For over twenty years, Shablo has been a key figure of the Italian urban scene. Manufacturer, talent scout, creative mind and entrepreneur.
Some of the most influential projects of the genre were born from him, he was able to merge rap with ever new sounds, tracing a path in constant evolution. Now, for the first time, he presents himself on the Sanremo stage together with Gué, Joshua, torment with My wordsong that anticipates his next album, almost 15 years after “Thori e Rocce”.
The festival thus becomes the perfect opportunity to put different generations and styles in dialogue: in the evening of the duets, with Neffa, it will pay homage to the history of the Italian Urban reinterpreting Amor de Mi Vida of the undertone and waiting for the sun, classic of the same neffed.
A few hours after his Sanremo debut, we met Shablo to talk about roots, innovation and the new musical direction that awaits him.
The interview
How did the idea of the song that you will lead to Sanremo be born?
Everything started from one night in Tuscany. There was this piece that turned to me in the head, in reality it was only the refrain of Joshua, and that night I had the certainty that it was the single single for the project. The next day, I had a lunch with Carlo and I said to him: “In my opinion this is very strong for Sanremo”. From there we wondered with whom to go to Sanremo.
And who was the first name you thought about?
The first name that came to mind was Guè, because in addition to being one of the artists with whom we collaborate more often, we are also friends. At that moment he was in Japan, it will have been three in the morning. As soon as he woke up we called him and proposed the piece. Guè, as always, immediately asked where the rip -off was, but then accepted on the fly.
And then how did the puzzle composed?
Shablo: After Guè, torment arrived, then the piece was subjected to Carlo, who immediately caught the potential. I remember that we only made him feel the refrain and he replied enthusiastic about it.
For the evening of the covers you chose Neffa. How come?
Shablo: Neffa is an artist with whom I grew up. For me it was a dream to bring it on that stage. He is one who hasn't changed a piece for thirty years, and this consistency is incredible. When we tried the cover, there was a general emotion.
In addition to Sanremo, is there a wider project behind this participation?
Shablo: absolutely yes. Sanremo is only the beginning. The manager who goes into the race may seem strange, but first of all I am a producer and I have always made music. This will be the first single of a new album we have been working on for some time. In addition, with Jacopo (Jacopo Pesce; ed) we decided to launch a new musical reality, Oyster Music, a label that arises from the desire to make music without being slaves to the market.
How much has urban music changed in Italy compared to your beginnings?
Shablo: a lot. When we started, Urban did not exist in the rankings, there was no real market. Then, from 2016 onwards, with artists like Sfera Ebbasta, everything exploded. Today, in some ways, we have gone from one extreme to the other, to the point that the market seems congested.
What do you think is the challenge for the new generation of artists?
Shablo: the challenge is to rediscover the roots of music. When I was a teenager, I spent hours looking for samples, to discover the music of the 60s and 70s. Today this research has been a little lost. I think it is important that artists take time to explore the past, to bring an authentic and original sound. You can't make music just to chase the trend of the moment.
If I had to go to dinner I would feel much more similar in speeches and feeling with Bruori rather than with young trapper.
Although we two have different musical tastes we recognize the same passion for quality music.
Will Oyster Music be a space for this type of research?
Shablo: Yes, we want Oyster Music to be a house for those who want to make music without compromise. We want to work with real talents and give space to creativity. Our experience has taught us that the best projects arise when you have fun and follow your passion, without being influenced too much by market dynamics.
Guè: I am very happy to be able to present the birth of Oyster Music. It will be our new home, a factory of ideas, of art, where we will try to put in the foreground authenticity, freedom of expression, hip-hop culture and above all music that are things that in the last period are have been put in the background especially in our environment.
My new projects, my new albums, my parallel projects that are mixtapes or in joint with other artists will all come out for Oyster Music in an exclusive agreement with Universal.
The thing that excites me most is in addition to my personal projects, is also to be able to work with other artists, so we will certainly publish projects from other artists, new talents or talents already on the square with which we will have the pleasure of working. The first officially outgoing album is that of Shablo. I am very happy to go out with this project, inspired by black culture with influences of all kinds, soul, funk, hip-hop with a lot of guests.
Three generations of urban artists on the Sanremo stage together. Is it the closure of a circle?
Shablo: In a certain sense yes, but it is also the opening of a new cycle. Torento inspired me and Guè, and today Joshua represents the new generation, the second generation of urban artists. Seeing this continuity is a beautiful thing. And Sanremo is only the beginning.
Web & Social
https://www.instagram.com/shablo
https://www.instagram.com/therealgue
https://www.instagram.com/tormentothereal
https://www.instagram.com/jezyfromdahy/
