GØK2 Celebrates Feminist Power On New Single ‘Kotryna’ Released 27th May 2025

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer GØK2, (aka Göktuğ Babataş) returns today with his fierce new single ‘Kotryna’ set for release on 27th May 2025.

The track is the latest to be taken from his forthcoming new EP Therapy Doesn’t Work, set for release on 23rd September 2025, and follows on from lead single ‘B.F.T.D’ released earlier this year.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey and currently based in Tallinn, Estonia, GØK2 recently appeared at Tallinn Music Week 2025, with further EU/UK live dates to be announced in the coming months.

GØK2 will also be appearing on a panel at MMB Festival Romania this September titled Taking a stand: should artists risk their fanbase for their beliefs: "In an era of political and social division, artists face a tough choice: should they use their platform to speak out on important issues, even at the risk of alienating fans? While taking a stand can strengthen an artist’s authenticity and impact, it can also lead to backlash, boycotts, or even career setbacks. This panel explores the challenges and responsibilities of artists navigating political expression, offering insights on when, how, and why to engage—and how to handle the risks that come with it."

Sonically, ‘Kotryna’ is a breakbeat-heavy, electro-punk club anthem, but it’s also a dance floor hit with a serious feminist message—a celebration of the strong, resilient women in Babataş’ life.

Commenting on the single, GØK2 says: “KOTRYNA is a pure love song, an emotional expression, and an opening to the EP. It’s an ode to feminine heroes, women with megaphones in the street, voices of millions. My ex-lover, with whom I grew through shared traumas and love. My care-taker mother, who gave me everything. My grandmother, who marched in protests in the ’80s and taught me what strength looks like. And my other grandmother, who raised me, protected me, and showed me unconditional love.

It’s also for my female friends, the ones who walked with me through survival, inspiring me with their presence, their resistance, their love. This song is love without pride. Vulnerability at 150 bpm. A hymn of admiration, acceptance, resilience, softness, and rage.”

Barrelling onto the European music scene in 2022 with his distortion-soaked debut single ‘No Means No’, Babataş’ skillful DIY productions blend elements of dance, electro, punk rock, hip-hop and break-beat. These are witty, dark, impactful, and groove-laden songs, infused with anger, compassion, and playful honesty—at its core, this is dance music with a punk rock attitude.

His lyrics explore weighty topics of immigration, dictatorships, mental health, and fighting for your rights and those of others, with songs about loving life and celebrating exactly who we are and what we stand for.

“How many more divas and superstars do we need in our lives?” grins Babataş of the rising tide of outspoken DIY artists currently emerging. “Nina Simone said it best: ‘The duty of an artist is to reflect the times.’ I believe that. If others don’t want to, that’s okay. But I have to. Even if I don’t say it directly, I put everything into sound.”

“I'm so happy to see music like this gaining momentum in a society that's always trying to find the next big thing to consume. I believe one of the fundamental reasons for this is the support of the grassroots communities; the power of the venues and people who encourage these kinds of bands.”

Touting a wide range of influences from protest music and thrash metal to Turnstile, The Prodigy, Soulfly, Sepultura, Amyl and the Sniffers, Wu-Tang Clan and Beastie Boys, GØK2 says that his latest material is heading in exactly the direction he wants for the project in future.

“Saturation and colors, organic raw tones, fast transitions, heartfelt energy, versatile combinations and a very special result. Loud but healthy!” he enthuses, of the new EP’s sound. “Recently, I’ve been particularly influenced by breakbeat and jungle rhythms. Kumo 99’s music and Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA’s album Scaring The Hoes, which I’ve been listening to like I was reading a book. My current approach is more straightforward: strong personality, fuzzy distorted guitar and lively drums and percussion—production that really pushes the gas pedal.”

In 2025, along with the rest of the Baltic States, Babataş and his fellow Estonian natives are once more nervously staring down the barrel of Russian escalation—a fact which isn’t lost on Babataş, or in his music.

“The political situation in the world affects us more than ever: the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the economic crisis, endless inflation, new conflicts between different countries...” he despairs. “Maybe that's why we need this kind of music and reflection on the situation. But whatever I say, I still believe that the real reason lies in the dedication and ambition of these DIY bands.”

GØK2’s new EP Therapy Doesn’t Work is released 23rd September 2025

Live Dates:

• 25.05.25 - Supersonic Club - Paris (FR) w/ Tuğçe Şenoğul
• 06.08.25 - SmukFest 2025 (DK)
• 9–11.09.25 - MMB Romania
• 07.11.25 - Tallinn – Paavli Kultuurivabrik (EE)