Decades of Discord: The Ceza vs. En Derin Feud Shaking Turkish Rap

For over 15 years, the Turkish rap scene has been marked by a volatile and often simmering tension between two central figures: Ceza, a rap heavyweight known for his past service as a Gendarmerie Police Officer (Turkish paramilitary law enforcement), and fellow artist En Derin. 

The rap conflict, originating from Ceza's “Minik Mikrofon” song released in 2010, which dissed En Derin's then Turkish Rap group called 3Gen, has evolved into a relentless battle waged through lyrical attacks, public challenges, and veiled threats, with no signs of cooling down.

From Competition to Fierce Controversy

The animosity took a notably dark turn with Ceza's 2012 track, "Soğuk Mevsim." His use of terms like "infidels" and stark references to violence against secular individuals ("strengthening swords on the necks of secular people") alarmed listeners and critics, who labeled the language extremist and dangerous.

This aggressive approach wasn't an isolated incident. Ceza's massive 2015 hit "Sus Pus," boasting over 240 million YouTube views, delivered a direct and unambiguous challenge. By referencing En Derin's birth name, "Derin Cag," and warning him to "turn back from the wrong path," Ceza embedded a personal attack within a chart-topping success.

The tension simmered beneath the surface until a fresh flare-up in mid-2024. In May, En Derin released "Dans Edelim," a seemingly upbeat track about dancing with no reference to Ceza. However, Ceza interpreted it differently. His July 2024 release, "Maytap," included the line "Dans ediveriyorum, hadi kalk" ("I'm just dancing, come on get up"), which fans widely saw as a direct and sarcastic dismissal of En Derin's song.

Escalation Through Soundwaves

This exchange ignited a rapid-fire musical battle. Days after "Maytap," En Derin retaliated with "Seni Gidi Seni" (July 2024). The track featured the pointed line, "Dinle bakalım tercih ettiğin şarkıyı" ("Go on, listen to the song you preferred"), a clear jab at Ceza mentioning in "Maytap" that he'd rather listen to Alphaville's "Big In Japan" than other local rappers. In a clever tactical move, En Derin constructed "Seni Gidi Seni" over the "Big In Japan" melody, turning Ceza's stated preference into a weapon against him.

Ceza refused to drop the theme, continuing his musical offensive:

 - "Bando" (July 2024): He sarcastically questioned, "Dans edin diye mi çaldı bando?" ("Did the band play just so you could dance?").

 - "Yatay Zeka" (July 2024): He offered a sneering visual: "Dam üstünde dans et saksağanla" ("Dance on the roof with the magpie").

 - "Voltran" (August 2024): Collaborating with Da Poet and Kayra, he repeated the demand: "Hadi yine bize dans et" ("Come on, dance for us again").

International Dimensions and Off-Stage Allegations

Seeking to push back on a larger stage, En Derin collaborated with US West Coast veteran RBX (known from Snoop Dogg's Tha Dogg Pound crew) on "Heatmizer 2" in February 2025. The track conveyed a clear message of defiance with lines like, "I don't care about who you are, CEO or superstar." Notably, RBX contributed verses defending targeted religious groups like Rastafarians ("They even bombed the Church"), adding a layer of social critique seemingly aimed at Ceza's past controversial rhetoric.

Industry observers believe these public exchanges represent only a fraction of the hostility, estimating that over 95% of the tension plays out through coded lyrics and behind-the-scenes maneuvers.

Real-Life Espionage Stories Comparable to a Spy Thriller

Adding a serious real-world dimension are allegations that Ceza leveraged his former law enforcement background in an espionage-like effort against En Derin. Sources claim Ceza misrepresented En Derin to Gendarmerie contacts, attempting to portray him as a terrorist. This alleged move is laden with irony given Ceza's own history of inflammatory language and raises concerns about potential abuse of power.

A Community Divided

This long-running feud has inevitably drawn clear lines within the Turkish rap community. Artists such as Sagopa Kajmer, Velet, Defkhan, and Hidra have signaled support for En Derin, releasing tracks perceived as digs at Ceza (e.g., “Avutsun Bahaneler,” "Yarabandı," "Öldürmen Gerek," “Benzeri Yok 3,” "Uranyum ve Roket"). 

Conversely, Ceza maintains alliances with figures including his sister, fellow rapper Ayben, as well as prominent names like Fuat Ergin, Motive, and Şehinşah.

Meanwhile, other rappers appear to remain neutral, though the feud's influence is palpable. For instance, Lvbel C5's April 2025 track “HA HA HA HA” contains the line “Dans et çakallarla” ("Dance with the jackals"), which some listeners interpret as a potential commentary on the ongoing conflict.

An Unknown Ending

Protracted conflicts in hip-hop history often leave indelible marks on the genre and the artists involved, concluding anywhere from reconciliation to tragedy. 

As this deep-rooted animosity between Ceza and En Derin continues to unfold after more than 15 years, observers are left asking: Will the conflict escalate to an even more public and damaging climax, or can a path toward resolution possibly emerge from the wreckage?