R&B/Hip-Hop

The most listened-to artist in Italy in 2024 (according to Luminate) does not, exactly, rap in Italian. Naples’ own Geolier raps in his native dialect — the very musical language spoken on the streets of his neighborhood, Rione Gescal, and now spoken by kids in every corner of Italy who, through Geolier, have learned it.
For the 24-year-old artist born Emanuele Palumbo, that devotion has added up, in the past year alone, to three consecutive sold-out shows at Naples’ Maradona Stadium; a historic appearance bringing the Neapolitan dialect for the first time to the Sanremo Festival, the most important music event in Italy; and triple-platinum certification for his song “Dio Lo Sa,” released in June. Five years after his debut album, Emanuele, Geolier is clearly still taking in this success — as is evident in the way he pauses to reflect on his words in conversation, in his broad smiles in response to compliments and in his lyrics portraying a young man who takes everything (except himself) seriously. He spoke to Billboard Italia about how he arrived here.

Geolier

Vittorio Cioffi

Geolier

Vittorio Cioffi

Did you always know you would be a rapper?

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I didn’t always know this because as kids you can’t predict the future. Obviously I hoped so and imagining myself onstage was the only thing possible, because I didn’t know how to do anything else and I did poorly at school. But I would never have bet on myself. I started working in a factory at a very young age, I continued to rap in my free time, but I saw that [acceptance for the genre was] really far away in Italy. Only pop songs were on the radio back then. I loved rap because I looked up to America, but the maximum that was played in Italy was “In Da Club” on MTV. I admired 50 Cent; I felt close to him.

What did you think you had in common with him?

I saw the film about his life [the semi-autobiographical Get Rich or Die Tryin’], where it is clear that he had taken all the responsibility of the family on his shoulders. He sold crack on the streets of Queens; I never did it, but I started working very young. I found an extraordinary maturity in him and this fascinated me.

When did your own personal turning point come, realizing this could potentially be your career?

I realized I could do this job when they paid me for my first live show. It was about 250 euros but for me it was a lot of money — I was 18 years old. However, I couldn’t say when I reached what can be defined as a milestone.

Geolier

Vittorio Cioffi

Why is this incredible boom in Neapolitan rap happening today?

I come from the ghetto of the ghetto. I think there is a unique realness here; perhaps it’s only possible to find it [elsewhere] in the United States. I think rappers in this city put what they see into their lyrics. The culture of Southern Italy is more known internationally than that of Italy as a whole, also, thanks to TV series such as The Sopranos.

2024 was an incredible year for you, but you experienced some tougher moments as well. At the Sanremo Festival you won the covers night, but the live audience booed you and your guests.

We were there and just tried to defend ourselves. That same night they immediately told me to be careful of potential criticism. I believe that the Sanremo Festival was not ready for rap music; we brought an iconic song for Italy, “Brivido” by Guè featuring Marracash, and the audience booed. Incredible.

Your mother was also in the audience. Did this make it especially painful?

It made me smile, actually. She was furious because she couldn’t do anything, and she wouldn’t even talk to me about it. Even today, when we talk about Sanremo, she has bad memories — but my mother is a normal person and absolutely doesn’t want to be part of the star system.

Were those three sold-out concerts at Maradona Stadium the peak of 2024 for you, or was it something else?

Sure, but I’d say a moment in particular [was] when before the first [of those shows], in the afternoon, I looked through a crack and saw the stadium full. At that moment I thought: “What am I doing?” It was neither a positive nor negative emotion, I had simply never felt it. And I can’t explain it.

Geolier

Vittorio Cioffi

Geolier

Vittorio Cioffi

How do you still stay connected to your roots in your old neighborhood?

I think I do simply because I tell what I see in Naples. I’ll continue to do so even if I have to move away from the city, which is very unlikely. I don’t live that differently now: I continue to see my friends and talk to people. I feel the need also because I want to [be true] with my lyrics. Do you know what normal people tell me the most? Not to take selfies but to remain myself.

If you could choose an American artist to collaborate with, who would they be?

50 Cent. I started making music because of him. But right now I’m also listening to Kendrick Lamar’s new album and I like it a lot.

What do you have coming in 2025?

I just want to do the arena tour, which will start in March, and the two dates at Ippodromo di Agnano in Naples. I don’t think I’ll release new music, apart from some collaborations. I would like to slow down a bit. I think I’ve done a lot, [and] I want to experience this as a game. Because with all the numbers and deadlines, sometimes it seems to have become a routine job. And I surely don’t want that.