Capo Plaza: “Defeats are as important as victories”

A “young champion”, like the title of the song which, in 2017, helped project him into the Olympus of the most listened to new generation rappers, is back on the field. After the limelight, Capo Plaza struggled, he was left disoriented and crushed by the speed with which he achieved success and this, inevitably, also made his music less lucid and powerful, as demonstrated by the 2021 album “Plaza”. which did not provide a clear snapshot of its potential. The 26-year-old rapper from Salerno is now back with “Ferite”, an album in which he talks about difficulties and fears, but not only that. His third album is also a project of revenge, reaction and personal discovery.

Is this an album more about struggle or awareness?
It's a record more about awareness even if the struggle is still there, it's not over. Awareness, for me, was important to focus on who I am, what I want, what is truly relevant. All that glitters is not gold. Suffering is part of everyone's life, even those who are financially well off. It's true, money makes you live better, but it doesn't really make you happy. Happiness has nothing material. I believe that this album also makes us understand that life is a struggle, it's a struggle in facing it and in living it, if it weren't like this it would be a walk in the park and instead it's an uphill climb.

The project is large, consisting of 18 songs. Was it created primarily to be an outlet?
Yes, it was a real help in understanding myself, but also the reflection of a journey. Let me explain: this album is part of a human process, it is my biggest challenge because I opened up like never before. It was possible because I grew up, I started to love other genres besides rap, I learned that locking yourself in your own house accomplishes nothing. I don't have a character, Luca is Chief Plaza and vice versa, and therefore if one grows, the other also grows, being the same thing.

There are also more open collaborations such as those with Mahmood and Annalisa.
It was natural. We have known each other for a long time with Annalisa, we wanted to do a piece together even before her boom in the last year and a half. With Mahmood we created a song for this album, but there is also a lot of respect for her song (“Neve sulle Jordan”, ed.). Growing pushes boundaries: experimenting and testing is important. And I believe that everything is part of hip hop, which can be protest, emotions, fun, the desire to talk about oneself intimately. This album offers a broad overview.

In “Memories” you say “fuck it, it's a war for first place, I'm at war with nobody, I just want to stay in place.
The “wounds” are the true thread of the project. You bleed after a battle, whether you win or lose. It's a record of victories and defeats. My greatest idols turned their defeats into opportunities to become even greater. In life defeats are as important as victories. I believe it was right to tell fans about one's dark moments, rap is also this.

Let's try to explain the reason for your darkness: you achieve success at a very young age and everything around you changes. Have you lost your balance?
It was difficult to realize everything and manage the situation. I grew up quickly. I thank heaven for the success achieved, but there are consequences, especially the loss of spontaneity. Getting an ice cream in the center or taking a walk freely is no longer possible when many people know who you are. Furthermore, you are thrown into jobs and numbers, as well as bureaucratic issues, which are uncommon for a boy.

Have you ever thought about stopping?
Yes, it has happened, many times. They were temporary burnouts, perhaps daily. Then I immediately returned to focus. Many artists have them. But I want to say one thing: this type of reflection, that is, the one that starts from the question “do I want to continue or stop?”, is actually done by anyone who experiences their work in an all-encompassing way and reaches a certain point in which they are very down or tired. You too as a journalist will have asked yourself these questions, and it happens to other categories and workers too.

Who do you want to talk to musically?
To several generations. It's an album that speaks to young people, but also to older people. It wasn't decided on the table, I trusted the work process which led me to collaborate, even in feats, with very different artists.

With “Soldi arrotolati” you return to making music with Anna, again with Ava's production, after the success of “Vetri neri”. Did you want to do something different?
Yes, Anna and I love American rap. Anna, who for me is the strongest female rapper in Europe at the moment, when I sent her the song she recorded her part in her house, she was so excited. We made a banger piece with a bit of arrogance, I think in the clubs she will give some joys.

You also wanted to give space to two guys from the new scene: Tony Boy and Artie 5ive.
For me, hip hop is this, it's a movement, it's a culture, it's giving each other a hand to push the boundaries of music. This is why I wanted two rookies with me, they are my two favorites at the moment. I don't feel like a rookie, I feel like a LeBron James of the scene and it is therefore essential to support emerging players.

What is not understood about Capo Plaza?
In previous records I told myself less, but not because I didn't want to, but because I was really smaller. I don't feel like a sensei today, of course, but certainly, by looking inside myself, I have learned to show myself. I believe that this album, for me, is the beginning of a new way of making music.