Description
Yonca Evcimik was born on September 16, 1963, in Istanbul. She graduated from the Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory, Ballet Department.
Between 1978 and 1990, she worked as a professional dancer and singer in musicals and performed as an actress in various theaters. Before embarking on her career in music and theater, she worked as a sales representative for a life insurance company. In 1991, she released her debut album, Abone, which sold 2.8 million copies as of 2009. The title track, Abone, is regarded as a milestone in Turkish pop music.
At the end of 1992, she released her second album, Kendine Gel, which was the first album in Turkey to be promoted through an advertising campaign. The album featured hit songs such as Kendine Gel, Henüz Çok Gencim, Haberin Olsun, and Karambol. Its first music video was the first professional Turkish music video ever produced.
In 1994, Evcimik achieved a first in Turkey by releasing the country’s first single, 8:15 Vapuru. The single quickly climbed to the top of the charts and was intended to promote her new album, Yonca Evcimik ’94. The single sold approximately 400,000 copies, making it her second best-selling album after Abone. This album also introduced her to European audiences, with major hits including Bandıra Bandıra, Tükendik, and Gel Gel.
In September 2012, she released a single titled Yallah Sevgilim, with lyrics by Barlas Erinç, composition by Tolib Kuliev, and arrangement by İskender Paydaş. In June 2014, she released her latest album, 15.
Throughout her music career, which began with Abone, Evcimik has received numerous awards, including “Best-Selling Album,” “Most Promising Artist,” “Best Female Pop Artist of the Year” (awarded by Turkey’s most influential music video channel of the time), and “Female Pop Artist of the Year” in Northern Cyprus.