Mistaman
Parole

MISTAMAN & HIS WORDS

Whether you want it commercial or not (and I have never understood what that means), hip-hop made in Italy has recently invaded the airwaves to the point that it can no longer be ignored (the same thing happened in '94, '96, and '99). It's worth mentioning that all these "new generation" rappers are certainly not new to those who follow the genre: the hated and controversial Fabri Fibra started making waves back in 1996 with the "dated" Uomini Di Mare, Esa (aka El Prez) was also, along with groups like Sangue Misto or Onda Rosse Posse, one of the founding fathers of tricolor rap (we're talking about stuff from the early '90s), DJ Fish made a name for himself as a talented producer thanks to the success of the "west coast" Sottotono, founders of the legendary (sigh, sigh, my heart weeps a bit) Area Cronica, Amir (formerly China) hung out with one of the most powerful "underground hip-hop bands," the legendary Colle Der Fomento, while Mondo Marcio... yes, you guessed it right, Mondo Marcio.. started circulating in the hip-hop circuit at the tender age of 15.

This intro was just to give you some context. One thing I've always encouraged anyone who wants to start exploring the Italian HH scene to do is never to stop at appearances, never to listen only to the single released on the radio, but to try to create a personal culture and a circle of "favorite" artists; fortunately or unfortunately for us, the rap from our fellow countrymen is rich and varied with different personalities, nuances, and styles: we might find the party MC, the melancholic evening poet MC, the politically-conscious MC, the one who loves being a troublemaker, or the underground MC, the one hustling in the square in search of some heroin (Joe Cassano R.I.P.) and a regular at social centers.

Among all the types mentioned above, there’s one who has always stuck to his path, worked hard to improve his style, took moments of reflection when needed, and even managed to create a crew of genuine and sincere friends who have followed him from the beginning... the MC in question, who knows how to use WORDS, is Mistaman or, to put it simply, Mista. A former member of Centro 13 alongside Ciacca and DJ Shocca, he has collaborated on several occasions with Stokka & MadBuddy and Frank Siciliano. Our "hero," since the old times, never stopped believing, and that perseverance led him to conceive a real, well-done, and well-designed album: "Parole" (2005).

If on the turntables, keyboards, and sampler some of the most talented producers in the country take turns: DJ Shocca, Stokka, Bassi Maestro, DJ Double S, Frank Siciliano, Squarta, Zonta, and (hear, hear) Next One, it seems more than logical to me that this, and I'm not being biased, is a more than interesting project destined to spread from mouth to mouth. With your permission, I would like to analyze the most significant songs from the album... "Parole," the song which not coincidentally gives the entire work its name, is one of those classic songs that get stuck in your head from the first listen, thanks also to the rhythm and semi-sung reggae style, and it doesn’t do it with words made especially to create a summer hit but with thoughtful words, aged in some dusty drawer, brought out, dusted off, re-read, rewritten and ready for their sole purpose... to hit the heart; in this piece, Mistaman describes all the types of "words" and how people use them: "sometimes they are empty, sometimes full of substance, there are the real ones, those that are just for show" or "when two are too few, three are too many, learn the key ones to open your doors, then anyone can make those big ones fly but remember facts always speak louder."

Right from the start, Mistaman showcases his talents as a great wordsmith. "Che farai" feat. Frank Siciliano is pure gold, a richness not to be discarded, a concentration of fantastic concepts over a haunting instrumental, an introspective piece capable of attracting even those who believe hip-hop is a regular clown show; the verses are short, thus not tiring the listener, the intro with a slightly depressed Mistaman talking on the phone with Frank almost seems like it's taken from a film, while the base plays all its cards and "breaks the bank"; I quote: "if you want, we discuss it, we meet up, the mind is a parachute, it only works when it’s open, when everything falls apart and you need confirmation there is always redemption in case you lose." There are no WORDS, only chills. Among the cheerful yet absolutely not carefree pieces, there's the intriguing (so to speak) "Se se se"; here it's really worth dedicating a good portion of the review to the lyrics, too brilliant to be true. In this track, Mista asks himself a series of what-ifs in a sort of dialogue with himself about what would have happened if he hadn't become a rapper; hear this and READ CAREFULLY: "if hip-hop were at the top and every Italian did it, I'd have more imitators than Adriano Celentano", "if I had done jazz, it wouldn't be bad, every snob who wants to play the intellectual would listen to me", "if I had done classical, I might hate the rappers, they make random notes on the sequencer", "if you have doubts about this MC, you’ll pay the price like when the guy from Bic died"... now those are words!

For rap lovers without many surprises, "Lo sai chi siamo," feat. Primo and DJ Double S, will be a dish certainly delicious to enjoy, but if by chance you want something more succulent, the dishes recommended by chef Mista are three: "Musica vera" feat. Stokka & MadBuddy, excellent production and a text that lashes out against those who make music with anything but the soul and its warmth that dictates the words ("I love immortal and timeless music and I know it's not by snapping polaroids that I will immortalize it, I give my respect, to your ears it's noise, whether I'm okay, whether I'm not, whether I suffer for love"), "Vite a metà" feat. Yoshi aka Tormento, with the blues piano sample fitting perfectly, the flow, and the soulful voice of Yoshi (formerly Sottotono) send chills ("following a dream can ruin my life, and it’s funny to think that a compromise often doesn’t allow you to live. Maybe, too many ups and downs, I’m at an age that allows no mistakes, but if it were late, I would have quit already like others")... the last of the three recommended tracks, in tracklist order, "I got soul" feat. Frank Siciliano, will know how to make you feel really good.

This is an album made with the heart and warmth of the soul and albums made this way, be they pop, rock, metal, or rap (as in this case), should, in my opinion, absolutely be rewarded!