At the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), Ghanaian rapper Tulenkey delivered a striking message without saying a word. Dressed in an all-black suit and with his mouth covered in black masking tape, the rapper accepted his award for Best Hiplife Song in complete silence. The symbolic gesture stunned fans and attendees, many of whom were left wondering about the meaning behind his taped mouth. Tulenkey declined to speak publicly during the event and used only hand gestures to communicate, sparking widespread speculation on social media and within the entertainment industry.
In a follow-up interview with 3FM, Tulenkey explained the inspiration behind his silent protest. He revealed that the tape was a symbolic expression of the emotional struggles men often go through but rarely speak about. “It’s a message. It speaks of what men go through—the inner battles we fight,” he said. Tulenkey highlighted how societal expectations pressure men to suppress their emotions, fearing they’ll be perceived as weak if they open up. “Because being a man, when you are vulnerable, when you talk about your emotions, you are seen as weak. So they would rather die inside than let it out. The tape symbolized suffering in silence,” he added. His appearance was not just a fashion statement but a deeply personal reflection on the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
Tulenkey’s act resonated widely, earning praise for sparking an important conversation often avoided in public. Many fans and mental health advocates took to social media to support his message, applauding the artist for using his platform to highlight a critical issue. In a world where vulnerability is often viewed as a flaw, especially among men, Tulenkey’s bold move challenged traditional norms and encouraged reflection. The conversation has since spread beyond the music community, with various voices calling for more open discussions around emotional well-being, particularly among African men. His statement, made in silence, may go down as one of the most impactful moments of this year’s TGMAs—a reminder that sometimes, the loudest messages are delivered without words.
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