Tarık Mengüç

Tarık Mengüç — Biography

Tarık Mengüç is a singer and songwriter who carried Roma music onto the pop and entertainment stage. Known for his clothes, his dancing and his upbeat songs, he is recognised for his own albums and songs written for others, as well as for television, advertising and film work.

Raised in a Roma family of musicians, Mengüç worked in his youth as a furniture polisher and in ceramics and lighter trades, sang at weddings and took music lessons in his spare time. After five years of vocal training he sang backing vocals for İbrahim Tatlıses, İbrahim Erkal and Ebru Gündeş, and from 1999 he assisted the music director Suat Aydoğan. Discovered by Aydoğan, he made his debut in 2004 with the album Şakşuka and its title song. Lakerda, İnadına 35 Derece, Tek Kişilik Orduyum and Sakız followed. He wrote songs for Sibel Can, Seda Sayan, Kibariye and Davut Güloğlu.

After a concert in Australia he became the face of an Australian brand and then of Nesine.com and Vodafone. In 2006 he appeared as a guest actor in Cennet Mahallesi and then played the Roma character Bekir in the film Yaşar Ne Yaşar Ne Yaşamaz. At the 2013 Rock'n Coke festival he opened the main stage with 9/8 music. He competed in Survivor Türkiye in 2017 and was a guest on Survivor All Star in 2022. In 2026 he performed with the Üsküdar Municipality Roma Orchestra at the Hıdrellez and Kakava celebrations in Sarayiçi. He is married with two children.