Tony Effe in Sanremo: “I grew up with Venditti’s songs”

Guest of Rockol Lounge, at the headquarters of the Tenco club, Tony Effe tells his “Damme ‘na hand”, the song that sees him in the race in Sanremo 2025. For the evening of the duets and covers, however, the Roman rapper chose To present together with Noemi “everything else is boredom” by Franco Califano.

What does Rome represent for you?

It’s a bit of everything, it’s my inspiration, my city, the city that grew me. Many beautiful things, even childhood things, everything, are my memories, it is the most beautiful thing I have.

What are you inspired by your song?

At the legends of Rome, from Nino Manfredi, to Califano and Venditti. I grew up with those songs. When I was going to eat in Rione Monti as a child in the restaurants there were always stornellators, so it was drinking and sang.

Who transmitted love for the city to you?

My neighborhood, growing in Rione Monti. There I still have my friends. It’s my childhood and I continued to carry it on. Even many of my friends work with me, so we are always united, all together.

Is the song with which you are competing in Sanremo, “Damme ‘na hand”, is a challenge with yourself?

I like the songs that are difficult to make for me, such as “Damme ‘na hand”. I get involved, I put myself to the test, I like to get out of the comfort zone. I always try to do new things, trying to do them at best.

How was this song born?

Initially we wanted to do a very Italian thing, so with guitars. Then as Italian at the end it became Roman, then referred to the stornellators. With Diego (Drillionaire) we worked on the beat, everything went very naturally. Davide Petrella, in Tropico, was then added, who helped me a lot on the refrain.

From the beginning you have always had an international imagination, but with a highly Italian imprint. Is it a distinctive trait of all your music?

Yes, surely. With the Dark Polo Gang initially there was that imaginary Italy and Church. At one point as a boy I started listening to rap. However, I believe that Italian music, even abroad, is very strong. So it is also right to bring it back and try to modernize that type of music.

You brought to Sanremo a very particular performance, presenting yourself in a Lindo way. Why this stylistic choice?

I wanted to put myself naked. I know it was also a desire for my mother to see me on stage without tattoos. So I did it a little for her, a little to put myself naked, a little for this sense of purity. A little also for what people would like to see.

You have never satisfied people too much though …

It was a bit also a provocation, in fact.

For the evening of the covers you chose to duet with Noemi on “everything else is boredom” by Franco Califano. How was this choice born?

Initially I wanted to bring a song by Califano. And she also wanted to bring a song by Califano. Both because she has a beautiful voice, and because it is from Rome. And in the refrain it is the best thing that could be there. However, the refrain put me a little in difficulty, so we decided to join forces and do this.

Is it more difficult to sing something that requires a certain technique, a certain approach, or in some way to isolate yourself from all that is not music, like gossip?

At the first release I know that I took out the second refrain, and I think it is a fact of emotion. More than making the perfect performance, I tried more to transmit an emotion, for me it is more important than thinking about the notes.

And from everything else you managed to isolate yourself?

Yes, I had fun on stage, at the beginning I was tense, then I had fun, I let myself go.

You have been one of the protagonists of last year: with “Icon”. In this Sanremo there is somehow a connection with everything you did or is it a restart for you?

There is certainly a connection. I always talked about Rome in my songs. The difference is that this song is a little more personal. The refrain has been in dialect, I had been wanting to make a song in dialect for some time, even if the songs I do have the Roman accent anyway. But I always try to be Italian. So I wanted to make a slightly more personal and passionate song and we decided to do it in dialect. With “Icon” I realized that I can do a certain type of thing, and he gave me confirmation of knowing how to do that.

Now do you want to get involved with more?

Yes.

And Sanremo is an opportunity to get involved. After “Icon” I didn’t feel like being on the sofa, I wanted to get out of comfort zone. However, I have fun, even here in Sanremo I am having fun, then obviously there are also stressful things, such as work, sleeping little. But it’s fun: there are a lot of artists, you know people, every artist leaves you something, they are all very nice. It was a good welcome, I feel comfortable. Then I announced two important lives, one in Milan and one in Rome at the Circus Maximus. As you know I did not sing on New Year’s Eve at the Circus Maximus, but I did the New Year in my own way to the building. However, for me to sing at the Circus Maximus was just a Rome stuff, so I am very happy to do it this summer.

Will there be new music?

We see.

Is there anything that Italy has not understood about the Italian rap or what you are?

Yes, surely. Then I don’t like to explain to me too much. I also like to confuse people, always look for breaking points. There will always be those who say are good and those who say suck. And that’s okay, I like it.

The Rockol video interviews are created at the Tenco club, in collaboration with Evolution and Scf