Southside Records: from Palermo to Italy in the name of rap
Southside Records it’s a reality that is increasingly and deservedly being talked about more in Palermo, his hometown: the collective and label made up of rappers and producers are based in the Sicilian capital. An idea born from three young people, friends first of all, guided by the passion for this musical genre and for hip hop culture in generalall three with the dream of rewriting the pages of the history of the city, and of Sicily in general, bringing out the purest talents of this territory. The three founders of Southside Records are Ferdinando Rizzuto, Sebastiano Purpura and Mauro Padovano. The artists who make up the group and the label, giving a true identity to the project, starting with the rappers, are: Don Pietro (in the next few weeks it will be released with a production of 2ndRoof)
, La Flèche, Ohdio, 3tr3, Ren, Argento Vivo and Kimba; while the producers: Achille G, wherestheplug and Wave Off.
Achille Gfor example, last summer, he signed an important piece for his career: “Una notte”, a single featuring the participation of Villa Banks and Baby K. Southside Records is precisely a collective, but also a full-fledged record label that sees the light in 2021. Therefore it is a broader project, which wants to become more and more structured, becoming a point of reference and turning on the spotlight: “We have a vision and a concrete objective, which is to bring the Sicilian capital and Sicily in general onto the map of the Italian rap scene, making everyone stand out those kids who often have few opportunities to show themselves and make themselves known”, explain the founders. The strength of the artists involved undoubtedly lies in their strong belonging to the reality in which they move, to streets of Palermo where they grew up.
“Representing” one’s world is a value, as well as a desire, that they all have in common. “They are capable of offering their vision with poetic impetus and impactful storytellingoften giving an unfiltered representation of the places from which – continue the three founders – the local and regional press, but also some important sector magazines that are very relevant on the national territory, have been showing some interest in Southside artists for a while now. And this can only be an element of gratification for our work. 2023 ended with important milestones for our rappers and producers: several collaborations with names from the national rap scene and the first certifications have also arrived”.
It is often discussed milan-centrism of music and the limited possibility for many young people, far from the city of Milan or northern Italy, to get noticed and stand out in the industry. Southside Records, in this, is an example because, very tied to its roots, it acts as a springboard. “For all of us this is not just a project, but a vision that arises from a precise plan, that of allowing those who are ‘down’, more or less metaphorically, to put on wings and rise – they conclude – and for us there are no plans B or C. No alternatives. Southside Records wants this to not only be the dream of a group of boys and girls, artists, producers, video makers, administrative figures and communicators, butand the dream of a united city, of an island that must not be isolated. We want the artists of this Region and city to have the space they deserve. We want to help them and follow them in every respect. Quoting one of our rappers ‘we are the voice of those who don’t speak’”.
