A New Star: Italian Fashion songwriter Mahmood

We have to see and listen the music of A New Star: Italian Fashion songwriter Mahmood.

Born in Milan (Italy) in 1992 to an Italian mother and an Egyptian father, Mahmood rose to fame in 2012 when he participated in the Italian version of The Factor X television programme. He didn’t have much success in the programme, but was not put off, enrolling in a music school.  In 2013, he released his first single, Fallin’ Rain.

Mahmood has become an undisputed global phenomenon. His Gioventù Bruciata has become a gold disc with 21 million plays and 33 million visits in just two months. Furthermore, the song, Barrio, included on this album, is another platinum record.  

He has had a short yet intense career to date. He has earned the recognition and admiration of the international audience, which has led him to win the San Remo Festival and take second place as the Italian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest  2019 in Tel Aviv (Israel). Last autumn, the young artist won the award for the Best Italian Act at the MTV European Music Awards.

For Mahmood, last year was a true triumph: his hit “Soldi” is the most Italian streamed song ever, with over 150M streams on Spotify.

On 2019, time.com wrote a piece about the Italian, <<His victory quickly became a cultural turning point in Italy’s polarized climate around immigration, drawing scorn from Italy’s leading populist and far-right politicians, and catapulting Mahmood into the national spotlight.>>

Apple Music describes Mahmood as artist who draws on pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences on songs he describes as “Morrocan pop,” though he was born and raised in Italy.

Mahmood’s rise could be compared to that of Lil Nas X or Lizzo in the U.S. — artists who have managed to break down cultural barriers. His music resonates with many Italians who grew up in the suburbs with immigrant parents, often at odds between two cultures. 

Mahmood always sings in Italian, but has previously added Spanish lyrics to a version of Soldi by collaborating with a Spanish singer. As the role of English as pop’s lingua franca is changing, artists like Bad Bunny, Rosalía or BTS have found international success singing in their own languages.

“I believe videos always have to complement the songs, which is why in Dorado there are many metaphors – not only to increase the song’s meaning but also to reflect my visual taste. Music and image must walk at the same pace.”

Mahmood

Mahmood and fashion

He’s been in the October issue 2020 of GQ and also for Numéro Art Magazine. He’s been shot by fashion photographer Luigi and Iango, on IG spotted wearing brands like Burberry, Lacoste, The North Face and many more.

He defies beauty, he puts himself against the waves and he runs to it. His music and aesthetic are his and no one else.