Volevo fare il rapper

Song Meaning

The narrator feels pressured to conform to a superficial, career-driven path, a stark contrast to his authentic artistic aspirations. He's bombarded with advice to "parla più di te" (talk more about yourself) and "studiati un personaggio" (invent a persona), all aimed at navigating a "politica mafiosa" (mafia-like politics) and securing superficial benefits like "ingressi omaggio" (free entry). This external pressure clashes with his desire for genuine expression, leading him to reject the idea of "leccare i culi" (kissing ass) in favor of something more grounded, even if it's just "giardinaggio" (gardening) or dealing with his own anxieties. The core tension lies between the demands of the industry and the narrator's artistic integrity. He's told to manage "emozioni" (emotions) and engage in "pubbliche relazioni" (public relations) to "funzioni" (function) and "evitare guerre" (avoid wars), essentially becoming a polished, palatable figure. This advice is framed as a means to success, but the narrator sees it as a betrayal of his true goal: to be a rapper, not a "PR." The repeated dismissal of these industry tactics highlights his disillusionment with the transactional nature of the scene. A striking element is the narrator's raw depiction of his mental state, juxtaposed with the external pressures. He describes living "tra una crisi d'ansia e un attacco di panico" (between an anxiety attack and a panic attack), taking medicine he then spits out, comparing himself to "pazzi in manicomio" (crazy people in an asylum). This vulnerability is a powerful counterpoint to the advice he receives, suggesting that the very system pushing him to perform is exacerbating his internal struggles. The imagery of spitting out medicine and the recurring "demonio vade retro" (devil, be gone) reveal a desperate attempt to reject both his inner turmoil and the external forces demanding conformity. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they capture the struggle of an artist trying to maintain authenticity in a world that rewards artifice. The narrator's refusal to adopt a "lingua a ventosa" (suction cup tongue) or dress like a "morto di fame" (starving person) while pretending to be rich, and his disdain for the performative aspects of the industry, speak to a deeper desire for genuine connection and artistic truth. The raw, almost chaotic expression of his anxieties, coupled with his blunt rejection of industry norms, makes his aspiration to simply "fare il rapper" feel like a defiant act of self-preservation.