Icy Subzero, stage name of Matteo D’Alessio, one of the heroes of the new generation of Italian rap, also included in the Spotify Radar program: here is the interview.
Icy Subzero, stage name of Mattia D’Alessio
The video for the new single of IC Subzero was released a few hours ago goodbye world, in collaboration with the Bolognese author Medi. 2023 represents for Roman rapper’s real name Matteo D’Alessio, a turning point in career In just a few years this has allowed him to amass over 150 million streams on Spotify, In a narrative context that more closely resembles the Latin world of Bad Bunny than the French and English scene that has dominated the Italian urban world in recent years, Icy Subzero has also won the Spotify spotlight with the Radar initiative. But now, in a fast-paced process like today’s record industry, the direction is of an official project with personal aspects still to be covered. here is the interview with ic subzero,
The video of Vida Loca, Your Summer Bet with Medi, featuring Fly Project’s Toca Toca, was published a few hours ago. How was it born?
It was born last summer and initially it was an audition in which I sang the first verse and chorus. I thought it might be my single, but then we decided to include Madea. There was a good rapport with our teams as well and Shloka was completed within two days after sending them to production. Then we got closer, we went out together and we even went to the studio, where we replaced everything with something special.
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Latin trap continues to trend, not exactly the favorite cup of the new generation of Italian rappers.
I like the different things: French and English content going strong now with 100% street imagery. I find myself in a Latin stream with other sounds and other imagery.
Would you like to add some pops of colour?
It’s inescapable, just look at the references to that type of imagery in the Vida Loca video. But really, when I listen to this genre, I prefer introspective melodic songs, even if the singles I’ve released don’t seem like it.
What is the next step?
I can’t wait to do my own project with some introspective lyrics that talk about me. After so many singles, I need to find a common thread, because I haven’t found my frame yet.
Where does the need to make music come from?
I am sure it has to do with personal pain that arose when I was young. I still can’t talk about it, if I have to tell about the past that caused me pain, I would prefer to do it through images. I also realized that I, like all of my employees, are niche people. We haven’t found a place yet and that’s probably what drives me to make music.
Can versatility be a strong point?
I can stand on the pavement of the worst street and in the bourgeois living room at best: it is certainly a strength, but I must learn to manage it. Also, because at the moment the numbers speak for themselves, but they are small compared to what I can do.
For the past few years, the spotlight is still focused on you, socially and otherwise.
I realize there are a lot of people who hate, but I don’t think they do it because they have a grudge against me. I am still in the beginning and maybe I will have to let him discover different sides of my musical versatility. I want to make an impact on the public, also because I have invested a lot of my personal life in music.
In what ways?
I’ve always struggled to find my place, I’ve done many things wrong and fallen many times because of the stereotypes I had as a child. At one point, I felt like I was being guided to approach music: I got so caught up in it that I realized I was the only person I started with.
How has music guided you?
But just think about how the singles came about, how they worked, but also about the EP that should not have been released, or should have had another title and another tracklist. A series of lucky coincidences, even though I don’t quite believe in luck. My efforts to work continuously will bear fruit.
In addition to the release of the app Sotozero, one of the first closings of the circle in your short career, can only be included in the Spotify Italia Radar program.
After seeing, in previous years, such realities as Aries, Blanco, but also Rondodososa, re-entered the program, it was something incredible. I think they also did it because they are a slightly different reality in the urban world, as is Nasca.
However, this came after a statement such as Dylan’s participation in the album (formerly Pyrex of the Dark Polo Gang), but also collaborations with Tony Effe, Young Snap and Lele Blade.
The friendship with Dylan and Tony was almost a sign of friendship, they are partners. Then I have to admit that Sincere with Lele and Young Snape is really awesome, they are really strong and when I think about it, I feel like mine as a piece.
BACK TO CURRENT EVENTS: What do you think about rap being a disruptive tool in storytelling?
To this day, I don’t think I will, although I do understand what it could mean for the cast and audience. Now there was Salmo and Louche, a few years ago Fibra and Weka: high level. It’s the type of writing exercise that doesn’t appeal to me, but on the other hand, I’ve never found myself in a position to respond to an explicit insult in a song.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
At first, even though Rome is the largest city in Italy, it was starting to feel too cramped for me. Then since I started touring, I missed her even more. At the moment I see myself in Rome, next step is Miami and then Thailand. I think about when I want to release my first record and I think I want to lock myself away in Latin America for a few months to draw on all the musical influences.
Bad Bunny became the most-streamed album in Spotify history with Un Verano Sin Ti.
That world there fascinates me a lot, just think about Mora, about Quevedo. I go crazy for the melody and the introspective lyrics, even though only a certain kind of reggaeton comes from Italy. I remember being glued to my phone when the record came out. Now, after hearing it on the radio hundreds of miles away, it’s starting to bother you because it’s become everybody’s thing.
However, this is a very old school aspect of protecting one’s creatures until they are allowed into the mainstream. Something like 2016 for Italian trap and dark polo gangs in Rome.
I discovered DPG when I was 15: it was an incredible event. On the other hand, we should get rid of this nostalgia for the past, almost like a boomer.