Raiz

The Profile

Neapolitan singer with solo albums including W.O.P., Uno and Ya!, noted for blending Mediterranean influences with electronic and trip-hop sounds and singing in multiple languages.

Ya! was released in 2011 by Universal and produced by Planet Funk. The album features collaborations with the Bari-based Radicanto, includes a cover of Junior Reid's "One Blood," and closes with a spoken-word setting of a Salvatore Palomba poem. Reviews praise Ya! as Raiz's most accomplished solo work; Wop prompted a strongly worded critical review.

Two DeBaser reviews examine Raiz's solo work, praising Ya! as a mature blend of Mediterranean and electronic sounds produced by Planet Funk. Ya! (2011, Universal) is highlighted as his best solo album. Wop provokes a sharply ironic review focused on its social storytelling. Both reviews give high ratings despite differing tones.