Sottotono is an Italian hip-hop collective from Novara. Formed in 1994 by rappers Nega and Tormento, and producers DJ Big Fish and DJ Irmu, they made their first appearance in the compilation Nati Per Rappare, followed by their studio debut Soprattutto Sotto, released later that year via Vox Pop Records. The album enjoyed a great deal of success, mainly thanks to lead single “La Mia Coccinella,” which became a summer anthem and received heavy airplay on Italian radio. Shortly after the departure of Nega and DJ Irmu in 1995, Tormento and Big Fish returned the following year with the platinum-selling LP Sotto Effetto Stono. Featuring the hit singles “Tranquillo,” “Solo lei ha quello che voglio,” and “Dimmi di sbagliato che c'è,” the LP ditched the gangsta rap stylings from their earlier work in favor of a sleek contemporary R&B sound. Following a couple of prime-time television appearances and gigs at some of Italy’s most important festivals, Sottotono returned with Sotto Lo Stesso Effetto in 1999. Preceded by the singles “Amor de Mi Vida” and “Mai Più,” the album obtained platinum certification after selling over 200,000 copies. Their fourth full-length … In Teoria hit the shelves in March 2001 and featured guest spots by Nesly Rice and Al Castellana. Sottotono called it quits shortly after the release of … In Teoria and Tormento and Big Fish focused on their respective solo careers. In 2021, the duo reunited and issued the album Originali, mainly consisting of new versions of their earlier singles.
