Hilmi Yarayıcı

Hilmi Yarayıcı — Biography

Hilmi Yarayıcı was born on 5 February 1968 in Antakya to a family of Arab descent, and is known as a teacher, musician and politician. He was a member of the folk-music group Grup Yorum from 1988 to 1995 and is remembered as its legendary lead vocalist, continuing to support the group's concerts and recordings after he left. In 1993 he enrolled at the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Turkish Music State Conservatory, sang in its Western polyphonic choir, and took private voice lessons from opera teachers.

Beyond performing, he also worked as a composer: he wrote the music for the television series "Seher Vakti" and "İlk Göz Ağrısı" and the TV film "Aşk Yolu", as well as for the film "Unutulmayanlar", whose leads were played by Altan Erkekli, Göksel Arsoy and Nevra Serezli. For many years he served as assistant principal at Kasımpaşa Vocational High School, resigning from that post in 2014 to seek the CHP nomination for Beyoğlu mayor, though he was ultimately not nominated. He later won election to parliament as a CHP deputy for Hatay in the 25th and 26th terms.

Alongside his political career, he has remained active in music, continuing to perform occasionally and to speak publicly on cultural and artistic issues.