Italian Rappers
List of Top Italian Hip Hop Artists
In Italy, a country known for its rich culture and history, resides a genre of music consisting of Italian rappers. Italy’s top rap artists have, over the years, transformed the Italian rap scene into becoming one of Europe’s largest hip hop markets, all created through an extensive list of some of the world’s most genre bending, versatile, and diverse artists.
Italy is recognized as having one of the oldest hip hop communities in Europe, dating back to the mid-1980s. In its earliest form, Italian rap and hip-hop music was spearheaded by Italian hip hop artists, DJs, and producers like Lorenzo Jovanotti Cherubini, also known as Jovanotti, Ice One, Bassi Maestro, DJ Gruff, Kaos One, DJ Skizo, Dre’ n OG, the Italian rap group Radical Stuff, and a handful of others.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, which had the emergence of hip hop heads like Deda and Neffa of the Isola Posse All Stars, Primo Brown, Fabri Fibra, rap group Colle Der Fomento, Joe Cassano, El Presidente, Fritz da Cat, Turi , DJ Double S, Mondo Marcio, Vacca, and numerous others, the Italian rap scene only grew larger.
From hip hop groups and cliques, or “posses,” like Onda Rossa Posse or Lion Horse Posse, to solo and individual artists to the disc jockeys, producers and executives, the country of Italy has never lagged behind Europe’s rap scene and has always been a step ahead within hip hop.
Today, Italy is turning the pages to a new chapter of history as Italian hip hop artists have created a movement that will be recognized as one of the country’s most important periods in music. Italian rappers have completely grown the genre by combining their Italian heritage with today’s hip hop culture and created one of the world’s hottest rap scenes.
Top 25 Italian Hip Hop Artists
1. Sfera Ebbasta
Raised in the southern Italian city of Bologna, he began to pursue a career in music in 2010, releasing a series of mixtapes in the following years. His debut studio album, XDVR, was released in 2016 and instantly propelled him to the forefront of the Italian hip hop scene. Sfera Ebbasta has since become one of the most successful Italian rappers, with his music receiving multiple awards and nominations. He has collaborated with many of the biggest names in hip hop, including Quavo, French Montana, and Lil Uzi Vert.
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2. Capo Plaza
Capo Plaza, hailing from Salerno, grew up in the same city where he made his debut in 2013 with his first release “Sto giù”. Gradually gaining popularity after his first release, Capo Plaza came out with his debut album Sulamente nuje in 2016. Subsequently, he released a number of projects, including 20, Plaza, which featured Gunna, Lil TJay, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Hustle, along with two deluxe editions.
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3. Gué
One of the most renowned Italian rappers, Gué Pequeno, made his debut in the 1990s as a part of Sacre Scuole. However, it was during the 2000s and 2010s that he gained popularity. Gué has released numerous EPs and mixtapes during the 2000s, and in 2011, he released his first album, Il ragazzo d’oro. Over the course of his three-decade-long career, he has produced several hits and released more than ten albums, including Madreperla in 2023.
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4. Ghali
Ghali, who grew up in Milan, Italy, began his career in music during the early 2010s as part of the group Troupe D’Elite. He is known for being one of the most unique Italian rappers and in 2016, he made his solo debut with the single “Ninna Nanna”. This was followed by his first album called Album. Since 2017, Ghali has released three albums that all reached the top 2 on the charts. He has also had success with popular songs such as “Cara Italia” and “Good Times”, making him one of the most impressive artists in the music industry.
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5. Fedez
Fedez has established himself as a prominent figure in Italian pop culture, renowned for his music and fashion. He has released five chart-topping albums, beginning with Sig. Brainwash – L’arte di accontentare in 2013 and concluding with Disumano in 2021. In addition, he has produced over 20 hit singles that have topped the charts and earned platinum status. Despite misconceptions and how he is viewed by some, he has had a significant impact on Italy’s entertainment industry.
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6. Rocco Hunt
Rocco Hunt’s upbringing in the public housing of Salerno allows him to present an authentic urban perspective of Italy. He made his debut in 2011 and released his first album, Poeta Urbano, in 2013. Since then, he has released four more albums, with Rivoluzione in 2021 and Liberta in 2019 being the most well-received.
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7. Salmo
Salmo is a unique hip-hop artist who incorporates a forceful combination of rap, rock, and electronic music into his style. Originally from Olbia, he commenced his career in the 2000s as part of various rock bands before emerging as one of the top Italian rappers during the 2010s. He has an extensive discography, including popular albums such as Playlist from 2018 and Midnite from 2013, and has produced hit tracks like “Perdonami”, “Il cielo nella stanza”, and “La canzone nostra”.
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8. Lazza
In 2017, Lazza entered the music scene with a series of singles that led to his album, Zzala. He has been involved in music from a young age and grew up in Milan. Although he made his official debut in 2017, he began his career in hip-hop during the early 2010s and featured in several mixtapes. Lazza has achieved great success, having released three albums that reached number one, including Re Mida in 2019, J in 2020, and Sirio in 2022. Additionally, he has received over 12 platinum and gold records.
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9. SHIVA
In 2014, Shiva made his debut with the album La via del guerriero and has since launched various projects including Milano Demons and Dark Love in 2022 as well as four other albums and EPs. Being one of the youngest Italian rappers, Shiva is renowned for his popular tracks such as “Pensando a lei”, “Auto blu”, “Non lo Sai”, “Mon Fre”, “Bossoli”, and several other recent hits.
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10. Marracash
In the late 1990s, Marracash emerged as a hip hop artist in the local scene in Milan, although he later became a member of the Club Dogo group and released his first project, Roccia Music I, in the 2000s. He was born in Sicily but grew up in Milan, and his initial success led to a record deal with Universal, where he went on to release 9 albums and dozens of singles that achieved either gold or platinum status. This success has cemented his reputation as one of the greatest hip hop artists.
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11. thasup
Thasup, also known as producer Tha Supreme, is a skilled rapper and producer hailing from Fiumicino. His album, 23 6451, has set records as one of the most popular Italian albums of all time, with all 20 tracks placing in the top 20 positions on digital platforms’ Top 50 Italia. Although he is known for his elusive personality and avoidance of interviews, Tha Supreme has worked with numerous notable Italian hip hop musicians.
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12. Madame
Singer, rapper, and pop artist Madame initially gained popularity in 2018 when her single “Sciccherie” went viral. She has since released several singles and collaborations with notable artists throughout Italy, along with her self-titled debut album, Madame in 2021, featuring hit songs like “Voce” and “Il mio amico.” Overall, Madame is an emerging artist who has made a name for herself in the Italian hip-hop scene, but also with her prominent voice has her as one of the leading pop stars of Italy.
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13. Rkomi
Rkomi, who hails from Milan, made his debut in the music industry in the early to mid-2010s by working on various mixtapes and EPs. In 2017, he released his first album, Io in terra. He has since gone on to achieve great success, with three of his albums reaching number one on the charts. His album, Taxi Driver, has been his most successful, achieving 7x platinum status. Moreover, he has been involved in numerous hit songs as a solo artist, collaborator, or featured artist.
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14. Emis Killa
Emis Killa, who hails from Milan, started rapping when he was a teenager and made his entrance into the Italian music industry in 2009 by dropping his first mixtape, Keta Music. He rose to fame in 2012 with his debut album, L’erba cattiva, which topped the charts in Italy. Emis Killa has since released numerous successful albums and singles, and has collaborated with other well-known Italian artists.
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15. Fred De Palma
Fred De Palma began his music career in the early 2010s, releasing his first mixtape Rap Chronicles in 2012. He gained popularity in Italy with his hit single “D’Estate non Vale” in 2016, which received widespread airplay. He is known for his melodic style, catchy hooks, and collaborations with pop and Latin music artists, which have helped him to reach a broader audience beyond the Italian rap scene. He remains one of the most popular and influential Italian rappers of his generation.
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16. Paky
Paky, who hails from Naples and grew up in Milan, made his entry into Italy’s hip hop scene in 2018 with his track “Tutti i miei phrà”. However, his breakthrough hit was “Rozzi” in 2019. He is considered one of the rapidly emerging Italian rappers, and his debut album Salvatore has become one of the most successful albums in Italy in 2022.
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17. Coez
Coez is an artist originally from Rome who made his debut in 2009 with his album Figlio di nessuno. He became popular in Italy in 2015 with his hit song “Nella casa”. Known for his versatile style, Coez incorporates elements of pop, R&B, and electronic music into his music. He has released several albums, including his most successful ones, È sempre bello and Faccio un casino.
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18. Gemitaiz
Gemitaiz is a well-known and prolific artist from Rome who has an impressive repertoire of mixtapes and albums. He began releasing his work in the late 2000s, starting with collaborative mixtapes before moving on to his Quello che vi consiglio series, which he released across three volumes. In 2013, he released his debut album, L’unico compromesso, which was followed by a string of number one chart-topping releases. Gemitaiz is widely regarded as an exceptional artist in the music industry.
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19. Fabri Fibr
Fabri Fibr, a renowned Italian rapper, gained popularity in the 1990s as a member of the group Uomini di Mare. He hails from Senigallia and released his debut album, Turbe giovanili, in 2002. With more than 20 years of experience, Fabri Fibr has established himself as a prominent figure in Italian hip hop.
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20. Luche
Luchè, a rapper known for his storytelling style and representation of Naples through his music, was born in Naples and rose to fame as part of the hip hop duo Co’Sang. He has collaborated with several famous rappers and released his first album L1 in 2012. His album Potere was a huge success in 2018 and he has received numerous awards. With over 627 million streams, Luchè has 18 Platinum records and 9 Gold records.
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21. Tony Effe
Tony Effe, who comes from Rome, is a co-founder of “Dark Polo Gang,” an Italian rap group that was established in 2014. Their music genre is a mix of trap, punk, and emo. He started creating music at a young age and has since released numerous successful albums and singles, such as “Trap Lovers,” “Yoshi,” and “Dark Boys Club.” Apart from his contributions to Dark Polo Gang, Tony Effe has also released solo music and collaborated with other artists in the Italian music industry.
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22. Tedua
Tedua hails from Liguria and is a part of the musical collective Wild Bandana. Initially, he used to go by the name Duate. Tedua’s music is influenced by drill-style and comprises elements of hip-hop, trap, and alternative rock. Tedua has released a solo album, a mixtape, and several singles, and has collaborated with numerous Italian rap and hip-hop artists, as well as international artists. Tedua’s latest album, Badabum Cha Cha, was released in 2019 and received critical acclaim.
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23. Ernia
Ernia rose to prominence with the 2021 release of his project Gemelli. Following the album’s success, Ernia’s stock would only continue to rise with the follow up to Gemelli, Gemelli (ascendente Milano) and 2022’s Io non ho paura. Growing up in Milan, Ernia would make his debut in hip hop during the early 2010s linked besides several Italian rappers who are heavyweights, like Ghali, Gué Pequeno and Sfera Ebbasta. Ernia’s artistic journey is marked by his constant evolution and growth as a rapper.
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24. J-AX
J-AX is originally from the city of Milan and began his music career in the 1990s as a member of the rap group Articolo 31. The group achieved great success and helped popularize rap music in Italy. In 2006, J-AX began his solo career and has since released several successful albums. He is known for his catchy and upbeat songs, solidifying one of the most prominent legacies in Italian hip-hop.
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25. MAMBOLOSCO
MamboLosco, a musician whose preferred genres are hip hop, reggaeton, and trap, was born in Vicenza to an American father and an Italian mother. He started his music career in 2014 by recording his first songs and has since released numerous singles and an album named Bandido in 2021, featuring collaborations with other Italian rappers. MamboLosco’s music often delves into street culture and social commentary, covering a range of subjects.
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26. CLEMENTINO
Clementino first gained popularity after winning various freestyle competitions. His debut album Napolimanicomio was released in 2006, followed by I.E.N.A. in 2011 and Mea Culpa in 2013. Clementino has collaborated with notable Italian and international artists throughout his career and formed the group Rapstar with rapper Fabri Fibra. He has achieved gold record certifications and received recognition for his work, including the Best Video Award by MTV Italy.
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27. Noyz Narcos
Rome native Noyz Narcos began his music career at a young age. He gained recognition in the Italian hip-hop community as part of the TruceKlan group and has since released a number of successful albums, such as Non dormire, Verano zombie, and Guilty, and collaborated with other noteworthy Italian rappers. While he has been involved in various controversies, Noyz Narcos continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary Italian hip hop.
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28. Nitro
Known for his intense lyrics coupled with aggressive and chaotic beats, the Rome native Nitro has been making an impact in the Italian rap scene since the mid 2010s. Nitro’s music is known for its dark and surrealistic themes with a rapid-fire flow that brings a sense of urgency and intensity to his music. Throughout his career, Nitro has released several successful albums, including Suicidol (2015) and OUTSIDER (2023), while songs like “Pleasantville,” “Rotten,” and “Storia di un defunto artista” are just several of his popular songs.
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29. MadMan
Italian rapper MadMan is a rising star in the music industry, debuting in 2012 alongside Gemitaiz. While not as active of late, his collaborations with a number of notable artists and his solo work has landed him the radar of rap fans. In fact, he recently created a track in partnership with Ubisoft, inspired by the popular video game For Honor. This just goes to show that MadMan is not afraid to experiment and push boundaries in his music. Hailing from Rome, MadMan’s unique style and sound have helped him stand out in a crowded market.
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30. Vegas Jones
Making his entry during 2012 and 2013, Vegas Jones has been on a slow rise within the Italian hip hop scene. A combination of trap, hip-hop, and pop, Vegas Jones has released several popular tracks, like “Malbiu” and “Trankilo,” while releasing a number of praised projects, such as 2023’s Jones, but also a range of mixtapes like Oro Nero and Chic Nisello, and albums like Bellaria and La Bella Musica. With his captivating style, he is expected to achieve even greater success in the future.
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Honorable Mention Italian Hip Hop Artists
– Ketama126 Youtube: Ketama126 and Instagram: @Ketama126
– Dani Faiv Youtube: Dani Faiv and Instagram: @Dani Faiv
– ZODA Youtube: Zoda and Instagram: @ZODA
– DrefGold Youtube: DrefGold and Instagram: @DrefGold
– Enzo Dong Youtube: Enzo Dong and Instagram: @Enzo Dong
– Leon Faun Youtube: Leon Faun and Instagram: @Leon Faun
– Giaime Youtube: Giaime and Instagram: @Giaime
– lowlow Youtube: lowlow and Instagram: @lowlow
– Highsnob Youtube: Highsnob and Instagram: @Highsnob
– Master Sina Youtube: Master Sina and Instagram: @Master Sina
– Junior Cally Youtube: Junior Cally and Instagram: @Junior Cally
– Gianni Bismark Youtube: Gianni Bismark and Instagram: @Gianni Bismark
– Ensi Youtube: Ensi and Instagram: @Ensi
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*Unofficial Order. The more popular artists that have a combination of the most followers, streams, views, and most recent releases are near the top.
*If any artists are missing from the list email media@kulturevulturez.com