Real name Giovanni Pellino, born in Scafati, Campania, on October 7, 1967, Neffa is an Italian rapper, musician and producer with a rock background. Before becoming a pioneer of the genre in his homeland, he grew up in Bologna and played drums in punk/hardcore bands, participating in Impact, Isola Posse All Stars and Negazione, before turning to rap. Taking his stage name from Paraguayan footballer Gustavo Neffa, he formed the group Sangue Misto in 1992, alongside DJ Gruff and the other four members, who recorded the single album SXM, released in 1994. Even before the group officially split up, he went solo, recording the album Neffa i Messageri della dopa (1996). As the recordings progressed, Neffa distinguished itself by its musical eclecticism, with influences from rock, funk, soul, reggae, R&B and electro. This was followed by the albums 107 elementi (1998), Arrivi e partenze (2001), I molteplici mondi di Giovanni, il cantante Neffa (2004), Alla fine della notte (2006), Sognando contromano (2009), Molto calmo (2013) and Resistanza (2015). In addition to numerous other collaborations as a rapper and composer, Neffa forms the short-lived duo Due di Picche with J-Ax, who release the EP C'eravamo tanto odiati in 2010. In 2021, he blends Neapolitan chanson, R&B and synthpop in AmarAmmore, followed by Canerandagio - Parte 1 in 2025, which features guest appearances by Noyz Narcos, Franco126, Guè and Joshua, Izi, Fabri Fibra and Myss Keta, Frah Quintale, Gemitaiz and Joan Thiele, Lucariello and STE, Ele A and Francesca Michielin.
