Neffa
Chicopisco

Neffa we all know. Some for "Io e la mia signorina stiamo bene insieme...", some for "devi stare molto calmo", some for "oggi non c'è il sole intorno a me".

However, few will surely know the Neffa on the bridge, the one that connects his career as a rapper and a highly respected figure in Italian hip-hop to his still flourishing career as a committed singer. And it's an extraordinary bridge.

The EP in question, Chicopisco, is a truly interesting and enjoyable mix of words and rhythm.
Being an extended play, it is short, but that little is intense, and it concentrates a great number of concepts and thoughts, which in turn evoke many in the listener.

It must be said that Neffa, throughout the five tracks, proves himself to be very technical and always capable of surprising anyone who listens to him, especially the fans who already knew him for previous works, but who perhaps would never have expected a work so detached from the others.
The key is definitely funk, as demonstrated by the first two tracks, Gran finesse and Funk a un, which splendidly open the dance, with words that are hard to understand but perfectly interwoven, like a work of modern art, captivating. Both are tied together by a certain "self-celebration", and especially the second proves to be extremely danceable and catchy (by the way, the little voice that intervenes by saying "oh (...) perché non cacci un po' di sapido rap?" was sampled by Fabri Fibra in the much-known Tranne Te). Both seem tied by something interesting, that, as they say, catches you, to use an expression dear to Neffa.

To close this carefree opening comes Stare al mondo, with a very positive Al Castellana to whom a great chorus is entrusted, interspersed by a more introspective Neffa, with a more comprehensible and meaningful text, which seems to hint at some of the reflections contained in 107 elementi (Neffa's last hip-hop LP).

Finally, two songs with the same lyrics but different interpretation and instrumental (and what instrumental: the second is entrusted no less than to Fritz da Cat): XYZ and L'incognita, linked in the title by a common mathematical root, worthily close a work that equally worthily closes a very important and interesting artistic chapter (that of Neffa the rapper): the words
are even more incomprehensible than the first two tracks, and maybe this is the reason for the titles: it is up to the listener to solve the equation, it seems to signify.

The refrain, however, is perfectly understood, and sounds clear: "Sentimi, ma non puoi prendermi; credi di conoscermi, e forse finirà così. Io sono l'incognita (...)". Words that, with hindsight, suggest an imminent end, perhaps that of a brilliant and capable Neffa the rapper, but maybe in search of something different.

The difference between this and other Neffa's hip-hop works is abysmal: the technique is revolutionized by an impressive speed in rap and a choice of scarcely comprehensible words without close inspection; moreover, the partial self-celebration present in the first two tracks, is not, however, a recurring component, on the contrary: it almost seems that in this record there is no room for too much egoism, for the usual playing at words around one's person that characterizes the genre a lot. Neffa undoubtedly has fun, but he is different, almost more aware in every verse, and this is what personally struck me the most in the record.

In conclusion, Chicopisco proves to be a worthy testament of a closing career (highly recommended to those who already knew Neffa the rapper, and especially to the curious who know him only in melodic guise) but of another that begins: just note that in every track there is a Neffa singing more than usual, more attentive to melody, and this is important to underline in light of today's Neffa, who many hated in those years, but with hindsight, is a brave artist.

 "Stare al mondo, e lo sai com'è: cerca amore, uomo. E se un giorno troppo lungo sarai solo, non ti dovrai arrendere. Sentimi, in più credici, tu devi stare al mondo." (from Stare al mondo).