Mahmood on the cover of GQ Middle East

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After his successful appearance on the Eurovision stage in 2019, the Italian/Egyptian singer Alessandro Mahmoud, known professionally as Mahmood, strikes again, this time on te cover of the very famous issue of GQ in its Middle Eastern edition.

Taking into account the success of his Eurovision entry “Soldi” with its pioneering structure and rhythm, GQ says that he aims for the top. This  can be seen from the title of the cover:“Mahmood: Pop’s New Megastar Defies Every Rule.”

Apparently Mahmood defies everything in his life. From his glamourous and conspicuous dress code to his criticizers. One of his criticizers, after his victory in San Remo in 2019, was the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Matteo Salvini, who commented his preference for the runner up Ultimo and questioned whether Soldi was the best song to represent Italy. Matteo Salvini’s stance was not a surprise since he is very strict regarding immigration and asylum issues, plus Soldi includes some lyrics in Arabic.

In his interview on GQ magazine, Mahmood chose to point out to the positive side of this drama.

“I think that in any big number of people, there’s always someone who will understand the right story, the right message. It’s important to speak to those people. And there will always be people who speak against you. Against your race, your politics. They’ll always exist.”

As far as his music heritage is concerned, he said that:

“It’s very, very important to me. I think that all my roots are in my music. I want to speak about my story. My past. It’s important for me to tell a story in which people can see their own stories. So many people sent me messages on Instagram saying, ‘Thank you for this, it’s like you’re talking about my life.’ It’s important for me to put my Arabic roots, my Sardinian roots and my Italian roots into the music.”

Source: Wiwibloggs

 

Italy: The artists rumored to be participating in Sanremo 2021!

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RAI assures that Sanremo 2021 will be held normally with the public on March 2-6, of course observing the necessary protection measures. The big Italian music magazine, All Music Italia, mentions the first rumored names of artists, who we will probably see competing in the Big Category of the Festival.

Among those rumored to be claiming the Sanremo Golden Lion are former winners as well as former participants, some of the biggest names in the country’s music scene. But let’s look at them in detail.

The female presences

The winner of the latest version of Amici di Maria De Filippi, Gaia, is considered almost certain, despite her excellent response on the radio, her debut album did not even turn gold. Other female presences are the experienced ones, Annalisa, Elodie and Nuda. Another chance to claim three singers who became famous through the X Factor, Giusy Ferreri, Noemi and Chiara Galiazzo. Finally, there are some rumors about the return of Francesca Michielin, who in 2016 won second place at the Festival, but represented Italy at Eurovision, as the Stadio winners did not accept the right to represent their country in the competition.

The artists of the new generation

A dynamic presence may be given by artists who are loved by the young audience. Among them is Irama, for the third consecutive year. A surprise that would excite the very young audience could be Fede’s official solo debut or as he is called Federico Rossi. Another debut, this time coming from the world of rap, would be that of Random which, obviously, would have the track ready. Four years after his first appearance, Amadeus seems to want to bring Michele Bravi to Ariston.

The most experienced

There are rumors about the return of the winners of 2018, Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro, but as a solo this time. But a return to the Festival seems to be possible for Samuel, Bogo, Leo Gassmann, but also for Gigi D’Alessio.

The bands

The presence of the bands in Sanremo is constant, so this year it is rumored that we will see some of the most successful bands in Italy. Nomadi, The Kolors and Matia Bazar are also likely to be on the Ariston stage in March.

The least likely

Next to the above names that are considered more probable are others, who are just preparing their album and probably their record company will want to send them to the Festival, in order to promote their record work. Among men, for example, Amedeo Minghi, Antonio Maggio, Virginio, Tricarico, Lorenzo Fragola, Alex Britti, Alessio Bernabei and among women Mietta, Paola Turci, Deborah Iurato, Markella, the trio Mariella Nava / Grazia De Michele / Rossana Casale, Nina Zilli, Dolcenera, Rettore, Simona Molinari etc.

Amadeus goals

But Amadeus seems to have three artists high on his list who he is trying to persuade to be in Sanremo. We are talking about three singers who are at the peak of their careers and if it brings either all three or some of them then the interest will increase unbelievably. They are Biagio Antonacci, Luca Carboni and Giorgia.

Of course, as we have already mentioned to you, the announcement of the names will take place in mid-December and until then many things will change and will be overturned. What is certain is that Amadeus has a very difficult task to overcome, since the 54% viewership recorded by Sanremo 2020 is the largest viewership since 1997 and if it wants to surpass it it must have, if nothing else, a list of competitors for everything. musical tastes and this is something he knows well.

Source: All Music Italia

Italy: RAI’s decisions for Sanremo 2021!

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Following the ambiguous statements of the artistic director and presenter of the festival, Amadeus and the general director of RAI1, Stefano Coletta, the Italian public television clarifies that Sanremo 2021 will take place with an audience, while describing how this will happen.

In early September, Amadeus said in an interview that RAI did not have a Plan B for Sanremo 2021 and that if the pandemic did not allow the physical presence of the public on the stands of the Teatro Ariston and the members of the live orchestra, then the festival would not take place at all. Then Stefano Coletta, director of RAI1, denied Amadeus, saying that it is not possible to have a year without Sanremo, since there are big contracts with commercials and that what will happen if the festival is not possible in March, is to be postponed for later.

RAI is now clarifying that Sanremo 2021 will take place normally with an audience and even unexpectedly on the dates that have already been announced (March 2-6). The number of the audience that will be in Ariston will be decided later and those who finally manage and secure a ticket, to enter the event must have a negative test for COVID-19, while there will be thermal cameras throughout, for continuous monitoring of suspected cases.

There are many details that still need to be resolved, such as the number of accredited journalists, the arrangement of the members of the live orchestra, etc. The change of dates of Sanremo 2021 will take place only in the last case when it will not be possible for the festival to take place in March.

We remind you that on December 17, in the final night of selection of the six artists (two more will be selected by the AreaSanremo academy) of the “Giovani” category, through the frequency of RAI1 we will find out the names of the candidates in the big category. We are also waiting for the regulations of Sanremo 2021, to see if in 2021 Italy will finally choose its representative in Eurovision through the Festival or if Diodato or another artist will be re-selected, with internal selection.

Source: velvetmusic.it

Italy: Sanremo 2021 will take place whatever it needs. RAI1 director refutes Amadeus statements!

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Amadeus, who is the host and artistic director of Sanremo 2021, said in a recent interview that if the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic does not allow the presence of the audience and the members of the live orchestra at the Teatro Ariston, then the festival will not take place at all. The director of RAI1, Stefano Coletta, denies Amadeus, after he clarifies that Sanremo will be held whatever the circumstances regarding the coronavirus. Read more

Italy: Diodato returns to Arena di Verona to sing again “Fai Rumore”!

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“The killer” always returns to the crime scene and the same seems to be true for Diodato, who returned to the Arena di Verona to perform Fai Rumore once again at the Seat Music Awards. This time, in fact, there was a presence of the public, observing all the prescribed measures and distances to combat the pandemic of COVID-19. Read more

Italy: Sanremo 2021 will be held with the audiece or will be cancelled | The announcement date of “Campioni” names!

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RAI has already announced the dates, the presenter and artistic director of Sanremo 2021, while in the coming days the rules of the 71st Italian Song Festival will be announced. Amadeus, who will be the festival’s presenter and artistic director for the second year in a row, explains that Sanremo will take place normally as we know it and if this is not possible due to the pandemic, then it will not take place at all! Read more

Italy: “Fai Rumore” on the streets because of the coronavirus

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For a week now, starting in Lombardy, Italy has been in full quarantine due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, as both outbreaks and deaths in the country have been increasing steadily.

Italy’s once-crowded streets are now reminiscent of a dead country, with its citizens unwilling to remain quiet for much longer, wishing to make “some noise” as the title of this year’s Eurovision entry, “Fai Rumore ”.

From the balconies, windows and ceilings of their homes, the Italians are trying to regain some courage because of the pandemic that has ravaged the planet, singing “Fai Rumore” while following the instructions of the state to stay in their homes ( #RestaACasa).

Diodato, for his part, shares via his Instagram account, posts by locals who reproduce “Fai Rumore” loudly on the quieter streets of Italy.

The lyrics of “Fai Rumore” fit perfectly into suffocating quiet Italy as the song refers to an unusual tranquility among people:

You make noise here
And I don’t know if it’s good for me
If your noise suits me
But make noise, yes
Because I can’t stand it
This unnatural silence
Between me and you.

https://youtu.be/TA57rugucwk

Italy: Artists rumored for Sanremo 2020

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In less than two months, the 70th Sanremo Festival will take place, and the winner will be honored to represent Italy at Eurovision 2020. All this time, the media continues to speculate on what artists we will see on stage, in Teatro Ariston, to compete for the “golden lion”.

With a slight delay over previous years, we will find out on January 6 – during the Special Lottery – the names of the 20 participants of the 70th anniversary edition of the festival. Some argue that, given the amount of proposals, their number could increase.

The two biggest music sites in the country (All Music Italia and floral music), which usually fall in the midst of most forecasts, have been rumored for days. So let’s look at the names they mention.

The Eurostars who return

Several former Italian names in the song contest appear to be trying to get back on the Eurovision stage through Sanremo 2020.

The name that definitely stands out is that of Francesco Gabbani who represented Italy at Eurovision 2017 with “Occidentali’s Kara”. For Francesco we informed you again in our previous article. Following the moderate acceptance of his summer single “Altro cosa”, Sanremo is the best way to promote his new job.

Raphael Gualazzi and Nina Zilli also want to join. The first one entered Eurovision in 2011 with second place with “Madness of Love”, the last with “L’amor e femmina” next year, reaching ninth place. The question is whether their record labels – Sugar and Universal – give priority to them and not to some of their other colleagues.

Perhaps the most famous couple on the Italian music scene, Al Bano & Romina, who represented Italy twice at Eurovision (1976 and 1985), both winning seventh place, return to Ariston 30 years later.

Two other eurostars likely to compete at Sanremo 2020, though only as composers, are Mahmood, this year’s Eurovision essential triumph, with a track written for Chiara Galiazzo and Fabrizio Moro, who won fifth place in 2018 together with Ermal Meta, and will sign Noemi’s participation.

The other names

Among the names we might see at Sanremo 2020 is Matteo Bocelli, his son Andrea, who could begin his solo career, where it all began for his father.

Irama, considered a favorite in 2019 and possibly disappointed by the seventh place he eventually received, and Elodie, are likely to try in 2020 as well.

A band beloved by fans of the competition in 2018, The Kolors will strive for something better than the eighth place they took then.

The names of Federica Carta and Riccardo “Riki” Marcuzzo are also mentioned, though they will be chosen only if they have a very strong song.

Giusy Ferreri will be present as either a performer or a songwriter, and is already looking for a song that will stand out at the Sanremo festival, as she has not been able to stand out in all her previous entries.

Last but not least, Anastasio, the last winner of the X Factor, is among the candidates. The rapper is called to release his debut album. A participation in the Sanremo Festival will be the appropriate advertisement for both his record label and March tour, which he has already announced.

The 70th Sanremo Song Festival will take place at Teatro Ariston in the small town of Liguria, San Remo, from February 4 to February 8, 2020.

Image/Source: eurofestivalnews

Italy: €40 million in advertising revenue for Sanremo 2020 broadcasts

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RAI and the new artistic director of the Sanremo Festival, Amadeus, are in a fever pitch to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the historic music festival. As the Italian public television announced recently, the advertising time during the 5-day broadcast of the Sanremo 2020 has already been sold, for a record price of 40 million Euros!

The advertising time during the broadcasts of the 70th Sanremo Italian Song Festival costs approx. 12.000 per second! Of course the exclusive rights of Sanremo are reserved by RAI, which proves that a public television can be both competitive, commercial, and quality!

Advertising time has been sold for all five nights of the festival. RAI earns a record $ 40 million and is the most expensive television time in the country!

The Mediterranean RAI exemplifies in other similar public TVs that when you invest somewhere over time, producing a good result, then you have a program, but you also have income.

We remind you that the 20 artists of the Campioni category of the Sanremo 2020 will be announced in a special show by Amadeus on January 6th. The 70th Sanremo Song Festival will take place at Teatro Ariston in the small town of Liguria, San Remo, from February 4 to February 8, 2020.

Source: RAI

Italy: Francesco Gabbani back to Sanremo 2020

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A few days ago, an interview that was discussed was given by Francesco Gabbani on fanpage, one of the largest artistic portals in the country. The Italian superstar has revealed that his new song could do well at the Sanremo Festival, and has also postponed its release for the beginning of next year after the 70th Sanremo Festival, which he said would not exclude his participation!

Who is Francesco Gabbani?

Surely most of you still remember Francesco Gabbani from his win at Sanremo three years ago and his subsequent participation in Eurovision 2017 in Kiev with “Occidentali’s Karma”. There, while he was one of the biggest betting favorites to have ever gone through the history of the contest, with odds ranging from 1 to 1.3, he was eventually limited to sixth place in the standings.

Nevertheless, he remains one of the most popular Italian singers, with countless sold out appearances, platinum records and millions of streams on Spotify and views on YouTube. He also holds the record with the most millions of views on YouTube for participating in the Eurovision Song Contest.More than 228 million at the time of writing this article.

With Duemeladiciannove at Sanremo 2020?

His new song is called “Duemeladiciannove” and he dedicates it to his fans, who have been supporting him for so many years. It has  social content like “Occidentai’s Karma” and Gabbani’s original intention was to release it in the days ahead.

But eventually, and apparently because of his desire to re-attend the Sanremo Festival, he moved his release date for the first months of 2020. He also admits that he would be very positive about such a possibility and that “Duemeladiciannove” could have a very good run at the Festival.

Of course, in order to see Francesco Gabbani among the Sanremo 2020 contestants, Amadeus has to choose him. This, of course, is not unlikely, since artists such as Francesco Gabbani will raise the interest of the public and the media. The 20 artists of the Campioni category will be announced in a special show by Amadeus on January 6th, so we’ll know if Francesco Gabbani is among them.

We remind you that the 70th Sanremo Festival will take place from 4 to 8 February 2020 at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo. The winner of the Festival will be given the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision 2020 next May in Rotterdam. You can refer to our previous article on the detailed rules and how the winner of the Sanremo 2020 will emerge.

Source: fanpage.it