Tul8TE thrives in mystery, letting his music speak volumes while his identity remains hidden. Beneath his mask lies not just a face, but a story—a constantly evolving narrative that invites listeners to lose themselves in the sound rather than his persona. With nearly 2 million monthly listeners and no traditional marketing, his album Cocktail Ghena’y (Musical Medley) hit the Spotify Viral 50 charts across multiple countries and many other music platforms. In a heartfelt interview with eniGma’s Farida Elserty, the young artist opens up about his sound, the mask, and the boundaries he’s eager to break next.
Honestly, I didn’t get the TUL8TE buzz at first. But once I gave his music a chance, it clicked. As a GenZ, I realise we crave a voice that truly represents us—something beyond the raw edge of mainstream rap nowadays – which I like. TUL8TE’s romantic, soulful sound offers the depth we need, filling a space that’s been missing for so long. Intrigued by this fresh voice, I wanted to know everything about the artist behind it.
When asked about the essence of his music, TUL8TE reveals a profound approach: “I use everything as an instrument, especially vocals, backing vocals in particular.” For him, it’s about more than just creating a melody; it’s about layering emotion, nuance, and texture. The most crucial piece of his musical puzzle is this intricate vocal work that draws listeners deeper into his sonic world, where each note is a step in the narrative, and every harmony serves as a bridge between reality and imagination.
His music is often described as a puzzle wrapped in a melody, and TUL8TE wants his audience to find the most personal piece of that puzzle for themselves. He leaves breadcrumbs in his work, encouraging fans to follow their instincts, unravel his songs in their way, and discover layers they didn’t expect.
TUL8TE’s mask has become synonymous with his brand, yet it’s far from a gimmick. For him, the mask is a tool that amplifies the music itself, stripping away the distractions of appearance and identity. “It helps me reach audiences through what matters the most, the music,” he says. By obscuring his face, TUL8TE encourages listeners to focus on the sound, the lyrics, and the experience rather than the person behind the performance.
The mask adds an extra layer of intrigue, allowing fans to project their own interpretations onto the artist. In a world where artists are increasingly accessible and visible, TUL8TE turns this notion on its head, inviting a more intimate connection with his audience through the very act of withholding parts of himself.
TUL8TE’s music is immersive, often transporting listeners into vividly constructed stories. This is evident from the way fans create reels and TikToks featuring his songs like Ma Tegi Aa’di Aleki? (Why I Don’t Stop By to See You?) and Habiby Leh (Why, Love?). His process, however, is far from conventional. He describes it as a deeply instinctual experience: “I draw a path through music and instrumentation first, which leads me to humming melodies that help me decide how I feel about the music.” Lyrics come later, after the music has already shaped the narrative. There’s no meticulous drafting process, no writing on paper—just a raw, spontaneous outpouring of emotion and thought.
This approach lends authenticity to his sound, where even the most abstract ideas feel relatable. His songs are less about telling a story from start to finish and more about creating a feeling, a moment that resonates differently with each listener.
TUL8TE acknowledges that the mystery surrounding his identity plays a significant role in how his music is received. It’s not just about creating curiosity but fostering a deeper, more imaginative relationship with the music. “The mystery makes people more imaginative,” he explains. “Everyone creates a different story.” Fans often project their emotions and interpretations onto his lyrics, crafting personal narratives that may differ from what he intended. This ambiguity enriches the listening experience, turning each song into a collaborative creation between TUL8TE and his audience.
TUL8TE’s artistry isn’t confined to sound. Fashion and visuals play an integral role in how he presents his music to the world. His evolving aesthetic reflects the core concepts of his songs, with each release offering an opportunity to experiment with style, form, and texture. “It’s shaped based on the core concept of the songs I release at the time,” he shares. His visuals aren’t just an accompaniment to his music; they are a crucial part of the storytelling process, adding another dimension to the world he creates for his listeners.
When asked what visual image best represents his music, TUL8TE paints a picture that is as poetic as it is evocative. “I imagine myself looking at the sky, with different settings. Some of my music feels like the morning, some like the sunset, and some resemble the darkness of night.” Each track has its own atmosphere, and in each one, TUL8TE finds a way to express both the beauty and the chaos of life.
One of the most fascinating aspects of TUL8TE’s career is his refusal to remain static. His music and persona are ever-changing, reflecting a constant evolution in how he views both art and life. “The boundary I am challenging myself to break is appreciation—towards life,” he reveals. He’s not just interested in pushing the limits of sound or visuals, but in encouraging his audience to find joy and beauty in the ordinary, transcend judgment and embrace life in all its messiness.
This mission extends to his growing presence on social media platforms like TikTok, where fans are given the space to remix and reinterpret his music. This interaction adds another layer of connection between artist and listener, further blurring the lines between creator and consumer. TUL8TE is fascinated by how his audience takes his work and transforms it, creating a feedback loop that enriches both his art and his community.
TUL8TE’s choice in collaborators reflects his eclectic influences and his desire to fuse genres in unexpected ways. When asked who he’d most like to work with, his answer is a surprising mix of pop icons and legendary voices: Michael Jackson and Fairouz. He imagines himself playing a guitar solo on Beat It, and producing a song for Fairouz, showcasing the breadth of his musical inspirations.
Despite his rising fame, TUL8TE remains grounded, preferring to keep his personal life private. “I really enjoy my personal life. It’s fulfilling for me. I don’t want to mess with it,” he admits. This separation between his public and private selves allows him to maintain a sense of normalcy while fully inhabiting his enigmatic musical persona.
As TUL8TE continues to break boundaries and redefine what it means to be an artist in the digital age, one thing remains constant: his commitment to authenticity. “I stay committed to what I really want, which is to change my life through music, and change the lives of others,” he says. Fame, for TUL8TE, is a byproduct, not the goal.
For now, TUL8TE is content to let the mystery linger, allowing his fans to construct their own stories while he continues to craft his. And perhaps that’s the most important piece of his puzzle—the understanding that music, at its best, is a shared experience, one that evolves with every listener, every interpretation, and every masked performance.
Photography: Mostafa Adry Khalifa
Styling: Amr Hesham/ Niazy
Cover Designer: Ahmed Beah