“IT SYMBOLIZED HOW MEN SUFFER IN SILENCE” – Tulenkey Explains Why He Taped His Lips at 2025 TGMAs – Nsemkeka
Ghanaian rapper Tulenkey has broken his silence literally on why he appeared at the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) with a piece of tape covering his mouth.
Dressed in an all-black outfit, Tulenkey shocked fans and guests alike when he remained completely silent throughout the awards ceremony on May 10, 2025, even choosing not to give an acceptance speech after receiving an award. The dramatic gesture instantly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments, sparking intense speculation online.
Now, the ‘Bad Feeling’ hitmaker has revealed the motive behind the symbolic act: it was a visual protest highlighting the emotional struggles of men, particularly the societal pressure that discourages them from expressing vulnerability.
“It’s a message,” Tulenkey told 3FM in an interview on May 21. “It speaks of what men go through, the inner battles we fight. Being a man, when you talk about your emotions, you are seen as weak. So they’d rather die inside than let it out.”
He added, “The tape symbolised suffering in silence.”Tulenkey’s powerful visual statement has since been praised by fans and mental health advocates, who have long called for greater awareness around men’s mental health a topic often neglected in Ghanaian society.
Beyond the performance art, the rapper also opened up about his personal methods for staying grounded mentally.
“I meditate and speak to emotionally mature people,” he said, noting that emotional support and mindfulness are key parts of his self-care routine.
Source:Nsemkeka.com