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Three Turkish names have entered the evaluation stage for the 68th Grammy Awards, marking a rare moment of visibility for Türkiye’s contemporary music scene on the international stage.
Aleyna Tilki’s "Kirlar", Melike Sahin’s "Akkor", and Manifest’s viral single "Ariyo" were all accepted into different categories for consideration by the Recording Academy, whose members are currently voting in the first round ahead of the official nominations on Nov. 7.
The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on Feb. 1.
Pop singer Aleyna Tilki, known for her international collaborations and energetic performances, has entered the Grammys’ Best Global Music Album evaluation with her latest album Kirlar.
Tilki, who previously became the first Turkish artist to appear on the Billboard charts and performed at Europe’s major music festival Tomorrowland, submitted Kirlar for the 68th Grammy Awards. Her application was accepted, placing her work in the same early review process as global artists from around the world.
Her team confirmed that Kirlar will be reviewed by Recording Academy members during the first round of voting. If shortlisted, Tilki could become the first Turkish pop artist to receive a Grammy nomination in a global music category.
Tilki’s inclusion follows her growing international profile built through collaborations with global stars such as Dua Lipa and Diplo, marking another milestone for a singer who entered the music industry as a teenager and rapidly rose to prominence.
Singer and songwriter Melike Sahin achieved one of the most significant recognitions among Turkish musicians this year. Her album Akkor was accepted for Grammy evaluation in four separate categories, including:
Sahin’s work will also be reviewed in the first round of voting by Recording Academy members.
Her fusion of traditional Turkish sounds with experimental arrangements has drawn international attention since Akkor’s release in 2024. The album’s intricate production and emotional depth helped her become one of the most prominent figures of Türkiye’s alternative music scene.
Turkish outlets reported that Sahin’s nomination process “demonstrates the technical and creative strength” of Akkor, which has resonated with both domestic and international audiences.
If officially nominated, Sahin would join a small number of non-Western female artists recognized in technical Grammy categories such as engineering and immersive sound.
Rising electronic-pop group Manifest announced that their debut single “Ariyo” was accepted for evaluation in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category.
The song became a viral hit across social media platforms earlier this year, praised for blending electronic beats with distinctive Turkish melodies. It gained widespread attention among young audiences and appeared in international publications, including "Rolling Stone".
The group confirmed the Grammy development through a social media statement:
“We are proud to announce that our song "Ariyo" has been accepted for evaluation at the 68th Grammy Awards in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category.”
However, Manifest’s Grammy journey might be shadowed by an ongoing legal process in Türkiye.
Members of the group are under judicial control after being investigated for “public indecency” and “exhibitionism.” They were released with a travel ban and required to sign in regularly with authorities.
What happens next
The Recording Academy’s first-round voting determines which entries advance to the official nominations, set to be announced on Nov. 7.
The 68th Grammy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026.
If the three Turkish artists advance, it will mark a milestone in the visibility of Türkiye’s diverse music scene across genres ranging from experimental pop to electronic production.
3 min read
