NEVAL

Neval is a Kurdish musician and storyteller whose music bridges the traditional and the contemporary. Born in Diyarbakır and raised in Istanbul, she draws from her roots while embracing global sounds and ideas.

Her debut single “Terelelli (Frivolous)” earned international recognition at the International Songwriting Competition in Nashville, while “Her Anlamlı Şarkı (Song with Every Meaning)” became a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

In 2019, Neval released her debut EP “Taş Avlu (Stone Yard),” followed by bold explorations into electronic and world music. Her 2020 single “Sahi (Really)” intertwined ethnic maqam melodies with organic house, and in 2022, “Masal (Tale)” blended her signature vocals with ambient electronica.

Neval’s work is deeply rooted in poetic storytelling, often collaborating with Yusuf Turhallı, and drawing from literary giants such as Aeschylus and Federico García Lorca. In 2023, she paid homage to her hometown with “Tari (Dark),” weaving sound samples from Diyarbakır with verses from the Kurdish classic “Mem û Zîn.”

Her latest release, “Yara” (2024), was nominated for World Music at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards, continuing her journey of fusing cultural heritage with contemporary sound.