Inji (singer)
INJI | |
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Birth name | Inci Güran |
Born | Istanbul, Turkey | January 3, 2000
Genres |
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Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Years active | 2022–present |
Labels |
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Website | www |
Inci Güran (born 3 January 2000),[1] better known by her stage name INJI, is a Turkish singer-songwriter currently based in Philadelphia. She rose to prominence with her singles "GASLIGHT" and "MADELINE", which both went viral on the video-hosting service TikTok in 2022. Her debut EP LFG came out on streaming services on July 21 of 2023.
Early life
Inci was born on January 3, 2000, in Istanbul, the biggest city of Turkey.[2] Having loved music from a very young age, she enrolled in the Istanbul University State Conservatory in 2008 and studied music theory and classical piano.[3] Throughout the next ten years she would compete in several piano competitions across Europe, and after moving to London to attend high school, she started singing in jazz groups and choirs. This continued into her time at Pennsylvania State University, where she formed her own jazz group and performed on the campus.[4][5]
Career
2022: First singles and TikTok success
Güran's first single, "GASLIGHT", was produced alongside fellow PSU student Alex Graf, who had previously been a guitarist in her jazz project. The song was made "basically [...] in a week" using only resources available at the Penn campus. A demo of the song posted to TikTok went viral and propelled Güran's popularity to reach some of the most popular creators on the website, including Charli D'Amelio and Bella Poarch.[6] The song reached over 300,000 streams on Spotify in under two weeks.[7]
The follow-up single, "MADELINE", received similar success, which was further pushed by - among several - Güran's appearance on Tidal's Rising Artist and airplay on BBC's Radio 1.[8] Notably, the singer also appeared on Samsung's miniseries Make It With Nile Rodgers, hosted by Nile Rodgers.[9]
2023: "THE ONE" and debut EP
Güran's first release of the year, "THE ONE", continued the singer's viral stardom. The song, described by INJI as "the new single girl anthem", was later remixed by Marc Kinchen and Lee Foss.[10]
LFG, INJI's first EP, was released via Astralwerks on July 21, 2023.[11][12]
Influences
Güran mentions jazz and blues musicians as a major factor in her style of songwriting, pointing to them being "so creative in the span of such a small space". The singer refers to Amy Winehouse as "her favorite artist in terms of storytelling".[13] She is very open to experimentation in her music, saying "I'm not gonna say no to anything — you know, hyperpop, bring it on!" as a reply to her audience anticipating a hyperpop song.[14]
Discography
EPs
Title | Details |
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LFG |
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Singles
Title | Details |
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"GASLIGHT" |
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"MADELINE" |
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"THE ONE" |
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"BORED" |
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"UNTZ UNTZ" |
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References
- ^ Güran, Inci (3 January 2022). "turned 22 today and i gottem FEELS guys". Instagram.
- ^ Callwood, Brent (27 July 2023). "Inji-nious". Fizzy Mag.
- ^ Treadgold, Emily (1 June 2022). "Artist You Need To Know: INJI". The New Nine.
- ^ Barkan, Sophie (4 October 2022). "Singer, Songwriter, and Penn Student: @injimusic". 34th Street.
- ^ Gürün, Inci (6 January 2023). "From Penn student to record deal: How a 15-second TikTok video changed my life". The Inquirer.
- ^ Levin, Annie (20 May 2022). "INJI talks her debut single, "GASLIGHT"". Twenty Minutes Later.
- ^ Day, Jordyn (6 May 2022). "INJI - GASLIGHT". A1234.
- ^ "Turkish born musician INJI unveils brand new single 'MADELINE'". Sport Playlists. 30 September 2022.
- ^ "INJI (Polydor/Range)". Hits Daily Double. 12 April 2023.
- ^ Peters, Jo (19 January 2023). "INJI with new single 'The One' External Inbox". With Guitars.
- ^ Vigil, Dom (29 June 2023). "INJI Releases New Track, "UNTZ UNTZ"". Prelude Press.
- ^ Staff, Fizzy (21 July 2023). "INJI Drops Debut EP "LFG": A Wild Ride of Catchy Electronic-Pop Bliss". Fizzy Mag.
- ^ Reid, Madeline (21 July 2023). "INJI Inspires Joy On Debut EP 'LFG'". Bricks.
- ^ Kazlauskas, Agnius (15 May 2023). "INJI talks about new single 'Bored' and rising to fame on social media". Variance.