Fatih Karaca, better known as Mabel Matiz, was born on 31 August 1985 in the Erdemli district of Mersin, Turkey, to father Ali Karaca (a truck driver and Cyprus veteran) and mother Maya Karaca, a homemaker. He completed his primary education at Tömük Dr. Mustafa Erden Primary School, then middle and high school at Erdemli Anadolu Lisesi. In 2003 he moved to Istanbul for higher education and graduated from Istanbul University Dentistry Faculty in 2008. He later enrolled in a master’s program in Human Rights Law at Istanbul Bilgi University but discontinued it in 2014. During high school and university years, he took guitar and vocal lessons. As a child he struggled with a severe stutter — a challenge he partially overcame through theatre during high school, which helped him gain confidence. These experiences led him toward writing and music. In 2008, using the pseudonym “Mabel Matiz,” he began uploading demos and cover recordings online (initially on Myspace) under a concealed identity. His stage name has two roots: “Mabel” comes from the nickname of a character in the novel Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna, and “Matiz” is an old Greek slang word meaning “drunk,” which together reflect his worldview and artistic identity. His professional music career took off when producer Engin Akıncı noticed his online demos. On 11 May 2011 he released his debut studio album “Mabel Matiz” under the Esen Müzik label. He went on to release several more albums: • 2013: “Yaşım Çocuk”, which included a cover of a song by Yıldız Tilbe and yielded popular hits such as “Zor Değil,” “Aşk Yok Olmaktır,” “Yaşım Çocuk,” and “Alaimisema.” • 2015: “Gök Nerede”, which further established him in the Turkish pop/rock scene. • 2018: “Maya” — an album whose title pays tribute to his mother, Maya Karaca. • 2023: “Fatih” — his fifth studio album. Over the years, his music has evolved — blending pop, rock, folk, and electronic influences — and he has become known not just for his voice but for his songwriting, social engagement, and distinctive artistic persona. In his personal life, Mabel Matiz has been open about past difficulties — overcoming speech impediments and turning to music as a means of expression and self-discovery. He has also been associated with advocacy on social issues, including support for LGBT+ rights. As of now, he remains a prominent and influential figure in contemporary Turkish pop music, known for his emotional depth, lyrical sensitivity, and evolving sound.