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    When I heard his voice for the first time I stopped and listen speechless, even now I feel the same when I listen his songs, his voice has a unique sensual depth compared to Barry White’s and Leonard Cohen’s, he is a true artist and a real Gentleman, he is Serhat Hacıpaşalıoğlu.
    I am very honoured because it’s given me the chance to present you one of the most marvellous artists I have ever met. Serhat is incomparable, an art by himself, the most popular TV presenter in Turkey, successful producer and very famous singer across Europe.
    The story of his life begun in Istanbul, Turkey, born in a traditional family Serhat took his first education in his hometown, he graduated from Faculty of Dentistry of Istanbul University. In 1994 he established his own production company, End Productions, and TRT with the Quiz Show “Riziko!” (the Turkish version of America’s legendary “Jeopardy”) was his first victory, except the production he was also the host of the Show. A year later in 1995 he receives two Golden Butterfly awards, one for "Best Male Host of the Year" and one for "Best Quiz Show of the Year" for “Riziko!”.
    Next steps in television were “Hedef 4”, “Altına Hücum”, “Serhat'la Rizikosuz” and “Kalimerhaba”, all with big success and numerous distinctions. At the end of 2009, he created a dance orchestra called "Caprice the Show" composed by 18 musicians made numerous performances in the following years.
    His singing career was started in 1997 when he was released two songs in Turkish language "Rüya" and "Ben Bir Daha." In 2005 the massive hit "Total Disguise", a beautiful duet with the French singer Viktor Lazlo, made him one of the most discussed artists of the year. The same year he recorded "Chocolate Flavour", three years later he collaborated with Russian/Georgian singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli in "I Was So Lonely", "No No Never" and "Ya + Ti" the Russian version of "Total Disguise".
    His fifth single was released in 2014 under the title "Je M'Adore" with a music video directed by Thierry Vergnes in Paris. The single became one of the most popular in Europe, number 1 for 5 weeks in a row on Deutsche DJ Black/Pop Charts, number 1 on Black 30, number 2 on British Dance Charts, number 8 on French Dance Charts and number 9 on Swiss Dance Charts.
   19 years ago Serhat founded the National and International High Schools Music Contest and has since been guiding and coaching talented young musicians. Megahit-Mediterranean Song Contest held in Turkey is another international success of Serhat, where he was the opening act 3 years in a row as the guest star and presenter.

    As I said, Serhat is a true multitalented artist, always fresh and ready to give the 100% of his strength to make his dreams reality, he is the Turkish King Midas, whatever he does he make it of gold!

Before this conversation take place I want to say a huge “Thank you” to Serhat for this interview and I hope you enjoy it as I! It was truly a big honour and a dream to host him in our site 12points.gr. 

So Serhat, I like to start this conversation from your childhood, you always wanted to be a singer? What was your dreams as a child?

    To be honest even as a child I knew that I’m gonna do something special in the future. At that time, it was not defined as singing, acting or anything else. Maybe you know I studied dentistry. But all my friends at the university were more sure than I that I will be not practising as dentist. They were right. After having big success at television as presenter and producer of the quiz show Jeopardy I wanted to go a new global way. So I’ve started singing.

Which artists influenced you as a child and who affecting you even today?

    My childhood was the best years of disco music. I grew up with “I will survive” and many other songs like this. Of course this has an influence on my music taste. Donna Summer, Grace Jones are special names in my music lists. Of course Michael Jackson, George Michael, Tom Jones, Madonna, Leonard Cohen. Very good and legendary musicians.  Today I listen to many different styles from different countries. I like especially Jesse J, Robin Thicke, Maroon 5 from international market, but also names which are popular mostly in their own countries like Alejandro Fernandez from Mexico, Joana Jimenez from Spain. I am in love with Greek music. So if I start to mention all the Greek songs and artists I appreciate, this interview can’t have an end  Greece has a big tradition and colour in music.

You are gifted with an amazing voice and lots of talents. Do you remember, who was the first person which believed in you and helped you develop your “gifts”?

    Thank you very much for your kind comments. I am honoured. I always worked on my talents to improve them. It’s a hard work but nice at the same time. I like challenge in life. Always choosing difficult paths to go. For me is the success after difficult ways is more satisfying.
    The first person who believed in me is my dear sister Hülya. She is also a very talented person in music and arts. And she opened to me all the ways as I was a child because she saw something special in me for the future.

Do you remember what your first “contact” with Eurovision was?

    I remember exactly. 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. As a child I watched it with my sister at TV. It was the first ESC transmission in Turkish television. I was impressed at this age of the concept that so many different countries are competing with their music. And Abba won. What a lucky start for me with Eurovision Song Contest. Since then I never missed any contest. And my first time in the audience was Stockholm 2000. What a coincidence, after 16 years I will be at the same arena but now on the stage representing San Marino.

    Serhat and San Marino, how this cooperation happened? Can you describe us your feelings about this opportunity that San Marino gave you?

    It is really a unique and unusual story. San Marino TV paid attention to the success of my latest single “Je M’adore” at international dance and DJ charts.  They contacted my Italian manager Marco Vannuzzi because of ESC.  As Marco told me about the possible collaboration I was surprised too. But at our meetings I ‘m convinced totally by the idea.  So we made our plans, fixed the targets. Now I am very glad and honoured to be a part of this collaboration and to represent San Marino. Yes, it sounds unusual but unusual things are making our life much beautiful.

The song that you will sing in the stage of Eurovision in Stockholm this may is not being chosen yet, how difficult is to choose a song for this contest?

    We are still working on the song. And I am very satisfied with the result. To be honest, it was not difficult for me at alI to choose the song. I knew from the first moment on which song I would like to sing.  More than 3 years we are working on my album and I have beautiful songs. This song is a very personal song for me and I believe in it from the first time I hear it only with a guitar demo.

Unfortunately, Turkey decided not to participate in Eurovision the last years, what are your feelings about this situation?

    As you said, “unfortunately” is the right word. ESC is the best platform to bring all the European nations together under the umbrella of music. How nice to see all the nations competing but also having fun together and enjoying this peaceful atmosphere full of good energy and love. Turkey is one of the most colourful countries at the ESC history. We had a lot of success, nice memorable songs. I really wish and hope that Turkey will return to the contest 2017. This year, with me, Turkey will be there too. I have responsibility of 2 beautiful countries: San Marino and Turkey.

You have a long career in television and singing, what are your expectations from the 61st edition of Eurovision Song Contest?

    My first expectation is to enjoy this unique experience and to make a memorable performance.  ESC stage is a perfect way to get mutual with European audience. I am sure for any artist is a big privilege to perform on this stage in front of millions.

In Greece your songs are all hits and you became a beloved artist, what are your emotions about Greece and Greek people?

    Greece is the very first country in the world which loved and supported my music. How can I forget it? So it has a very special place in my heart. It’s my second home. I feel so good whenever I am in your beautiful country. And in all those years I am sure I’ve been there more than 100 times  Greek people have a very distinguished taste of music. I think it’s in your genes because you have a great culture. Whenever I go in Greece I always listen at least one of my songs. Especially Total Disguise or Chocolate Flavour. As you already know in many songs of mine Nektarios Tirakis wrote the lyrics, he is for Greece a very important lyricist and music man, but for me, apart from all his talents, he is my “beloved brother”.

    The words are not enough to show my gratitude for this interview, Serhat is one in a million, I like to thank him again and wish him the best in the first half of the first semi-final in the 10^th of May.

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