Protest music style is music with a message and purpose, likewise, the message in Turkish protest music has been against inequality, lack of freedom, poverty, and the freedom of expression. Milder elements in this style are referred to as progressive, while some die-hard protest musicians have been prosecuted, and sometimes persecuted, in the 20th century Turkey. More than a few Turkish singers have been forced to exile, most notably Cem Karaca, who later returned to Turkey during freer conditions and atmosphere.

• Ahmet Kaya


• Ali Kınık
  
• Asu Maralman
  
• Aşık Gulabi
  
• Atilla Yılmaz
  
• Bülent Ortaçgil
  
• Celal Yarıcı
  
• Cem Karaca
  
• Cevdet Bağca
  
• Çetin Oraner
  
• Edip Akbayram
  
• Efkan Şeşen
  
• Ekrem Ataer
  

• Ercan Aydın
  
• Ezginin Günlüğü
  
• Ferhat Tunç
  
• Grup Çığ
  
• Grup Kızılırmak
  
• Grup Net
  
• Grup Sılam
  
• Grup Şiar
  
• Grup Yorum
  
• İnan Yaşar
  
• İsmail Özden
  
• La'l & Nato
  
• Mişa
  

• Moğollar
  
• Muhlis Akarsu
  
• Mustafa Yıldızdoğan
  
• Nurettin Rençber
  
• Olcayto Art
  
• Onur Akın
  
• Ozan Arif
  
• Özdemir Erdoğan
  
• Selçuk Küpçük
  
• Servet Kocakaya
  
• Taha
  
• Uğur Işılak
  
• Zülfü Livaneli