (Year of Getting to Know Bad People).
2010–2021: New Music and Projects
In 2010, Sagopa Kajmer and Kolera released their second album together, Bendeki Sen (The You Inside Me). It was nominated for Best Album at the TRT Music Awards. He also released more solo work, including the albums Saydam Odalar (Transparent Rooms) in 2011 and Kalp Hastası (Heart Patient) in 2013.
He went on tour with the Pesimist Orchestra in 2013, performing in 15 different cities. He continued to release new songs and EPs online for his fans. He also worked with other artists, like Cem Adrian and DJ Tarkan.
In 2017, he released the album Ahmak Islatan (Soaker of Fools). He also released many popular singles on his YouTube channel, such as "Sorun Var" and "Oldu Olanlar." On his 41st birthday, he released the song "Avutsun Bahaneler."
2022–Present: Recent Work
In June 2022, Sagopa Kajmer released the album Kağıt Kesikleri (Paper Cuts). The first music video from the album was for the song "Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla," which he performed with the rapper Şehinşah.
He has continued to create new music. In 2023, he released the song "Geceler" with singer Mine Koşan and another single called "İstesem de Söyleyemem."
His Unique Style
What Makes His Music Special?
Sagopa Kajmer is known for his unique style of rap music. When he started, he used the name Silahsız Kuvvet. His music often includes elements of traditional Turkish music, like Anatolian melodies and folk songs called türküs.
His voice is sometimes described as being similar to Arabesque music, a popular style in Turkey. While his early songs sometimes had curse words, he later stopped using them. His 2005 album, Romantizma, focused more on themes of love than his earlier work.
Who Inspired Him?
Sagopa Kajmer has said that the American rap group Run-DMC was a big influence on him. He also mentioned other early rappers like LL Cool J and the Fat Boys.
He is also inspired by classic Persian poets like Omar Khayyam, Ferdowsi, and Rumi. Their deep and thoughtful writing has influenced his own lyrics.
What Does "Sagopa Kajmer" Mean?
Yunus Özyavuz has given a few explanations for his stage name.
One story he told is about an ancient pyramid in Egypt. He said, "It's an ancient pyramid in Egypt... and the one who's looking for it is Kajmer." In this story, "Kajmer" is someone searching for answers and trying to solve a mystery, which is the "Sagopa."
Another time, he said that Sago is a type of palm tree in Thailand. He also said that "Kajmer" can mean "child" or "troubled child" in some older languages. The name suggests mystery and a search for meaning.
Personal Life
Sagopa Kajmer's real name is Yunus Özyavuz. His mother's name was Serpil Özyavuz, and his father is Mehmet Özyavuz. He also has a brother named Emre. He graduated from Istanbul University with a degree in Persian language and literature.
On August 1, 2006, he married fellow rapper Esen Güler, who is known as Kolera. They announced their divorce on November 20, 2017.
He is a fan of the Turkish Super League soccer team Samsunspor. His mother, Serpil Özyavuz, passed away from lung cancer on June 2, 2024.
Awards and Recognition
Sagopa Kajmer has won many awards for his music.
- In 2006, his music video for "Vasiyet" won Best Video Clip at the Kral TV Video Music Awards.
- In 2008, he was nominated for Best Turkish Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
- His album with Kolera, Bendeki Sen, was nominated for Best Album at the TRT Music Awards.
- In 2019, he won Best Rap Artist of the Year at the Magazin.com Awards.
| Year | Organisation | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Boys of the Sun 2001 Awards | Best DJ of 2001 | Himself | Won |
| 2003 | Boys of the Sun 2002 Awards | Best DJ of 2002 | Himself | Won |
| 2005 | Boğaziçi University Radyo Rap Music Awards of 2004 | Best Male Rap/Hiphop Artist of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2005 | Boğaziçi University Radyo Rap Music Awards of 2004 | Best Album of 2004 | Bir Pesimistin Gözyaşları | Won |
| 2005 | Boğaziçi University Radyo Rap Music Awards of 2004 | Best Song of 2004 | Neyim var ki? | Won |
| 2005 | Boğaziçi University Radyo Rap Music Awards of 2004 | Best DJ of 2004 | Himself | Won |
| 2006 | Kral TV Video Music Awards | Best Video Clip | "Vasiyet" | Won |
| 2008 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Rapper of Türkiye of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2011 | TRT Music Awards | Best Album of the Year | Bendeki Sen | Nominated |
| 2019 | Magazin.com Awards | Best Rap Artist of the Year | Himself | Won |
| Yeditepe Dilek Awards | Best Song | "Avutsun Bahaneler" | Won |
Discography
- Studio albums
- Yeraltı Operasyonu (1999)
- Gerilim 99 (Promo) (1999)
- Sözlerim Silahım (2001)
- On Kurşun (2001)
- Tek Hayalim (2002)
- İhtiyar Heyeti (2002)
- One Second (2002)
- Sagopa Kajmer (2002)
- Bir Pesimistin Gözyaşları (2004)
- Romantizma (2005)
- İkimizi Anlatan Bir Şey (2007)
- Kötü İnsanları Tanıma Senesi (2008)
- Bendeki Sen (2010)
- Saydam Odalar (2011)
- Kalp Hastası (2013)
- Kağıt Kesikleri (2022)
- EPs
- Pesimist EP 1 (2000)
- Pesimist EP 2 (2002)
- Pesimist EP 3 (2005)
- Disstortion EP (2005)
- Pesimist EP 4 - Kurşun Asker (2006)
- Pesimist EP 5 - Kör Cerrah (2008)
- Saykodelik EP (2009)
- Pesimist EP 6 - Ahmak Islatan (2014)
- Sarkastik EP (2019)
- Yunus EP (2020)
