Rondodasosa, Italy’s Brightest Drill Star, Is Ready To Up The Stakes

Many have critiqued drill music as a genre that propagates, glorifies, and profits from violence. But the origins of hip-hop and its sub-genres have always been birthed out of a mixture of youth culture, political struggle, and artists with a deep desire for their voices to be heard in a hostile environment.

From drill’s humble beginnings in Chicago’s housing projects in the early 2010s, to UK drill formulating a completely new style since 2015—leaning on the shoulders of grime and trap—to finding homes in places like New York City, Australia and Spain, drill music and culture has become one of the fastest-growing movements for youth globally, and Italy’s Rondodasosa is one the latest acts to imprint his name on the international drill scene. 

Born in San Siro, Milan, Rondodasosa’s rise to notoriety is considered the blueprint for many up-and-coming artists in Italy. Upon the release of his remix to “Exposing Me” from the late Chicago drill artist King Von, titled “Face To Face”, the track quickly became one of his most successful singles, putting him on the map for all attentive ears to hear his artistry. He then released his debut EP, Giovane Rondo, in 2020 and it’s been up for him ever since.

A year later, Rondo would pick up features with renowned names, such as Central Cee: their collab, “Movie”, peaked at No. 26 in the Italian singles chart and went certified Gold. He would then go on to feature on Tion Wayne’s “Body” remix in 2019 before teaming up with Cench for a second time, this time for his own track “Eurovision”. 

We caught up with 20-year-old Rondodasosa to discuss his the Italian music industry and his disdain for it, the importance of staying connected with loved ones behind bars, and the difference between home love and international love. 

“It’s me vs the Italian music industry… I’m the first Italian rapper to blow up outside of Italy, and I know they’re jealous about that.”

COMPLEX: Many people associate the suburbs with wealth, but you grew up in the suburbs of Milan, Italy, where it was challenging growing up. How was that experience? 

Rondodasosa: It was different, bro. I come from another country, Italy, and it’s basically the same stuff: the same struggle, just a different location. When it comes to poverty and the struggle, it’s all the same everywhere, you know?

You got into some legal issues a few years ago, with you almost being sentenced to juvenile prison. What did you get into trouble for? 

I got in trouble for assault… But I don’t really want to go into that case, to be honest, because I’ve left that in the past now. It’s all positive vibes from here.

Fair enough, and great to hear you’re onto more positive things—like your music career. The first song you ever released, “Free Sammy”, was dedicated to your friend in prison. Why do you think brotherhood and staying connected with those incarcerated are important? 

I think brotherhood is super important, and when you make friends, you must hold the people you care about close. I don’t want my friend to feel isolated and alone in prison because it can be lonely. That’s why I named the song after him—so that he knows he hasn’t been forgotten. 

What drill artists in the UK and the US helped influence the artist you are today? 

Artists from the States or the UK don’t really influence me—I find my own style. But I listen to UK drill a lot and I love the music culture in the UK, especially in London.

Aside from the language barrier, what do you think the big difference is between UK and Italian drill? 

I’m one of the only drill artists in Italy, to be honest. But the drill songs in the UK are too similar; just a few drill rappers in the UK have their own sound. When it comes to Italian drill, it’s different because my producer and I always experiment with new sounds when making music. We use samples from electro beats or something like that, you know? It’s just different.

“You have to rap about what you live and what’s real to you. If people love your story, you’ll end up blowing up.”

Many have critiqued drill music as a genre that propagates, glorifies, and profits from violence. But the origins of hip-hop and its sub-genres have always been birthed out of a mixture of youth culture, political struggle, and artists with a deep desire for their voices to be heard in a hostile environment.

From drill’s humble beginnings in Chicago’s housing projects in the early 2010s, to UK drill formulating a completely new style since 2015—leaning on the shoulders of grime and trap—to finding homes in places like New York City, Australia and Spain, drill music and culture has become one of the fastest-growing movements for youth globally, and Italy’s Rondodasosa is one the latest acts to imprint his name on the international drill scene. 

Born in San Siro, Milan, Rondodasosa’s rise to notoriety is considered the blueprint for many up-and-coming artists in Italy. Upon the release of his remix to “Exposing Me” from the late Chicago drill artist King Von, titled “Face To Face”, the track quickly became one of his most successful singles, putting him on the map for all attentive ears to hear his artistry. He then released his debut EP, Giovane Rondo, in 2020 and it’s been up for him ever since.

A year later, Rondo would pick up features with renowned names, such as Central Cee: their collab, “Movie”, peaked at No. 26 in the Italian singles chart and went certified Gold. He would then go on to feature on Tion Wayne’s “Body” remix in 2019 before teaming up with Cench for a second time, this time for his own track “Eurovision”. 

We caught up with 20-year-old Rondodasosa to discuss his the Italian music industry and his disdain for it, the importance of staying connected with loved ones behind bars, and the difference between home love and international love. 

“It’s me vs the Italian music industry… I’m the first Italian rapper to blow up outside of Italy, and I know they’re jealous about that.”

COMPLEX: Many people associate the suburbs with wealth, but you grew up in the suburbs of Milan, Italy, where it was challenging growing up. How was that experience? 

Rondodasosa: It was different, bro. I come from another country, Italy, and it’s basically the same stuff: the same struggle, just a different location. When it comes to poverty and the struggle, it’s all the same everywhere, you know?

You got into some legal issues a few years ago, with you almost being sentenced to juvenile prison. What did you get into trouble for? 

I got in trouble for assault… But I don’t really want to go into that case, to be honest, because I’ve left that in the past now. It’s all positive vibes from here.

Fair enough, and great to hear you’re onto more positive things—like your music career. The first song you ever released, “Free Sammy”, was dedicated to your friend in prison. Why do you think brotherhood and staying connected with those incarcerated are important? 

I think brotherhood is super important, and when you make friends, you must hold the people you care about close. I don’t want my friend to feel isolated and alone in prison because it can be lonely. That’s why I named the song after him—so that he knows he hasn’t been forgotten. 

What drill artists in the UK and the US helped influence the artist you are today? 

Artists from the States or the UK don’t really influence me—I find my own style. But I listen to UK drill a lot and I love the music culture in the UK, especially in London.

Aside from the language barrier, what do you think the big difference is between UK and Italian drill? 

I’m one of the only drill artists in Italy, to be honest. But the drill songs in the UK are too similar; just a few drill rappers in the UK have their own sound. When it comes to Italian drill, it’s different because my producer and I always experiment with new sounds when making music. We use samples from electro beats or something like that, you know? It’s just different.

“You have to rap about what you live and what’s real to you. If people love your story, you’ll end up blowing up.”