What’s Popping in Italian Pop Music in 2009?
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What’s Popping in Italian Pop Music in 2009? We take a look at the top songs and artists in the genre, and what’s making them so popular.
Introducing the artists
The contemporary Italian pop scene is made up of a variegated mix of established and up-and-coming artists – a sort of “who’s who” of the Italian music world. Based on sales, awards, and public opinion, these are some of the artists that are currently making waves in the Italian pop music industry.
The Sounds of Italian Pop Music
As 2009 comes to a close, a new decade is on the horizon. 2010 holds much promise and with it, new music. Italian pop music has been on the rise in recent years with artists such as Jovanotti, Tiziano Ferro, and Laura Pausini leading the way.
Tiziano Ferro
Tiziano Ferro is an Italian singer, songwriter, producer and distributor of both his own and other artists’ works. He rose to prominence in 2002 with his international hit “Perdono” and has since release seven studio albums, all of which have topped the Italian, Swiss and Dutch album charts. In 2009, Ferro’s latest album “Alla Mia Eta” (At My Age) was released to critical acclaim.
Laura Pausini
Laura Pausini is one of the most popular Italian pop singers of the moment. She has enjoyed success both in Italy and abroad, and her 2009 album Primavera in anticipo was a massive hit. The album featured the singles “Invece no” and “Primavera in anticipo”, both of which were hugely successful. Laura Pausini is a very popular artist, and her music is sure to be a big hit in 2009.
Eros Ramazzotti
Eros Luciano Walter Ramazzotti (born 28 October 1963) is an Italian singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. Since 1984, Ramazzotti has released 11 studio albums including one Spanish language album and three compilation albums along with 38 singles, all of which have hit the top ten in various European countries. He has sold over 55 million records in his 25 year career.
Ramazzotti was born in Cinecittà Est, a suburb of Rome, the son of a housewife and a bus driver. His father’s grandparents had emigrated from BorgoSan Giuliano (Province of Modena) to Argentina. His mother’s parents came from Veneto. He was named after Eros, the Greek god of love.
At the age of 17, he moved to Milan with the intention of becoming a musician and within a short time had landed his first record deal. His debut album Piccolo uomo was released in 1984 and contained three hit singles ” Ad un amico “, “Terra promessa” and “Una storia importante”. The second album Nuovi eroi followed in 1986 reaching double platinum certification in Italy[2] and spawning another number one hit “Stella gemella”. In 1987 he toured throughout Europe opening concerts for Diana Ross where he sung “I Belong To You” on her global hit single with him Force Behind The Power as well as opening for Whitney Houston for some dates of her European tour for her number-one album Whitney .
The Themes of Italian Pop Music
In 2009, Italian pop music was all about love- both requited and unrequited. From heartbreak to first love, these were the songs that Italians were singing along to. While the majority of the songs were focused on love, there were also a few songs that tackled other themes such as:
Love
Love is a feeling that we have all experienced at one time or another. From young love to unrequited love, this emotion can take many different forms. In Italian pop music, love is often portrayed as a beautiful, but also dangerous, emotion. These songs tend to be about the highs and lows of being in love, and how one should be careful not to get too caught up in it.
Some popular Italian pop songs about love include “Cuore Nero” by Tiziano Ferro, “Io Ti Amero” by Andrea Bocelli, and “Per dirti ciao!” by Tiziano Ferro. These songs all deal with different aspects of love, but they all convey the same message: that love is a powerful emotion that should be experienced with caution.
Relationships
One of the most popular themes in Italian pop music is relationships. This can be seen in songs such as “Sei nell’anima” by Gemelli Diversi, “Il mio giorno migliore” by Giorgia, and “In assenza di te” by Laura Pausini. All of these songs deal with the ups and downs of relationships, and how to deal with heartache. This is a theme that is relatable to many people, no matter what country they are from.
Another popular theme in Italian pop music is having a good time. This can be seen in songs such as “Bella storia” by Stefano Accorsi, “E io penso a te” by Luca Barbarossa, and “Senza regole” by Tiziano Ferro. These songs are all about enjoying life and living in the moment. They are upbeat and make the listener want to get up and dance. This is a great way to get people interested in Italian pop music.
Italian pop music has something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a song to help you get through a tough break-up, or one that will make you want to hit the dance floor, you can find it in Italian pop music.
Heartbreak
In 2009, broken hearts were a popular theme in Italian pop music.Many songs were released that detailed the sorrows and struggles that come with a failed relationship. Artists such as Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti, and Tiziano Ferro all released successful singles that dealt with the pain of love lost.
Pausini’s song “Non ho mai smesso” (“I Never Stopped”) was a huge hit in Italy and other European countries. The single spent several weeks at the top of the charts and was certified double platinum by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. The lyrics describe Pausini’s regrets over a past relationship and her hope that someday she will be able to forget the pain she feels and move on.
Eros Ramazzotti also had a great deal of success with his single “Parla con me” (“Talk to Me”). The song topped the charts in Italy and several other countries and was certified platinum by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. “Parla con me” deals with the hurt and frustration that comes with trying to communicate with a former lover who is now indifferent to your feelings.
Tiziano Ferro’s single “Perdono” (“I Forgive”) was another big hit in 2009. The song topped the charts in Italy and was certified double platinum by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. “Perdono” is about a man who is trying to come to terms with the fact that his relationship is over. He sings about how he still loves his former partner but he knows that it is time to let go and move on with his life.
The Future of Italian Pop Music
As the new year unfolds, a fresh crop of Italian pop acts are poised to take over the airwaves. From the upbeat to the ballad, 2009 is shaping up to be a year full of new music from some of Italy’s top performers. Who will dominate the charts?
New Artists
In 2009, a number of new artists are emerging on the Italian pop music scene. These artists are bringing a fresh sound to the genre and are sure to appeal to a wide range of listeners. Here are some of the newer artists that you should keep an eye on in the coming year.
-Alessandra Amoroso: Amoroso is a 22-year-old singer from Salerno who rose to fame after appearing on the popular Italian talent show “Amici di Maria De Filippi.” She has released two successful albums and is currently one of the most popular singers in Italy.
-Giusy Ferreri: Ferreri is a 26-year-old singer from Sicily who also gained fame after appearing on “Amici di Maria De Filippi.” She has released one album and several hit singles, including “Novembre,” which was named Song of the Year at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards.
-Tiziano Ferro: Ferro is a 30-year-old singer from Latina who has been active in the Italian music scene since 2000. He has released four albums and has won numerous awards, including Best Male Artist at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards.
-Laura Pausini: Pausini is a 36-year-old singer from Faenza who has been active since 1993. She has released nine albums and has won numerous awards, including Best Female Artist at the 2006 Latin Grammy Awards.
New Sounds
Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable shift in the sound of Italian pop music. While the classic “Three Tenors” sound – with itsemphasis on powerful vocal performances – still has a strong presence, there is an increasing number of artists who are exploring new sonic territory. This is most apparent in the growing popularity of electronic music, which is being incorporated into mainstream pop songs as well as being released as standalone tracks.
One of the most prominent figures in this trend is producer and DJ Federico Scavo, whose 2010 remix of Tiziano Ferro’s “Breathe Easy” became a top-ten hit in Italy. Other artists who have experiment with electronic sounds include J-Ax (formerly of rap group Articolo 31), Nicola Fasano, and Alex Gaudino.
This shift towards more experimental sounds is indicative of a larger change taking place within Italian pop music. For much of the past decade, the genre has been dominated by singers who rely heavily on pre-recorded tracks and auto-tune to create their polished sound. However, there is a new generation of artists who are eschewing these artificial elements in favor of a more organic approach.
Some notable examples include singer-songwriter Giovanni Allevi, who often uses classical piano compositions as the basis for his songs; indie rock band Calibro 35, whose vintage sound is achieved through the use of analog instruments; and rappers Ensi and Ztl, who have built their careers on self-produced tracks that mix traditional rap with trap music.
This return to more traditional pop sounds issure to please long-time fans of the genre while also opening up Italy’s musical landscape to new audiences.
New Themes
As 2009 dawns, a new generation of Italian musicians is coming to the fore, and they’re introducing some new themes in Italian pop music.
For years, the biggest names in Italian pop music have been singers like Luciano Ligabue and Tiziano Ferro. But now a new generation of artists is starting to make its presence felt.
One of the most prominent new names on the scene is J-Ax, whose real name is Alessandro Aleotti. He first came to prominence as a member of the group Articolo 31, but he has now embarked on a solo career.
J-Ax is known for his irreverent lyrics and his disdain for the established order. In one of his most famous songs, “Giovane Aviatore” (Young Aviator), he takes aim at the rich and powerful, slating them for flying around in private jets while ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet.
Another newcomer who is making waves is Marco Carta. He shot to fame after winning the popular television talent show “Amici di Maria De Filippi” (Friends of Maria De Filippi). His debut album, “Mandami Un Sms” (Send Me A Text Message), went straight to number one in the Italian charts.
Carta’s style is very different from J-Ax’s. His songs are more romantic and melodic, and he has been dubbed Italy’s answer to Michael Buble. In fact, one of his biggest hits is a cover version of Buble’s “Home.”
So what does the future hold for Italian pop music? It looks like it could be an exciting time, with a new generation of artists introducing some fresh ideas and sounds.