This German-born Turkish star plays with the friction between tradition and modernity characteristic of his homeland. The dance-pop composer's first and biggest hit, 1997's “Simarik” (Naughty), mixed modern beats and a Middle Eastern melody, topped off with the sound of lip-smacking kisses. Later, Tarkan began emphasizing Turkish folk music in tracks like "Hüp" (Whoop), laying a spry oud melody over strings and a sensual disco thump. And on "Dudu" he proved himself a superior vocalist, acrobatically ornamenting songs like a Middle Eastern classical singer.