Mesut Kurtis

Mesut Kurtis (Turkish: Mesut Kurtiş) is a Turkish–Macedonian singer who is represented by and signed to Awakening Records.

Mesut Kurtis
Mesut Kurtiş
Kurtis performing at a concert at the American University in Cairo in 2010
Background information
BornJuly 1981 (age 39)
Skopje, Socialist Republic of Macedonia,
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(now in North Macedonia)
OriginMacedonia
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2000–present
LabelsAwakening
Associated acts
Websitewww.mesutkurtis.com

Background and education

Kurtis was born in Skopje, North Macedonia. His parents are Turkish.[1] He studied at the College of Skopje and came to the UK at a young age to pursue his studies. He graduated with a degree in Human Sciences, Islamic Law[2][3] and Jurisprudence[4] from the European Institute of Human Sciences, University of Wales.[2]

Kurtis comes from a scholarly and religious family.[2] His father and grandfather were fluent in classical Arabic.[5]

Career
Kurtis at a concert in Konya, Turkey in 2014

Kurtis showed a strong interest in Islamic nasheeds from a very young age. He joined several nasheed groups in Macedonia that performed local[4] and also made several international visits including performances in Turkey and neighbouring places.[4] His music is influenced by Sufi, Turkish classical, Arabic and European styles.[6]

In May 2004, his debut album Salawat, produced by Awakening Records, was released and [7] featured songs that combine Arabic, Turkish and English.[8] It was well received by Muslim listeners around the world after his first music video "Al‐Burdah" which was filmed on location in the islands off the coast of Turkey.[9]

In June 2009, his second album Beloved was released.[10] On 7 July 2014, his third album Tabassam was released.[5]

Kurtis sings in Arabic, English, Macedonian and Turkish.[5] He is also fluent in five languages.[4]

Philanthropy
(From left) Maher Zain, Irfan Makki, Raef, Hamza Namira, Mesut Kurtis in "Send a little hope" UK tour in London in April 2012
  • On 14 April 2012, Kurtis took part in "Send A Little Hope" charity concert organised by Awakening Records and Save An Orphan organization at London's Hammersmith Apollo with Hamza Namira, Irfan Makki, Maher Zain and Raef to raise awareness and collect donations.[11] Over £175,000 were pledged on the night.[12]
  • On 21 April 2012, Kurtis performed at University City Hall by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah with Maher Zain in the charity concert aiming at introducing youth to disability issues and emphasising the importance of voluntarily work.[13]
  • Kurtis took part in "Sound of Light 2014" tour organized by Awakening Records and Human Appeal International in France and UK to collect fund for Gaza.[14] A concert in Bradford, England raised £520,000.[15]

Discography

Albums
Title Album details
Salawat
Beloved
  • Released: 25 June 2009
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
Tabassam
  • Released: 7 July 2014
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital Download
Balaghal Ula
  • Released: 2019
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: Digital Download

Videography
  • 2019: "Balaghal Ula"
  • 2014: "Aşkınla Yansın Özüm"
  • 2014: "Rouhi Fidak"
  • 2012: "Sevgili"
  • 2009: "Beloved"
  • 2007: "Burdah"

See also

References
  1. Shahid, Omar (13 April 2012). "Islamic singers rewrite western hits to find new audiences for 'faith-inspired' songs". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  2. "Nasheed: Mesut Kurtis". MuslimHipHop.com. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  3. "Mesut Kurtis". Islamic Lyrics.
  4. "Salawat By Mesut Kurtis Featuring Sami Yusuf CD". The Muslim Shop. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  5. Saeed, Saeed (10 August 2010). "Mawazine sessions: Mesut Kurtis is living to discover". The National. Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  6. "Mesut Kurtis #TRT1 – TV Interview". Awakening Records. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  7. "Salawat, Mesut Kurtis, Featured by Sami Yusuf". Islamic Goods Direct. Archived from the original on 13 March 2005. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  8. "Mesut Kurtis – Salawat". The Nasheed Shop. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  9. "Mesut Kurtis #AlJazeera". Awakening Records. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  10. "Mesut Kurtis – Beloved". Amazon.com. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  11. Shahid, Omar (10 April 2012). "The Concert of the year". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  12. "Over £175,000 pledged on the night at our 'Send A Little Hope' charity concert!". Save An Orphan. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  13. Shahid, Omar (17 April 2012). "Making Muslim Music for charity: Maher Zain and Mesut Kurtis". Al Bawaba. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  14. "Sounds of Light ft Maher Zain". Troxy. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  15. Faridi, Hasan (1 November 2014). "Bradford raises £520,000 in Sounds Of Light fundraiser". The Yorkshire Standard. West Yorkshire. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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