Yesterday, we met the first 12 artists singing at Sanremo 2022 and vying to representing Italy on home soil in Turin in May. Let’s meet the remaining 13, with some additional familiar Eurovision faces.
AKA 7even
- Sanremo 2022 entry: “Perfetta così” (Perfect like this)
- Previous Sanremo participation: none (debutant)
Aka 7even, stage name of Luca Marzano, is a rapper, singer-songwriter and author. He was born in 2000 in Vico Equense, in the Neapolitan metropolitan area, and is set to make his Sanremo debut. His career started back in 2017 following his participation to the Italian version of X Factor where he made it to the bootcamp stage. Despite the early exit from the show he started making his own music, publishing a single in 2018 and an EP in 2019 called “Chiaroscuro”. Beginning to use the stage name of Aka 7even since 2020, he took part to the popular talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi finishing in third place. Of particular success was his balland “Mi Manchi” which reached fourth place in the singles chart and obtained double platinum certification. He released his first album in 2021, titled AKA 7even peaked at number three in Italian charts reaching platinum certification. In November 2021, he also won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Italian Act at the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards in Budapest.
Ditonellapiaga con Rettore
- Sanremo 2022 entry: Chimica (Chemistry)
- Previous Sanremo participation: Debuting (Ditonellapiaga), 4 (Rettore), 1974, 1977, 1986, 1994
Ditonellapiaga, stage name of Margherita Carducci, was born in Rome in 1997 and is also making her Sanremo debut this year. She made her first steps in the music industry in 2019 when she released her debut single “Parli”. A skilled and versatile songwriter and singer, she released her debut album “Camouflage” in January 2022. She cites singers Donatella Rettore, with whom she is competing, and Ornella Vanoni as her musical references.
If Ditonellapiaga is a new face in the music industry, Donatella Rettore (known simply as Rettore) has been active in the music scene since 1973 and returns to Sanremo for the fifth time, having last participated in 1994. Born in Castelfranco Veneto in northeastern Italy in 1955, she made the first steps in the music industry in local parishes with her group “I Cobra”. After obtaining her high school diploma, she moved to Rome with the ambition of becoming a singer. In the summer of 1973 she toured with Lucio Dalla who introduced her to the music business. In 1978 she changed her style towards more rock and pop. In the two following years she released two hits called “Splendido Splendente” and “Il Cobra” with which she won Festivalbar in 1980. Throughout her career, she has published a total of 13 albums, the latest in 2011 and has completed 14 tours since 2003. Rettore is also considered a gay icon in Italy for having repeatedly voiced her support for the LGBTQ+ community throughout her career.
Elisa
- Sanremo 2022 entry: “O forse sei tu” (Or maybe it’s you)
- Previous Sanremo participations: 1 (2001)
Elisa, full name Elisa Toffoli, was born in Trieste in 1977 and has been a well-known figure in the music industry in Italy since the mid-90s. She returns to Sanremo as a performer for the second time following her triumph with Luce in 2001. Throughout her career, she published 10 studio albums and 73 singles and has achieved success beyond Italy including as far as the United States. She has won numerous prizes and awards and obtained one diamond certification, one multiplatinum, 44 platinum and nine gold certifications. In 2013, her song “Ancora qui” composed by Ennio Morricone was one of the 75 songs among which were chosen the five candidates for the 2013 Oscar for Best Song.
