YXNG brought one of the most unusual performances of the 2026 edition of Vocea României, appearing on stage with his face concealed behind a mask. The young artist performed “Adidașii” by Șatra B.E.N.Z., combining rap and rock elements in a high-energy audition that immediately caught the coaches’ attention. He also attached a condition to his mysterious stage identity: he said he would remove the mask only if he wins the Romanian edition of The Voice.
The performance stood out not only because of the disguise, but also because of YXNG’s choice to bring trap and rap into a format where artists from those styles are relatively uncommon. Theo Rose praised the novelty of his appearance and congratulated him for taking that approach. Smiley likewise described the audition as a distinctive moment, noting that YXNG managed to make an impression in both the rap and rock sections of the performance.
Irina Rimes focused on the contrast between the two sides of the audition. She said the rap lyrics were difficult for her to understand, but considered the sung passages evidence that YXNG could also perform pop music. Her response included an invitation for him to join her team. The coaches’ reactions reflected the way the performance moved between contrasting musical directions rather than staying within a single genre.
Behind the mask is an artist with a long and varied connection to music. YXNG began piano lessons at the age of seven after being taken to them by his mother. He later spent eight years studying music in his hometown, took part in numerous competitions and performed classical repertoire. He says he has a good relationship with both parents, who separated when he was three, and recalls his mother’s continuing support. His aunt also influenced his connection to art during a period when he lived with her, singing to him and reciting poetry.
At 16, YXNG formed a rock and metal band and continued working in that area for roughly a decade. During that period, he worked as an instrumentalist with Macanache, What’s Up, Hands and Amna, including as a pianist. His own band was inspired by Los Angeles group Black Veil Brides, and its first EP was produced by the band’s guitarist, Jake Pitts. However, shortly before the planned release of the group’s first music video, the project ended for reasons unrelated to music. After seven years of work, YXNG stepped away from music for four years, beginning in 2017.
A later accident in Madeira changed his outlook. YXNG fell into the ocean during a holiday and became caught in strong currents. He has said that he experienced hallucinations and heard a voice asking whether he would stop or continue with his life. He chose to continue and said his first thought was that he still had more to do in music. A police officer who was surfing in the area rescued him.
The experience encouraged YXNG to return to creating music and use difficult experiences as inspiration. He connected the ideas of yin and yang with two inner forces, which became the basis for the mask that now forms part of his artistic identity. He built a studio in his room, bought equipment and began composing again. After spending two years working on “Bun rămas,” he released the song on streaming platforms last year, followed by an alternative-rock EP blending several genres. YXNG now performs trap and rage trap and is working on an album he intends to release in the summer. For now, his face remains hidden—and, by his own promise, will stay that way unless he wins Vocea României.
