He was born on 9 January 1778, at Şehzadebaşı-Fatih in Istanbul, and started studying music with Mehmed Emin Efendi, at the age of eight.
He attended rituals and learned to play the ney at the Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi, a place of Mevlevi dervish gatherings.
Dede Efendi's music was appreciated by Sultan Selim III and he performed his works at the palace.
He also developed the composite musical modes of "sultanî yegâh", "nev-eser", "saba-buselik", "hicaz-buselik" and "araban kürdî".
His piece, Ey büt-i nev edâ olmuşum müptelâ, is featured as part of the theme for the Ottoman civilisation in the expansion for the strategy game, Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm.