There’s something in the name”Gulab VillainAble to summarize, in a great oxymoron, the essence of one of the most interesting artists of the Italian urban scene. The delicacy of a flower that can poison you, the restlessness of a noble woman brutalized by the world. Rose is it all, and I feel her divided soul when, with her black and feline silhouette, she arrives on set carrying a tray of pastries to celebrate her makeup artist’s birthday. She is accompanied by her husband and producer six pm and girls macheteHer management, which is already organizing her life until next October.
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Rose’s kindness is compelling, as is the determination with which she faces each shot. As I watch him interact with the photographer, I understand that in front of me is a professional who has left da Femme fatale, would return in their oversized T-shirts to discuss upcoming summer dates. Over a plate of soy noodles we’ll talk about her American dream, the challenges women face in music, and the meme in which a bat hugs a pink stuffed animal that represents her.
You were born in Milan but moved to Los Angeles to study music when you were very young. What prompted you to leave?
I was very young when I told my family that I was going to live in America. I didn’t leave any option to my parents, they had to support me. I had decided that I would quit after high school, and so I did. I think it all started while watching video clip one more time On MTV I thought “I want to be that. I’ll do that.” Italy did not yet, and probably still lacked the concept of the pop star, with the American focus on aesthetics and cinema. There was a strong female scene connected to songwriting, but far from the world of magazines, paparazzi, everything that attracted me as a girl.
top and gloves dolce and gabbana
After all, the pop star is an American invention that Italy has learned to love.
In America they are always at the forefront. It gives me great hope to see women like Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat topping the global charts. Will happen here too. It will take a few years and it will be tiring, but there are more and more personalities who manage to emerge, even in the urban landscape. Having a strong identity makes a difference. I don’t want to be Rihanna, Billie Eilish or Lana Del Rey. I think I have shades of her because I am her fan, but I want to be an everyday villain.
Women’s recording projects in Italy are often the result of a team of men, and run the risk of appearing alike. You have a very recognizable imagination and pen.
I am very proud to write. Recently I have started working with Italian authors as well. My approach to writing is foreign or looking at the international scene, so in Italy it is difficult to reach a large public with my pen. I’m always a little hesitant when I do this, but it’s worth trusting a team that lifts you up and helps you make the leap. Art should always be at the center, but it is important that someone say to me “Rose, if you sing this thing, no one will understand you”.
In 2018 you were the first Italian artist to sign with Republic Records, Nicki Minaj and Drake’s label. However, in 2020, Italy took notice of you and convinced you to pursue a career here.
I am very ambitious. I love challenges and anything that seems impossible. I signed with a superlabel in the United States, however, and my artistic side was struggling to emerge. They put songs on me that didn’t represent me, songs written by writers for Beyoncé that I didn’t feel were mine. They wanted me to look very sexy, but I want to decide when and how to be sexy. If any old record company tells me, I will not believe it. When I saw that my musical was opening in Italy, I was still projected towards America, I had never written in Italian but I wanted to be involved. Very few of us in Italy are doing urban so I like the idea of being one of the “pioneers”. We need a revolution of some sort, and when there is a revolution to be made, I am always ready.
Dress GivenchyShoes Giuseppe Zanotti, Motorcycle Ducati Panigale V4
Do you think there is competition among female artists in Italy or just because you are a minority, there is solidarity among you?
I have to be honest, I don’t see much solidarity. I try to extend a hand to everyone because in my opinion we have to work as a team, but on the other hand I haven’t always found women willing to help me. We are all daughters of patriarchy over the years and we cannot deny that there is competition. Especially among female artistes, because we are like divas and prima donnas. If there is still some unity, it is because we are constantly facing. The women in the rap spotlight can be counted on the fingers of one hand and are constantly compared despite having very different styles and avenues. I can’t stand it when they tell me “he’s better than you”. Not because I shouldn’t be compared, but because I want to be compared with all artists. Compare me to Thassup, compare me to Marrakesh, not just my female colleagues. This creates annoyance and unnecessary competition. It’s always the men’s fault, you see?
Your life is split between Italy and the United States. How important is it to your music to live in New York?
New York gives me freedom. There’s something in the air that makes me feel completely free to express myself musically and that feeling has become a drug of sorts over the years. Now many things are changing in Italy, but there are still many stakes in rap and pop that clip wings or lead to make more commercial choices. However, in the United States, even a jazz or ska project can have a market. Top artists tour and make a living from music.
In January you released your first album, gotham radio, After a journey made of singles and successful collaborations. When did you realize you had an audience ready to welcome a full Rose Villain album?
I did a lot of juggling, I didn’t want to “ruin” my songs. I didn’t want them to be the one who sings the chorus Chico, At a certain point I realized that people were starting to connect with my verses and understand my world. I had many things to say and even though few could understand them, I wanted to talk to them.
In gotham radio you told the darkness, while inside strawberries, From your latest feat with Achille Laroche, a bright and clever rose emerges.
Strawberries This is a piece about desire. I’m a very tomboy, so I wanted to feel like a woman in this song and claim that we can talk about sex without being judged. Achilles, then, is like my lost brother. We have two rock souls, yearning, and we have fun on stage.
dress and shoes Dieselsunglasses gentle monster
you sang on 20 may Strawberries Radio Italia for the concert in Piazza Duomo and will start on stage on June 2 nameless, Your summer tour. after the cover of America At the Sanremo Festival, it is clear that the bigger the stage, the more comfortable you will feel.
I’m very lucky because I’m not afraid of steps. can’t wait to bring gotham radio around Italy. The scariest situation I face is to sing to my family or play Andy (at 6 pm) the song I just finished writing. In those moments my legs start shaking and I start crying.
What is one performance you will never forget?
I enjoyed the song during a meeting with Gué in Milan last summer. Perhaps because of the Caroponte’s tubular structure, it was incredible to hear all those voices singing along to me.
In recent years, rap has conquered arenas and stadiums. Where do you dream of sold out?
I dream of Madison Square Garden. I’ve been going there for fifteen years and have seen the best concerts of my life there. I love making music and I care that there are no barriers. New York represents something like: “You make it there, you make it anywhere”.
picture of Mattia Guolo
styling by Francis Cavalcanti
style Assistant Naomi Baris
by hair Yuri Napolitano
by beauty Yuri Shiavi