‘It symbolised how men suffer in silence’ – Tulenkey explains why he taped his mouth at 26th TGMAs

Ghanaian rapper Tulenkey has finally disclosed why he used tape to bind his lips during the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs).

Tulenkey attracted attention from both guests and social media users on May 10, 2025, when he appeared at the event wearing an all-black suit and had a piece of tape covering his mouth.

The rapper left many curious when he refused to give an acceptance speech after winning an award at the TGMAs.

However, Tulenkey addressed the curiosity of many by explaining what his action meant.

Speaking in an interview on 3FM, May 21, 2025, he explained that the gesture was an effective way to draw attention to the frequently disregarded problem of men’s emotional and mental health difficulties.

According to him, he taped his mouth to show how men are discouraged from talking about their inner challenges and suffer in silence.

“It’s a message. It speaks of what men go through, the inner battles we fight. 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 symbolised suffering in silence,” he said.

Commenting about how he takes care of his mental health, Tulenkey stated that he typically meditates and tries to talk to people who are emotionally mature and can relate to his situation.

“I meditate and speak to emotionally mature people,” he said.

 

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The post ‘It symbolised how men suffer in silence’ – Tulenkey explains why he taped his mouth at 26th TGMAs first appeared on 3News.

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