Capo Plaza sits at a table on the lower level of a emaciated, a house-turned-boat in Paris. The topic from which the conversation begins is exactly that of “Wounds” which give the title to his new album Ferrite, released today (May 3) by Warner Music Italy. It's a very diverse album — conscious songs alternate with club tracks and others where it opens up to pop shades that suit voices like those of Mahmood and Annalisa.
With 62 platinum records, Capo Plaza is one of the biggest names in the Italian rap scene and also the most international, collaborating with other top artists from both the US (Gunna, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Lil Tjay) and Europe ( Russ Millions from the UK, Aya Nakamura from France, Morad from Spain, among others).
Capo Plaza has matured a lot and is still the “Giovane Fuoriclasse” (“Young Star Player”) who achieved success in Italy in 2017: with his precise vision of life, knowing what is important and what is not. with his values; with carefully selected friends and loved ones. and with a passion always in his head that leads him to torture himself until he achieves the desired result.
You've said on several occasions that the worst aspect of success is feeling alone, surrounded by people who take advantage of you. Are the “wounds” related to these disappointments?
I care a lot about relationships and tend to give too much to others. Wounds also become distinguishing features. If I'm like this, it's because I got frustrated with life, but I learned to react, I became more mature and I understood how to move on. I was left with some underlying insecurity. But we should all be proud of our wounds. I am deeply convinced of this.
Have you always been like this?
Of course. It is Salerno, my hometown, that taught me to maintain a certain attitude, to try to remain humble with my values even though I am in an environment that is sometimes slimy, like the music industry.
What is an example of a wound that left a mark on you?
Leaving home alone at 18, no family or friends, and all relationships gone wrong. I never think too much about it. If something is over, it's over. Throughout this album, I think about the meaning of victory and defeat. Actually, I would put it exactly like that, “Win and lose.” But then I thought 'Wounds' had a wider meaning. What I want to convey is that every achievement brings with it a disadvantage for anyone, even the president of the United States. Life is difficult and beautiful because it has many souls.
In the title track you say you have “a few helping hands”: whose are they?
My family, my girlfriend, the few friends I have. After all the signs I've had, I can expect different things from everyone, but I know that these five or six good friends are real. We don't talk every day, but I know that if I need them, they are there. It's not my gang, I had it until I was 20, then things change.
In the rap scene, many say it's hard to be true friends. Is it hard for you too?
Sure. The other rappers don't come to confide in me, they must have other friends, it's normal: we're also competitive. But then we cooperate with each other without problems.
What is necessary for you when asking for a partnership?
The human side. Even the artistic, of course, but it is a priority to have a good feeling with the other artist.
In your career you've always tried to showcase a number of up-and-coming artists: do you think anyone has been less than appreciative?
Maybe not everyone remembers what I did, but after all, I've been playing this game at a high level for over eight years. However, I have learned to let everything slide over me, even negative comments.
From colleagues?
No it's not that. I'm certainly not looking for unhappiness, I try to get along with people, but I can't please everyone. However, for the collaborations of this record I tried to experiment a lot, for example there is also Annalisa and Mahmood.
You had already worked with the latter. Your styles suit you very well.
He is a big fan of hip-hop and R&B and has an angelic voice. He was a fan of mine and I didn't know it and vice versa! So we collaborated on each other's albums. I'm very proud of songs like these, like the one with Annalisa, because four or five years ago I wouldn't have been able to do it. They have a sing-along rap sound that I've been looking for for a long time and finally got. Then I also wanted to call out two of my favorite up and coming artists, Artie 5ive and Tony Boy, because I really believe in them.
What makes you change your mind about a song you've already finished? You give the impression that you are never satisfied.
I always question everything from the lyrics to the beat. It took me over a year and a half to complete this album. If the beat doesn't tell me anything, it stops there. Sometimes the inspiration comes from me, other times from my producer AVA. We really like to experiment. If I get a good idea and finish it quickly, all is well. If I'm still unsure, I usually skip the track. At first going back to the studio is a bit difficult, then time goes by and you become more aware. At some point, the idea comes that there are 16 or 17 good tracks for the album.
How many of those did you work on for this album?
At least 150 that will never be released!
Was everything written and produced in Milan? You don't go much into nightlife there, do you?
Certainly, it all started from my and AVA's studio. I have a very quiet life: I go to the gym, the studio, I have dinner with my girlfriend and we travel a lot, without posting everything on social media. I found my balance. I just want to make music and hope people understand the meaning of it.
Do you want to become known in Europe?
Absolutely. I have already toured several European cities and I think I will do it again in the winter. It is full of Italian communities abroad. For example, I performed in Canada in Toronto and Montreal: so many people came to see me. It's good to bring some of our music to our countrymen. But also to others. Many foreigners told me they knew Mahmood and Måneskin, to name just two.
And what about the United States?
I don't set it as a goal, but I don't limit myself either. If it happens, it will be good. I never thought I would get to where I am now. I definitely want to raise the bar even higher.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/capo-plaza-italy-rapper-billboard-italy-1235672960/