Kenan Doğulu (Turkish pronunciation: ceˈnan doːuˈɫu) (born on 31 May 1974 in Cihangir, Beyoğlu, Istanbul) is a Turkish pop musician. He represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki, where he was placed fourth, with 163 points.
Kenan Doğulu has been in a relationship with Beren Saat, the leading Turkish actress, since February 2012. Kenan Doğulu and Beren Saat became engaged on 23 February 2014 at Istanbul and were married on 29 July 2014 at Los Angeles,US.
Early years:
He is second son of Yurdaer Doğulu (1941-87). His father was also a musician and released four LPs and 30 45rpms. At the early age of five, he enrolled into the piano class of the School of Music with the highest scores. Having completed six years of education in the piano class, he started flute classes from Erkan Alpay, his instructor, and continued with guitar classes from Erdem Sökmen with the establishment of the class. In the mean time he continued his education in drama and rhythmic instruments, and he carried on singing as a soloist in the children's chorus. Later, he successfully graduated from Kültür Koleji and completed the Communications certificate program at Hesser College.
Rise:
His first album, Yaparım Bilirsin was released in August 1993. 93 concerts held that year was a considerable achievement in Turkey. His second album Sımsıkı Sıkı Sıkı was released in December 1994 and achieved an unbelievable success with 175 live performances of the singer that year. The album Kenan Doğulu 3 which was launched in the music shops in August 1996 achieved great appreciation of his fans.
Keeping silent for two years, he fulfilled the expectations of his fans with his album Ex Aşkım which became a hit in 2001.In 2002, Kenan Doğulu 5.5, the unplugged version of Ex Aşkım was released and it reached mass audiences gaining as much appreciation as Ex Aşkım. He addressed his fans again in 2003 with a brand new album Demedi Deme. In the summer of 2006, Doğulu released the album Festival, containing the hit single Çakkıdı, in collaboration with Sezen Aksu.
Kenan Doğulu has been in a relationship with Beren Saat, the leading Turkish actress, since February 2012. Kenan Doğulu and Beren Saat became engaged on 23 February 2014 at Istanbul and were married on 29 July 2014 at Los Angeles, US.
Eurovision:
He represented Turkey at the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki with Shake It Up Şekerim. Owing to his third position in the semi-final, he passed to the final where he placed fourth with 163 points.
Group members:
Kenan Doğulu (Lead vocal),
Ozan Dogulu (Keyboards),
Tahsin Endersoy (Electronic guitar),
Hami Barutçu (Bass guitar),
Tarik Sezer (Keyboards),
Murat Yeter (Drums),
Aydin Karabulut (Percussion),
Murat Cekem (Guitar, Back Vocal),
Toygun Sözen (Saxophone, Back Vocal),
Duygu Soylu (Back Vocal),
Sinem Yalçınkaya (Back Vocal)