How consistency turned momentum into success
Over the past year, Baris Turna and Ben Hims have emerged as two of the fastest-growing names in Turkey’s electronic music scene, turning steady artistic development into remarkable streaming success.
Just one year ago, Ben Hims had 31,597 monthly Spotify listeners. Today, that number has grown to 375,687. During the same period, Baris Turna increased his monthly audience from 17,669 to 321,782 listeners.
Together, the two artists have grown from fewer than 50,000 monthly listeners to almost 700,000, marking one of the most impressive growth stories in the Turkish electronic music landscape.
Their journey wasn’t defined by a single viral moment, but by a carefully built catalog of releases that steadily expanded their audience and strengthened their identity as collaborators.
A Partnership That Started with Çay Elinden Öteye (Yali Yali)
The collaboration between Baris Turna and Ben Hims began with Çay Elinden Öteye (Yali Yali), a project blending traditional Turkish melodies with contemporary electronic production.
The track quickly surpassed 1.03 million streams, earning editorial support from Apple Music through playlists including Electronica Türkiye, New Music Daily, and New In Dance. Beyond streaming, the record gained strong traction among DJs and clubs across Turkey, proving that the duo had found a distinctive musical chemistry.
That first collaboration laid the foundation for a series of increasingly successful releases.
Over the following months, the artists continued to build momentum with tracks including Ay Que Me Quema, Ay Ay Ay, Can I Have It Like That, Rakkas, Low, and Restlessness, each helping expand their reach across streaming platforms, radio, and the club circuit.
“Rakkas” Became One of the Standout Electronic Releases of the Summer
Among their recent releases, Rakkas proved to be a defining moment.
The single has accumulated more than 1.12 million streams while receiving 1,518 radio plays. It climbed to #2 on Pal Station, one of Turkey’s leading radio stations, and secured editorial support from Apple Music’s Electronica Türkiye and New Music Daily playlists.
Its impact extended well beyond streaming.
The track inspired over 16,800 Instagram videos and 6,657 TikTok creations, while also entering the Shazam Dance Top 200 chart. Throughout the summer, Rakkas became a regular fixture in DJ sets, festivals, beach clubs, and nightclubs across Turkey, establishing itself as one of the country’s most talked-about electronic releases of the season.
“Ay Que Me Quema” Continued the Momentum
Following the success of Rakkas, Ay Que Me Quema further elevated the duo’s profile.
The single has generated more than 542,000 streams, reached #10 on the Metro FM Top 40, and received 1,207 radio plays.
Editorial support came from Apple Music through Electronica Türkiye, New In Dance, and New Music Daily, while Spotify featured the release in both New Music Friday and Dans 2026.
The track also climbed to #19 on the Turkish Shazam chart, reflecting growing public interest and strong organic discovery.
More Than Streaming Numbers
The remarkable increase in monthly listeners is only one part of the story.
Over the past year, Baris Turna and Ben Hims have established themselves as artists whose music resonates across streaming platforms, national radio, editorial playlists, and club culture. Their consistent release schedule, distinctive musical identity, and growing audience have transformed them into two of the most exciting rising electronic artists in Turkey.
Throughout this journey, SSL Music has supported the duo with long-term publishing, release strategy, promotion, digital marketing, radio campaigns, editorial pitching, and international distribution. Together, the label and the artists have also entered into a five-year exclusive publishing agreement, reflecting a shared commitment to long-term artistic development.
The story of Baris Turna and Ben Hims demonstrates what can happen when talented artists, consistent creative output, and the right long-term support come together. Judging by the momentum they’ve built over the past year, this is only the beginning of a much bigger journey.
What the Artists Say
Ben Hims
Reflecting on the collaboration, Ben Hims describes the past year as a period of both artistic and personal growth.
“Everything started when we realized we shared the same vision for music and the kind of records we wanted to create. Working with SSL Music has given us the opportunity to focus on the right projects while building something that we believe can grow for many years.”
For Ben Hims, the biggest transformation has gone beyond streaming numbers.
“The biggest change has been becoming more strategic in every aspect of our career. We’ve learned how to plan our releases, think long-term, and approach every project with a clearer vision. That confidence naturally translates to the stage as well.”
Looking ahead, he believes the journey is only getting started.
“We’re working on a lot of new music and exciting collaborations. I think people will hear an even stronger version of us in the coming months, both in the studio and on stage.”
Baris Turna
For Baris Turna, the collaboration has been built on trust, creativity, and a shared vision from day one.
“Everything started because we looked at music through the same lens. We immediately developed a strong creative chemistry. SSL Music has never felt like just a label, it has been a professional partner that genuinely supports artists and helps turn ideas into reality.”
He also believes that the past year has changed the way he approaches his career.
“Today I feel much more confident as an artist. My entire workflow has become more structured and professional, allowing me to focus entirely on creating music and delivering stronger performances.”
Speaking about the future, Baris says the team is only beginning to unlock its full potential.
“We’re entering a very exciting chapter with new releases, ambitious projects, and bigger international goals. I truly believe we’ve only scratched the surface of what we’re capable of achieving together.”
Listen to “Rakkas” on all streaming platforms now! https://lnkfi.re/SSL703
Listen to “Ay Que Me Quema” on all streaming platforms now! https://lnkfi.re/SSL768
Listen to “Çay Elinden Öteye (Yali Yali)” on all streaming platforms now! https://lnkfi.re/SSLTR022
Follow on Instagram:
Ben Hims: https://www.instagram.com/benhims_/
Baris Turna: https://www.instagram.com/baristurnaofficial/
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