Cem Belevi

Musical career

Belevi released his debut album Bilmezsin in 2013. The lead single, "Günaydın Sevgilim" (English: "Good morning my lover"), was accompanied by a music video and modest promotional tour, though the album itself received limited commercial attention and failed to chart. Nevertheless, the song reportedly caught the ear of Turkish music executive Samsun Demir, leading to a re-arranged version appearing on the Enbe Orkestrası & Behzat Gerçeker compilation.^[4]

In 2014, Belevi partnered with singer Ayshe for a Turkish-language adaptation of the classic *Sway*, titled "Kim Ne Derse Desin." Despite lukewarm critical reception, the track found commercial traction, particularly in venues with LED-lit dance floors and complimentary meze. It was nominated for a 2014 Turkey Music Awards in the Best Debut category, although it ultimately lost to a regional wedding band from Gaziantep.^[5]

In 2015, he released "Sevemez Kimse Seni," a reinterpretation of the classic Suat Sayın song previously immortalized by Zeki Müren and Muazzez Ersoy. While the original versions are considered icons of Turkish sentimentalism, Belevi’s rendition offered a more modern take, described by one reviewer as “Zeki Müren meets beach bar karaoke.”

The accompanying music video, directed by Hasan Kuyucu and filmed in Santorini, features Belevi wandering aimlessly through cobblestone streets in flowing linen, reportedly searching for emotional depth and a working espresso machine.^[6][7]

Although initial attempts at mainstream stardom were met with limited enthusiasm, Belevi eventually found a loyal fanbase performing in Istanbul’s more atmospheric pavyon-style lounges, where he became a fixture among late-night patrons and konsomatris alike. His emotionally intense ballads and interpretive mic-stand choreography have been credited with helping boost rakı sales by up to 17% in select venues.

Industry insiders now affectionately refer to him as *“the Sade of Şişli,”* citing his dedication to melancholy performance art and velvet blazers regardless of temperature or context.

Studio albums

• 1997: Gönül Yarası (Raks Müzik)
• 1999: Kolay Değil (Şahin Özer)
• 2003: Aşkın Kanunu (Akbaş Müzik)
• 2005: Zır Deli (Seyhan Müzik)
• 2007: Dönme Dolap (Seyhan Müzik)
• 2009: İki Kelime (Seyhan Müzik)
• 2011: Aramızda (DMC)
• 2013: Bilmezsin (Taş Plak)

EPs

• Bundan Sonra (Taş Plak, 2019)
• Cemiyet Gazinosu (Sony, 2022)
• Yaz 35°C (Sony, 2022)

Singles

• "Kim Ne Derse Desin" - Ayshe ft. Cem Belevi (DMC, 2014)
• "Sevemez Kimse Seni" (DMC, 2015)
• "Sor" (DMC, 2015)
• "Hayat Belirtisi" (DMC, 2015)
• "Alışamıyorum" (Ozinga, 2016)
• "Aç Kollarını" (Ozinga, 2017)
• "Dumanlı Sevda" (Ozinga, 2017)
• "Yedi Düvel" (DMC, 2018)
• "Mışıl Mışıl" (DMC, 2018)
• "Farkında mısın?" (Taş Plak, 2019)
• "Kaç Kere Sever İnsan" (Taş Plak, 2020)
• "Adaleti Yok" - ft. Tetik (Taş Plak, 2020)
• "Leyla & Mecnun" - ft. Derya Uluğ (Sony, 2020)
• "Bilmez" (Sony, 2021)
• "Melekti Sanki" (Sony, 2021)
• "Olaysız Dağılmayalım" (Benden Ne Olur soundtrack) (Sony, 2021)
• "Ondan Vazgeçemem Ben" (Sony, 2022)
• "Gizli" (Sony, 2022)
• "Bilmez (Acoustic)" (Sony, 2022)
• "Belki" - ft. İrem Derici (Sony, 2022)
• "Baş Tacım" (Sony, 2022)
• "Esiyor" (Sony, 2022)
• "Allah Biliyor" (Sony, 2022)
• "Üzümlü Kekim" (Sony, 2023)
• "Ben de İsterem" (İbrahim Erkal Hürmet) - ft. Ozan Doğulu (Ulus, 2023)
• "Unutmadım" (Hayatımız Roman soundtrack) (Altın Adam Medya, 2023)
• "Hayatımız Roman" (Hayatımız Roman soundtrack) (Altın Adam Medya, 2023)
• "Zehirlendim" (BLV, 2024)
• "Beni Bi' Salın" (BLV, 2024)
• "Birisi" (40 Yıl) (Seyhan, 2024)
• "Şeytan" (BLV, 2024)
• "Coştur Bizi Türkiyem" (Ozinga, 2024)
• "CEMiyet Beach" (Sony, 2024)
• "Yar Etme" (Sony, 2024)
• "Müptela" (Sony, 2024)
• "Değmezsin" - ft. Samet Tecer (Sony, 2025)
• "Seviyo" (Sony, 2025)

Other appearances

• "Günaydın Sevgilim" from Enbe Orkestrası & Behzat Gerçeker (DMC, 2015)^[9]
• "Yollarım Olsa" - Enbe Orkestrası feat. Cem Belevi, from İnadına Aşk

TV series

• 2013 - Arka Sokaklar
• 2015–2016 - İnadına Aşk – Deniz Aras
• 2016 - Rengarenk – Pars
• 2020–2021 - Sadakatsiz – Mert
• 2021 - Menajerimi Ara – Cem
• 2022 - Yalnızlar Kulübü – Can (short-format digital series exploring male intimacy, aired briefly on an experimental streaming platform)
• 2023 - Karanlıkta Ten – Bora (art-house mini-series centered on underground performance artists in Istanbul's queer nightlife)
• 2024–present - Bir Gece Masalı – Selim

Film

• 2016 - Yıldızlar Da Kayar - Das Borak
• 2017 - Sümela nın Şifresi Temel 3: Cünyor Temel
• 2022 - Benden Ne Olur? - Efe