Batu Akdeniz - The Reason [Single Release] feat. Simon Kirke

Photo: © Management

Photo: © Daphne Miller

Turkish rock sensation artist teams up with legendary

Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke

After an amount of different artists from almost 50 countries of East & West, today let's take a focus to the first ever artist from Turkey on this platform!

Turkish rock star Batu Akdeniz has joined forces with iconic rock drummer Simon Kirke, known for his work with Free and Bad Company, to release a powerful new single titled "The Reason." This collaboration promises to deliver a fresh sound that blends Batu’s dynamic style with Kirke’s legendary rhythmic prowess.

"The Reason" is an anthem of resilience and self-discovery, reflecting Batu's signature blend of rock and emotive lyrics. The track features soaring guitar riffs, pulsating rhythms, and a haunting melody that captures the essence of personal struggle and triumph. With Kirke’s unmistakable drumming laying a solid foundation, the song is poised to resonate with fans around the world.

Photos: © Duru Börü

Back story

Batu is frequently described by his audience as "the hope for the new generation of Turkish rock music." Known for his remarkable live performances, Batu has received comments from fans saying his stage presence even surpasses his studio recordings. His lyrics often cover melancholic love stories, standing up against injustice, and fighting for dreams.

His songs "Eksik" and "Başka Bir Gün" were featured in the TV series Aşk Mantık İntikam, and "Ona Gitme" was featured in Hekimoğlu, where Batu also made a guest appearance playing himself in one episode. He has also collaborated with artists like Pamela, Koray Candemir, Canozan, and Egemen Akkol.

Since childhood, Batu grew up in love with classic rock bands, playing with cover groups in Ankara during the early years of his career. In a twist of fate, years later, Simon Kirke, drummer of the legendary bands Bad Company and Free, discovered Batu and collaborated with him on two of Batu’s original English songs.

In an interview, Simon described Batu as “an incredible voice, and I’m sure he’s going to go very far.” Continuing work on his second album, Batu recently reinterpreted Ajda Pekkan's legendary song Bir Günah Gibi with his rock ‘n’ roll flair after 40 years, receiving widespread praise from listeners.

He was the first Turkish artist to record at the world-famous Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals. In 2025, Batu will be featured on an album that reimagines some of Muscle Shoals’ greatest hits, with his rendition of Bob Seger’s "Old Time Rock and Roll." This album will be released on vinyl and CD.

The Reason feat. Simon Kirke of Bad Company

Batu has been making waves in the rock scene in Turkey for many years and is a well-known musician in his homeland. His songs have been streamed 100 million times on Spotify, and has currently gained more than 300,000 monthly listeners and he has performed countless concerts.

With Kirke playing drums on these songs, Batu is now taking his music to the global stage. "Working with Simon has been a dream come true. His experience and creativity have pushed me to new heights, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve created together," he said.

Simon Kirke expressed his enthusiasm for the project as well: "Batu is an artist of outstanding caliber, and I wish I had known him years ago. I had the pleasure of playing on some of his songs, and his singing was absolutely inspiring. I hope we’ll have the chance to work together again in the not-so-distant future. 'The Reason' is a song that speaks to the heart, and I believe it will connect with listeners on many levels,” he said.

A second collaboration from Batu and Simon Kirke, “You Got Me Goin',” will be released in January, 2025. Fans of both artists can also look forward to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the creative process and the chemistry between the two. The story behind the making of these tracks, along with interviews and performance clips from Batu and Simon Kirke, will also be released in a mini-documentary.

Batu will play 'The Reason' live for the first time in Turkey at Holly Stone Beyoğlu (formerly Dorock XL Fitaş) on Friday, October 25, 2024.