The guest of this episode of Eylül Aşkın İle, filmed at the Bohem Art Gallery on Lüleci Hendek Street, was one of Turkey’s most prominent DJs, Hakan Küfündür.

“I started with cassette tapes and vinyl records.”

Hakan Küfündür shared that his curiosity about different cultures began in childhood, leading him to choose Spanish Language and Literature as his university major. He also started DJing and working in radio at a young age. “When I was 15 or 16, I started performing at matinees in clubs. I embarked on this path because I loved entertaining people, but honestly, I didn’t think I’d be doing this my whole life.”

“In the past, people would say, ‘Will you still be a DJ at 40?’”

Highlighting that DJing as a profession is only now beginning to solidify, Küfündür explained that it was previously seen as a hobby rather than a serious career. “Now, people make serious money doing this all over the world.” He also mentioned that his background in radio significantly contributed to his popularity.

“I used radio as a tool.”

Having worked with some of Turkey’s most established radio stations, Hakan Küfündür admitted to using radio as a tool in his DJing career. He explained that broadcasting his voice on radio increased attendance at his performances.

“There are DJs in their twenties playing ’90s music, but they don’t really know it.”

Described by Eylül Aşkın as the DJ who best captures the spirit of the ’90s, Hakan Küfündür explained his connection to ’90s music: “That’s because I’ve been DJing since the late ’90s. Now there are DJs in their twenties playing ’90s tracks, but they don’t really know the music.”

“I don’t think we’ve surpassed the music of the ’90s.”

Hakan Küfündür highlighted the strength of ’90s music, saying, “Although there was powerful music in the ’80s, the real movement began for us in the ’90s. There were strong productions, albums, and music videos. I don’t think we’ve been able to surpass that era.”

Every Sunday from 9 PM to Midnight on Radyo 45’lik!

Hakan Küfündür continues to connect with his audience weekly on Radyo 45’lik, featuring music primarily from the ’90s and 2000s.