Raige
Zer06 - Zer08

"Zer06 - Zer08" is the title of the second official album by Alex Vella, better known as Raige, a member of the One Mic, and brother of the perhaps more famous Ensi. As the artist himself states, the album in question is a collection of pieces written between 2006 and 2008. Raige had already given us the gem "Tora Ki", and now he gives us this other gem, which without a shadow of a doubt, is a masterpiece, at least compared to recent releases in the Italian hip hop scene. It is undoubtedly an album that surprises from the very first listen.

The album consists of 14 unreleased tracks, plus "Non è uguale", already included in the brother's EP, Donercore.

It starts with "Un giorno in meno", produced by Rayden. The track has good lyrics, but frankly I think it's among the worst on the album, perhaps spoiled by Rayden's instrumental, also a member of the One Mic, which perhaps "ruins" the track a bit by inserting a sample with a rather annoying sound. However, the chorus grabs you, thanks to Raige's excellent vocal skills.

Next is "Dove Capita", the album's lead single, which we could already hear from March 1st on his Myspace. Well, this one enters forcefully among the best tracks on the album, with a rich instrumental and, if we want, a bit radio-friendly, a melodic and very pleasant chorus, and excellently written lyrics full of interesting insights. I would quote the phrases "but I don't like myself like this, we are empty inside, surrounded by emptiness, trying to forget it", and "I will know how to make the worst mistakes, what I have inside cannot make me a better man."

At number 3, we find "Il posto giusto", also produced by Rayden. This one turns out to be very catchy, but is marred by a too electronic instrumental. However, I would say it can be listened to, even if it doesn't stand out among the best.

Following is "Di che parlo", produced once again by Rayden, with features from Rayden himself and Ensi, essentially the One Mic in full force. In my opinion, this one ranks among the most beautiful and significant songs on the album. The instrumental perfectly matches the themes and is very melodic and relaxing, thanks to the violin sample. The second verse, written and sung by Rayden, is truly noteworthy: "what do I talk about? about emotions, those feelings that never leave us. With what I accomplish, I don't fulfill myself, but I'm only the master of my troubles [...]". Of course, excellent work from the other two as well.

In fifth place, we find "Prendo tutto", produced once again by Rayden. As usual, the production isn't fully convincing, but as always, it is very catchy. A small curiosity: the percussion was played by Raige himself.

Moving on, we stumble upon another masterpiece: "Sempre qui". An excellent production by Roofio, a member of the Two Fingerz, who inserts a piano with a great melody and accordions that harmonize everything even more. The song features Ensi supporting his brother, and turns out to be very emotional, as it talks about everything that marked their youth, most likely spent in Turin. Also worth mentioning is Marco Zangirolami, the arranger of many of the instrumentals on the album, including this one.

Here is the best song on the album. At number 7, we find "Ci sarà". The production is entrusted to CubaClub. Read the lyrics, guys, and notice how true the words are, and how strong and real what this guy describes is, although the fact described didn't happen to the artist himself, as he stated in some interviews. Well, another truly emotional track. Just close your eyes and let yourself be carried away by the words, which describe a love story unfortunately ended in tragedy. The instrumental takes a back seat, definitely overshadowed by the lyrics. It's simply a sample, perhaps rock, with arrangements made with electronic instruments. I mention the chorus: "There will be, a way to fully understand it, there will be a day to fully understand it. There will be, but not today, it hurts too much, and I just want to scream that there will be, there will be!".

Completely taken by this track, we move to number 8, where we find "Re del niente". Very commercial production by Big Joe, with a chorus sung by Gloria. As always, a listenable and pleasant track, but inferior to some others. "I live as if one life is not enough, I cry tears and pain from your speakers".

Moving on, we find "Suonami Boss". This one is also a little masterpiece, with a Tacash instrumental that fits damn well and a chorus with a really wide communicative force. "Mine is the story of another without opportunities".

At number 10, we find "Salvezza", with Tormento. This song, too, has a slightly radio-friendly appeal in my opinion, which doesn't convey much to me.

Track 11 is "Rock & Roll", which opens with a pitched voice from an Italian rock sample, whose song name I can't recall. Here, Alex's flow reaches for me the highest levels on the album, supported by a quite powerful instrumental, produced by Rayden.

Here's another beautiful song, "Una volta per sempre", produced by James Cella and with the presence of One Mic once again as a full group. Excellent instrumental, and lyrics that are no joke. Another super verse from Rayden, probably overshadowing the other two on this track, showing an enviable metric: "in the mind an apparent calm when I write cursive life pages in freehand. I have no destiny nor diva ambitions, I reflect in what I live and fall into it like Narcissus". The chorus is very pleasant, as it is in every song.

At 13, there's "Esplodi", produced by Dj Nais of Doner Music, known to be a close collaborator of Fish. The beat is a bomb, perhaps a bit too electronic and club-like, but with arrangements that wink to melody, making the track itself powerful in the chorus and melodic in the verses. Among the best on the album. Also here, we can notice Raige's versatility in terms of flow, who knows very well how to alternate the more melodic flow with the more "gritty" one, when needed. 

Further on, we find perhaps the least serious track of the album, "Signore e Signori",  produced by Squarta of Cor Veleno. Nothing significant to report, except that the chorus, as they say, really grabs you.

The track that closes this wonderful journey is "Non è uguale", taken directly from Donercore EP by Ensi, and produced again by Nais. Personally, I don't like it very much.

In conclusion, we can say that this disc was unexpected by many. A very deep, introspective album, that makes you understand there's still someone seriously doing hip hop, using their heart and mind, and I hope this helps people who see this genre as dead and useless to approach it through this work, because I hope they'll change their minds. I don't think those who listen to Italian Hip Hop let this album slip by. For those who haven't listened to it yet, well do it: you won't regret it.

Only a few instrumentals disappoint, excessively trendy and perhaps not suited to Raige's style.

"When you tell me that rap is not music, you'll be right. Because rap is not music, it is much more".

He was right.