Mabel Matiz
Mabel Matiz (born Fatih Karaca; 31 August 1985) is a Turkish singer-songwriter whose music fuses elements of pop, Anatolian folk melodies, maqam traditions, and electronic production.[1][2] He began releasing original songs online via Myspace in 2008 before signing with a label and issuing his self-titled debut album in 2011, followed by the breakthrough release Yaşım Çocuk in 2013, which earned Album of the Year honors from Milliyet Sanat magazine.[3][4] Subsequent works like Maya (2018) and Fatih (2023) solidified his status in Turkey's pop scene, where he has garnered PowerTurk Awards for Best Male Singer in 2019 and 2020, as well as Best Album in 2019.[5] Matiz's career has intersected with cultural and legal tensions in Turkey, particularly due to his queer identity and lyrical content challenging social norms; in September 2025, Turkey's Interior Ministry filed obscenity charges against him over the song "Perperişan," seeking up to three years' imprisonment for allegedly undermining public morality.[6][7][8] Earlier incidents include municipal cancellations of his concerts in 2023 linked to his public support for LGBTI+ rights amid conservative backlash.[9]Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family Origins
Fatih Karaca, later known by his stage name Mabel Matiz, was born on August 31, 1985, in the town of Tömük in Erdemli district, Mersin Province, Turkey.[10] He grew up in this coastal region of southern Turkey, characterized by a traditional and conservative social environment influenced by rural and provincial norms.[11] Karaca was the son of Ali Karaca, a truck driver who also served as a veteran of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and Maya Karaca, a housewife.[12] The family's socioeconomic status was modest, reflective of working-class occupations common in the area, with his father's long-haul trucking providing the primary income amid the economic constraints of provincial life in 1980s Turkey.[10] During his early childhood, Karaca faced challenges including a stutter, which persisted into his school years and shaped aspects of his personal development in a setting where such issues could amplify social isolation in a close-knit community.[14] His upbringing in Erdemli exposed him to local cultural elements, including folk traditions and literature, within the constraints of a family-focused household in a region known for its blend of Mediterranean influences and conservative values.[11]Education and Initial Career Paths
Matiz, originally named Fatih Karaca, completed his secondary education at Erdemli Anadolu High School in Mersin before relocating to Istanbul in 2003 to access advanced educational opportunities unavailable in his provincial hometown.[11] This move exemplified the widespread internal migration in Turkey, where individuals from rural or smaller urban areas seek professional training in major cities like Istanbul to improve economic prospects amid limited local job markets.[11] He enrolled in the Faculty of Dentistry at Istanbul University, a state institution known for its rigorous medical programs, and graduated in 2008 after completing the required five-year curriculum.[11] Dentistry represented a pragmatic career choice in Turkey's context, offering financial stability, social respect, and resistance to economic volatility, as the profession benefits from consistent demand for healthcare services and relatively high earning potential compared to arts or humanities fields.[11] Post-graduation, Matiz briefly worked in a healthcare clinic, applying his dental qualifications in clinical practice before pivoting away from medicine. This short tenure provided early exposure to professional responsibilities and urban professional networks in Istanbul, contrasting with his Mersin upbringing and foreshadowing a departure from conventional stability toward creative pursuits.Musical Career
Debut and Early Recordings (2010s)
Mabel Matiz initiated his musical output by self-releasing original tracks on Myspace starting in 2008, marking his independent entry into the industry prior to formal label involvement.[15] This online presence attracted attention from producer Engin Akıncı, who facilitated a recording deal.[12] His debut studio album, self-titled Mabel Matiz, was released on May 11, 2011, through the independent Turkish label Esen Müzik.[16] The album featured 10 tracks, including the lead single "Arafta," with production emphasizing acoustic and introspective pop-rock elements reflective of his early songwriting style.[17] Initial reception was niche, building a small but dedicated audience in Turkey through limited promotion and live appearances in Istanbul venues. Following the debut, Matiz signed with the larger distributor DMC and released his second studio album, Yaşım Çocuk, on January 5, 2013.[18] Comprising 12 tracks such as "Krallar" and the title song "Yaşım Çocuk," the album's arrangements were handled by Can Güngör and Cihan Mürtezaoğlu, with Matiz credited for lyrics and music on nine songs. Production began in summer 2012, focusing on expanded instrumentation while retaining personal lyrical themes, though commercial impact remained modest with streams and sales confined primarily to domestic digital platforms and physical copies. In 2015, Matiz issued his third album, Gök Nerede, on February 13 via DMC, consisting of 14 tracks that further refined his blend of pop and alternative sounds. Early performances supporting these releases were limited to Turkish club circuits and festivals, fostering gradual recognition without widespread chart dominance.Rise to Prominence and Breakthrough Albums
Mabel Matiz's ascent in the Turkish music industry gained momentum with the single "Öyle Kolaysa," released on February 2, 2018, which featured introspective lyrics and a fusion of pop and folk elements, quickly accumulating over 12 million Spotify streams by late 2019. The accompanying music video, directed by Anil Can, received the Best Music Video award at the 2018 Pantene Golden Butterfly Awards, highlighting its cultural resonance and production quality within Turkey's competitive pop landscape.[19] This track's viral traction on digital platforms and radio airplay marked an inflection point, shifting Matiz from niche recognition to broader commercial viability. Building on this, Matiz released his fourth studio album, Maya, digitally on June 20, 2018, via Zoom Music, with physical copies available in Turkey the following day.[20] Spanning 23 tracks across two discs, the album integrated Turkish folk traditions with electronic pop arrangements, featuring standout singles like "Fırtınadayım" and "A Canım" alongside "Öyle Kolaysa." Maya demonstrated Matiz's evolving production style, drawing from Anatolian influences while appealing to contemporary audiences, and achieved over 539 million Spotify streams by 2025, underscoring its enduring popularity in Turkey's streaming-dominated market.[21] The album's performance solidified Matiz's breakthrough status, with multiple tracks dominating Turkish digital charts and playlists, reflecting a surge in media coverage and live performance demand during 2018-2019.[22] Unlike his prior releases, Maya's eclectic sound and lyrical depth attracted collaborations with session musicians versed in both traditional and modern genres, contributing to sold-out regional concerts and expanded fan engagement without significant international touring at the time. This period established Matiz as a key figure in Turkish pop's mid-2010s renaissance, prioritizing artistic experimentation over formulaic hits.Recent Releases and Collaborations (2020s)
In 2023, Mabel Matiz released his fifth studio album Fatih on July 21, comprising 25 tracks produced primarily by the artist himself in collaboration with 20 assisting producers.[23] The album incorporated genre-blending elements, including the track "Düldül" featuring Turkish singer Melike Şahin, which explored electropop and traditional motifs, achieving 106 million plays on YouTube.[24] Earlier that year, on May 5, Matiz issued the single "Uçkun" with Turkish psychedelic rock band Hello Psychaleppo, blending folk instrumentation like bağlama with electronic production.[25] Prior collaborations in the decade included "Antidepresan" with Turkish pop artist Mert Demir, released on November 4, 2022, which fused vocal-driven pop with electronic elements and accumulated 348 million YouTube views, reflecting strong digital traction among Turkish audiences.[26] In 2024, Matiz followed with the standalone single "Kömür" on May 10, emphasizing introspective lyrics over minimalist production, garnering 123 million YouTube plays.[27] These works highlight Matiz's experimentation with co-productions involving contemporary Turkish talents, shifting toward hybrid sounds suited to streaming algorithms. By 2025, Matiz extended into cross-cultural territory with the Perperişan EP, released September 5 in partnership with French-Turkish electronic ensemble Ko Shin Moon, incorporating psychedelic and world music influences for a genre-blending output. The era's releases have demonstrated robust adaptation to digital platforms, with Matiz's YouTube channel surpassing 1.4 billion total views as of late 2025, driven by high-engagement singles that prioritize algorithmic discoverability and fan remixing.[28] This streaming focus has amplified his domestic reach while enabling experimental collaborations beyond traditional Turkish pop structures.Discography
Studio Albums
Mabel Matiz's debut studio album, titled Mabel Matiz, was released on May 11, 2011, by Esen Müzik, with production and arrangements handled by Alper Gemici and the artist.[29][30] The second studio album, Yaşım Çocuk, followed on January 5, 2013, under the DMC label, featuring a cover of Yıldız Tilbe's "Aşk Yok Olmaktır."[31][32] Gök Nerede, the third studio album, appeared on February 13, 2015, incorporating electronic and pop elements.[31][33] The fourth album, Maya, was issued on June 20, 2018, by Zoom Music and Doğan Music Company, comprising 23 tracks with production emphasizing folk-electronic fusion.[31][34] Fatih, the fifth studio album, debuted in 2023, marking a continuation of introspective themes.[35][36]| Title | Release Date | Label | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mabel Matiz | May 11, 2011 | Esen Müzik | Debut; 12 tracks; produced by Alper Gemici and artist[29] |
| Yaşım Çocuk | January 5, 2013 | DMC | Includes cover of "Aşk Yok Olmaktır"[31] |
| Gök Nerede | February 13, 2015 | Not specified in sources | 14 tracks; electronic-pop blend[33] |
| Maya | June 20, 2018 | Zoom Music / Doğan Music Company | 23 tracks; folk-electronic production[34] |
| Fatih | 2023 | Not specified in sources | Introspective focus[36] |