11Tugg

Tiago Etienne (AKA 11Tugg) Artist, Rapper, and Musician Tiago Etienne, born on October 2, 1999, in West London, is a rising rapper and musician known by his stage name 11Tugg. Raised in the Lancaster West Estate of Latimer Road, in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Tiago’s cultural roots are a unique blend of Portuguese and Caribbean heritage, with his father hailing from Madeira, Portugal, and his mother from Dominica. From a young age, Tiago developed a love for music, teaching himself piano and percussion by the age of six, and discovering his passion for lyricism at eleven. Tiago's musical career began in 2016 with a freestyle on Bl@ckbox TV, which marked the first recognition of his talent beyond his local community. This encouraged him to experiment with different styles, further developing his sound. A notable moment came in 2017 when he appeared on Tim Westwood’s ‘Crib Session’. However, a difficult personal period followed the Grenfell Tower Fire that summer, where Tiago lost friends and his community was devastated. During this time, he took a break from music to focus on supporting his community, while also refining his sound and writing more introspective lyrics. After a period of travel to places like Portugal, Sweden, and Morocco, Tiago returned to the music scene in 2019, releasing a freestyle on YouTube that reignited interest in his work. That same year, he dropped his first single, ‘Hold it In’, which spoke about loss, betrayal, and emotional struggle. In 2020, amidst the global pandemic, Tiago made the decision to leave university to focus fully on his music career, feeling disconnected from the industry’s business side and yearning to express himself through his art. Since then, 11Tugg has built a loyal fanbase through his consistent releases, including the highly successful freestyle on Neighbourhood TV that earned him over 20,000 views on YouTube. His music, available on digital platforms, continues to resonate with listeners worldwide, as he strives to connect with people through his versatile approach to rap, sharing his experiences, struggles, and triumphs. Now, after rebranding following his release from jail on October 2, 2024, 11Tugg is more focused than ever on his journey ahead. With a mix of introspection and raw authenticity, 11Tugg is poised to make his mark in the UK rap scene, with his evolving sound and unyielding determination to succeed.