Mahmut Orhan (born January 11, 1993, in Bursa, Turkey) — is a Turkish DJ, music producer and composer. He gained international recognition in 2016 with the release of the single «Feel» featuring Sena Şener. The success was followed by «Save Me», «6 Days», «Schhh», «Fly Above» and other releases.
Orhan's music grew out of house, deep house and indie dance, but over time it became considerably broader. His catalog includes melodic house, melodic techno, Afro house, organic house and pop-oriented releases. One distinctive feature of his work is his attention to melodies from Turkey, the Balkans and the Middle East, which he brings into a contemporary club context without simply copying traditional folk music.
In 2024, Orhan released his first full-length studio album, Pangea, on Ultra Records. By that point, his career had moved far beyond the early deep-house period: he had performed at Ultra Music Festival, Coachella and Tomorrowland, while his circle of collaborators had expanded from Sena Şener and Irina Rimes to SOFI TUKKER, ZHU, Francis Mercier, Arodes and other artists.
Childhood in Bursa
Mahmut Orhan was born and raised in Bursa, a city in northwestern Turkey with a strong Ottoman cultural heritage.
His path into music did not begin at a music school or in a home studio. As a teenager, Orhan met someone involved in DJing and the technical production of events. Mahmut began helping transport and install speakers, cables and other equipment.
Gradually, he became more interested not in the technical side but in the DJ's work itself. By the age of sixteen or seventeen, he had started playing independently at local events and venues in Bursa.
In 2009, Orhan worked with 3-Adam, a company specializing in sound, lighting and technical event production. This period gave him a practical understanding of the club environment before he began seriously producing his own music.
Move to Istanbul
At around nineteen, Mahmut Orhan moved to Istanbul. This marked the beginning of the professional stage of his career.
One important venue was the restaurant and club Chilai in the Bebek district, where Orhan worked as both DJ and music director. In addition to playing his own sets, he was responsible for the overall musical atmosphere of the venue and for selecting its music.
In Istanbul, Orhan devoted increasing amounts of time to production and began releasing his first official works.
First Releases
In 2011, the early track «Undesirable Life» appeared. At the time, Orhan was working primarily with progressive house and deep house.
In 2012, his tracks began appearing on international club compilations. «Ceiron» was associated with the Little Buddha series, while «Fringe» appeared in connection with Siddharta Dubai.
For a young producer, such compilations were more important than they may seem today: they helped club music reach DJs and listeners in different countries before streaming platforms became the main channel of distribution.
Without You and Chilai
In 2014, Orhan released «Without You». The track opened the compilation Chilai, named after the Istanbul venue where he worked.
Chilai is sometimes incorrectly described as his debut studio album. In reality, it is a DJ compilation: alongside «Without You», it included recordings by Nolan & Amber Jolene, Milk & Sugar, Francesco Pico, Crota Squad, Franky Rizardo and other artists, with a long Chilai Continuous Mix closing the release.
For that reason, Mahmut Orhan's first full-length original studio album is considered to be not Chilai, but Pangea, released ten years later.
Age of Emotions
In 2015, Orhan released «Age of Emotions», which appeared on Buddha Bar Clubbing.
By this point, an important characteristic of his style had already taken shape: a relatively restrained house rhythm combined with an expressive melody and Eastern instrumental colors.
However, it was his next release that truly brought him an international audience.
Feel with Sena Şener
On February 17, 2016, Ultra Records released «Feel» featuring vocals by Turkish singer-songwriter Sena Şener.
The track differed noticeably from the typical festival EDM of the period. There is no aggressive drop; instead, the arrangement is built around a steady house groove, bassline, atmospheric melody and Şener's vocals.
«Feel» gained wide popularity across Central and Eastern Europe, entering the charts in Germany, Poland, Romania, Greece and other countries. In Poland, the single received a platinum certification.
This release transformed Mahmut Orhan from a regionally known deep-house producer into an artist with an international audience.
Save Me
His next major single was «Save Me» featuring Romanian singer Eneli, released on May 12, 2017.
The sound remained close to «Feel», but became darker and more minimalist. «Save Me» showed clearly that Orhan did not intend to simply repeat his first hit, preserving only the broader approach to melody and vocals.
6 Days
One of the producer's best-known tracks is «6 Days».
The track is built around vocal material from the British band Colonel Bagshot and their song «Six Day War». The recording had already appeared in electronic music culture before — most notably in DJ Shadow's «Six Days».
Orhan completely reworked the material into his own club aesthetic. The track was already part of his catalog in 2017, while on April 20, 2018, Ultra Records released «6 Days» as a separate international single.
After «Feel», it became the second track to firmly establish Mahmut Orhan's name with a broad audience.
One and Remixes
In 2018, the project One appeared. Like Chilai, it is more accurately described as a compilation and remix project rather than a numbered studio album.
By this point, remixes of Turkish pop music had become an important part of Orhan's work. He worked with material by Hadise, Yalın, İlyas Yalçıntaş and other performers.
This experience strongly influenced his production style: Orhan often builds a track around an existing vocal line while completely changing the rhythm, dynamics and harmonic environment of the song.
Awards in Turkey
After the international success of «Feel», recognition also followed in Turkey.
In 2017, Mahmut Orhan received the GQ Men of the Year Turkey award as DJ of the Year.
In December 2018, he won the Best DJ category at the 45th Altın Kelebek Awards.
Irina Rimes
In 2019, Orhan began collaborating with Romanian singer Irina Rimes.
«Schhh» was released on June 14, followed by «Hero» on July 26. Another joint track, «Nu Vreau», followed in 2020.
These recordings were less closely tied to his early deep-house sound and leaned more strongly toward melodic electronic pop.
In Control
On October 30, 2020, Ultra Records released «In Control», created by Mahmut Orhan together with Ali Arutan and featuring singer Selin.
By this point, the producer was becoming increasingly independent from any single genre template: house remained the foundation, but the arrangements were growing denser and more contemporary.
Return to Sena Şener
In January 2021, Orhan recorded new music with Sena Şener once again.
The single «Fly Above» retained the distinctive vocal character of their first collaboration, but used a larger and more dramatic arrangement.
Sibourne Music
At the same time, Orhan was also involved in developing young electronic musicians.
This led to the creation of Sibourne Music, around which the Sibourne Academy later developed.
The idea was straightforward: to create an environment where emerging DJs and producers could learn, exchange experience and work together instead of remaining isolated within a local scene.
Forgive Me with SOFI TUKKER
On March 4, 2022, «Forgive Me» was released — a collaboration between Mahmut Orhan and American duo SOFI TUKKER.
The track was later included on the duo's album WET TENNIS.
The collaboration was a natural one: both SOFI TUKKER and Orhan had long worked at the intersection of house, pop music and regional musical influences.
The Road to Pangea
In 2023, Orhan began releasing material that would later form the foundation of his first original studio album.
Among the tracks from this period were «Redemption», «Ederlezi», «Bayati Shiraz», «Backwards» and «Cutting Ribbons».
The new music was already moving far beyond deep house. It incorporated melodic techno, folk-derived vocal lines, more complex percussion and a denser festival-oriented sound.
Andalusian
On January 19, 2024, Orhan released «Andalusian» with Lebanese vocalist Ribale Wehbé.
The track combines Middle Eastern vocal tradition with melodic techno and contemporary club electronics.
It became one of the key pre-album singles from Pangea.
Pangea
On March 22, 2024, Ultra Records released Mahmut Orhan's first full-length studio album, Pangea.
The title refers to Pangaea, the ancient supercontinent that once united the landmasses of the modern world.
Orhan used the image as a metaphor for the album's musical world: different traditions, languages and rhythms exist alongside one another without being reduced to a single national or genre source.
The album features Nathan Nicholson, TUANA, Kenan Bayramlı, Ribale Wehbé, Feri, Axelax, Botan, Monnarsh and Paul Brenning.
The final track is an extended version of «6 Days», linking the new material with one of the producer's best-known early releases.
The Sound of Pangea
Pangea definitively demonstrated that the description «deep-house DJ» had become too narrow for Mahmut Orhan.
The album brings together house, indie dance, melodic techno and tracks built around Middle Eastern and Balkan melodic traditions.
On «Bayati Shiraz», «Andalusian» and «Karambula», regional musical elements influence not only the melodies but the very structure of the arrangements.
Ultra Music Festival
In March 2024, Mahmut Orhan made his debut at Ultra Music Festival Miami as part of the RESISTANCE program.
It was a revealing moment in his career: Orhan was no longer appearing merely as the producer behind the pop-oriented hit «Feel», but as a fully established club artist within the festival's house and techno program.
Coachella and Tomorrowland
That same year, Orhan performed at Coachella and appeared on the lineup of the 20th-anniversary edition of Tomorrowland Belgium.
The Pangea period marked the first stage when his festival career became comparable in importance to his studio work.
Move On and Maldad Pura
After the release of the album, Orhan continued actively releasing standalone singles.
On July 12, 2024, he released «Move On» with Danish trio Tripolism.
In December, it was followed by «Maldad Pura» with Mexican artist Jasiel Nuñez.
2025
In 2025, Orhan released «Mueva» with Turkish producer Yiğit Karakaş.
In August, the single «Şaşkın» with İlkan Sencan appeared. The track was oriented toward Afro house — a direction that was becoming increasingly present in both his sets and studio work during this period.
Orhan also served as producer and conductor on pianist İpek Nisa Göker's composition «Atların Koşusu», revealing another side of his work beyond club electronics.
Gaia
On March 6, 2026, Orhan released «Gaia», recorded with Arodes and Jamek Ortega.
The track appeared on Unreleased Records with distribution by Armada Music and belongs to the contemporary melodic/organic house scene.
Collaboration with ZHU
On April 24, 2026, ZHU's album BLACK MIDAS included a collaboration with Mahmut Orhan titled «IN THE WILD».
Sonically, it is closer to dark deep house and ZHU's characteristic minimalist aesthetic.
On July 31, the two musicians continued their collaboration with another single, «Transatlantic», released on Ultra Records.
Dance Floor DNA and Ice Ice Baby 2026
Also on April 24, «Dance Floor DNA» was released, created with Turkish project People Like Us.
On May 22 came «Ice Ice Baby 2026» — a collaboration with Belgian producer MAXI MERAKI and Vanilla Ice.
Rather than making a literal remake of the 1990 hit, the artists reworked the recognizable material into a contemporary house track.
Yali, Cicek and Sadete
Several new collaborations appeared during the summer of 2026.
«Yali» was recorded with Turkish singer Neşe Karaböcek.
«Cicek» with KinAhau appeared on Crosstown Rebels and belongs to organic house.
On July 14, Orhan and Haitian-American producer Francis Mercier released «Sadete» on Solèy.
The track became one of Orhan's most direct links to the contemporary Afro house scene.
Three
On August 28, 2026, Mahmut Orhan and Berlin-based musician Felix Raphael released the single «Three» on Ultra Records.
The track continues the deeper house direction of Orhan's later period and differs noticeably from the more festival-oriented work of the mid-2010s.
Musical Style
Mahmut Orhan's early work was most often classified as deep house, indie dance and nu disco.
Later, his sound became broader: melodic house, melodic techno, Afro house, organic house and more song-oriented forms became just as natural a part of his catalog as his early deep house.
One characteristic, however, has remained constant since his first major releases — a strong focus on melody. Orhan rarely builds a track around rhythm or a powerful drop alone. Even in his club-focused work, the melodic line usually remains central.
He uses regional musical influences in different ways. Sometimes they appear as a clearly recognizable vocal or instrument; at other times, only as a mode, harmonic inflection or rhythmic pattern.
DJ Work
Despite the success of his studio singles, Orhan began first and foremost as a DJ, and this side of his profession remains fundamental to him.
His contemporary sets include house, melodic house, indie dance, Afro house and techno. He often plays his own early hits in reworked club versions so that they fit naturally into the broader character of his sets.
Chilai, One and Pangea
There are three releases in Mahmut Orhan's discography that are often confused with one another.
Chilai (2014) — a DJ compilation featuring music by various artists and a continuous mix.
One (2018) — a compilation and remix project.
Pangea (2024) — his first full-length original studio album.
Major Releases
- 2011 — «Undesirable Life»;
- 2014 — Chilai — DJ compilation;
- 2014 — «Without You»;
- 2015 — «Age of Emotions»;
- 2016 — «Feel» — featuring Sena Şener;
- 2017 — «Save Me» — featuring Eneli;
- 2018 — «6 Days» — with Colonel Bagshot;
- 2018 — One — remix compilation;
- 2019 — «Schhh» — featuring Irina Rimes;
- 2019 — «Hero» — featuring Irina Rimes;
- 2020 — «In Control» — with Ali Arutan featuring Selin;
- 2021 — «Fly Above» — with Sena Şener;
- 2022 — «Forgive Me» — with SOFI TUKKER;
- 2023 — «Redemption»;
- 2023 — «Ederlezi»;
- 2024 — Pangea — studio album;
- 2024 — «Andalusian» — featuring Ribale Wehbé;
- 2024 — «Move On» — with Tripolism;
- 2024 — «Maldad Pura» — featuring Jasiel Nuñez;
- 2025 — «Mueva» — with Yiğit Karakaş;
- 2025 — «Şaşkın» — with İlkan Sencan;
- 2026 — «Gaia» — with Arodes and Jamek Ortega;
- 2026 — «IN THE WILD» — with ZHU;
- 2026 — «Dance Floor DNA» — with People Like Us;
- 2026 — «Ice Ice Baby 2026» — with MAXI MERAKI and Vanilla Ice;
- 2026 — «Yali» — with Neşe Karaböcek;
- 2026 — «Cicek» — with KinAhau;
- 2026 — «Sadete» — with Francis Mercier;
- 2026 — «Transatlantic» — with ZHU;
- 2026 — «Three» — with Felix Raphael.
Creative Journey
Mahmut Orhan began with technical work at events in Bursa, then moved behind the DJ booth and only afterward started producing his own music. His move to Istanbul gave him regular club experience, while «Feel» opened the door to an international audience in 2016.
The following years showed that Orhan had no intention of building his career around a single successful deep-house formula. «Save Me» and «6 Days» consolidated his success, collaborations with Irina Rimes, SOFI TUKKER and Sena Şener expanded the vocal side of his music, and Pangea brought together in one album the direction he had been moving toward for more than a decade.
Today, Turkish influences, organic and Afro house, melodic techno, pop vocals and international club collaborations coexist throughout his discography. More than any single genre label, this freedom of movement best defines the later period of Mahmut Orhan's career.
