Ernia
Ernia | |
|---|---|
 Ernia in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Matteo Professione 29 November 1993 Milan, Italy |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Matteo Professione (born 29 November 1993), known professionally as Ernia, is an Italian rapper.[1] He founded the crew Troupe D'Elite with fellow hip hop artist Ghali, also including Maite and producer Fawzi.[2]
Early life
Born in Milan, Ernia is the great-grandson of immigrants: one of his paternal great-grandfather was a Swiss German, while one of his maternal great-grandfathers was an exodate from Rovinj, while being originally from Montenegro.[3]
Raised in the QT8 neighborhood of Milan (a neighborhood that Ernia himself mentions several times in his songs), he was introduced to the world of hip hop mainly through his childhood friend Tedua, with whom he grew up during his pre-teen years. Ernia then joined the Bonola Family and Razza a Parte, collectives based in the neighboring Bonola neighborhood.[4]
After his musical stint with Troupe D'Elite, which came to an end in 2014, Ernia—who was enrolled in the university’s Department of Modern Languages at the time—[5] dropped out of school, and after a brief job as a waiter, he moved to London, where he lived for five months.[6] This was followed by his first return to Milan, where he worked at the European Institute of Oncology. He then stayed in France, and finally returned permanently to Italy.[7][8]
Alongside the resumption of his musical career in 2016, Ernia re-enrolled in college, once again in the Department of Languages.[9]
Career
2011-2014: Beginnings
When we first released our trap tracks—which were very fleeting and lighthearted—we got absolutely slammed. Everyone was still too busy trying to come across as something they weren’t; a lot of them started acting all high and mighty. About four years later, they all started making trap.
— Ernia[10]
In 2011, alongside Ghali (then known as Ghali Foh), singer Maite Zoe Dall'Asen (Maite), and producer Fawzi (Fonzi Beat), he joined the group Troupe D'Elite under the stage name ErNyah. The group was soon signed by Gué Pequeno to Tanta Roba, a label founded that same year by Fini jointly with DJ Harsh.
In 2012, Troupe D'Elite released the self-titled EP (featuring Don Joe), but it was met with negative reviews.[11][12][13] The following year, the group participated in the auditions for the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi,[14] without achieving success. Meanwhile, in collaboration with Ghali, Maite, Sfera Ebbasta, and other emerging artists, Ernia released the solo mixtape N.G.R.B., produced by Charlie Charles.
Following an argument with DJ Harsh in 2014,[15] Troupe D'Elite terminated their contract with Tanta Roba and released the album Il mio giorno preferito as independent artists, available as a free download on the Honiro platform; a few months later, however, the group disbanded.[16] This was an EP and it was released through Honiro Records.[17]
2016-2017: Come uccidere un usignolo
He resumed his solo rap career in 2016[18] and after releasing several singles under the Thaurus label, including Fenomeno, featuring Izi and Moses Sangare, he released the EP No Hooks, consisting of four tracks and characterized by the complete absence of choruses (as the title suggests).[19]
On 2 June 2017, Ernia's first studio album How to Kill a Nightingale was released, consisting of eight tracks. The title refers to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, in which a Black farmhand is wrongfully convicted; this is a comparison to the unwarranted insults and hatred directed at Troupe D’Elite.[18][20] The album has been certified platinum by the Italian Music Industry Federation, alongside the track “Bella”, while the track “Madonna”, featuring Rkomi, was certified gold.[21][22][23] Among the other tracks on this album by Ernia, special attention was also given to “Amici” which deals with Ernia's troubled childhood alongside Tedua; in an interview with Rolling Stone Italia, Ernia stated: “I tried to craft a narrative in the vein of Stephen King’s The Body: a story of kids grappling with something much bigger than themselves, yet experiencing it with a touch of naivety due to their age.”[6]
On 3 November 2017, the rapper released Come uccidere un usignolo/67, a reissue of his debut album featuring a second disc, conceived by the artist as the “second chapter of the saga” and titled 67 (an allusion to the title of 68, the album that Ernia would release next year).[6] The double album, consisting of sixteen tracks, features collaborations with Gué Pequeno and Mecna, on the songs “Disgusting” and “Tradimento (il traditore)”, respectively. Ranking among the top spots on the FIMI Album Chart, this ranking confirmed its positive reception from critics,[8][18][24] while “Disgusting” itself became a certified gold track.[25]
2018-2021: 68 and Gemelli
On 9 February 2019, Ernia released the song “La pelle del puma,” a commercial tribute to the partnership between AC Milan and Puma.[26] Preceded by the music videos for the tracks “Domani” and “Simba,” Ernia released his second studio album “68” on September 7, 2018 through Island Records. The album consists of twelve tracks, produced by Marz and Shablo, including the single 68. The album’s name is based on the bus of the same name that runs through Bonola, on the outskirts of the QT8 district.[27] The album cover is a reference to the cover photo of the January 1950 issue of the American magazine Vogue, taken by Erwin Blumenfeld.[28] On 7 March 2019, during the final show of the “68 Tour” in Milan, Ernia announced the release of a reissue of the album, titled 68 (Till the End).[29]: 0:15 It was set for release on April 5 and this new edition included a second CD featuring seven tracks, including the lead single “Certi giorni”, produced in collaboration with Nitro.[30]
On 19 June 2020, the third studio album Gemelli was released.[31] The title is meant to represent “two very similar sides that can have very different characteristics.”[32] The album is also accompanied by the single "Superclassico", released on the same day.[33] The album reached the top of the FIMI Album Chart,[34] and was certified five-times platinum;[35] the only single, "Superclassico", reached the top of the Top Singles chart,[36] and he earned seven platinum certifications.[37]
On 20 May 2021, a reissue of the album was released, titled Gemelli (ascendente Milano), featuring six previously unreleased tracks, including the single "Di notte" featuring Sfera Ebbasta and Carl Brave.
2022-2024: Io non ho paura
On 26 October 2022, Ernia announced his musical comeback through his social media channels, announcing his fourth studio album Io non ho paura. The album was released on 18 November 2022.[38] After debuting at the top of the FIMI Album chart,[39] was certified triple platinum.[40] Leading up to its release, promotional posters were displayed in various Italian cities bearing the phrase “Are you afraid of the new? You should be.”[41] On November 10, a documentary based on the album was released via Esse magazine, in which Ernia and various producers discussed the album’s creation and concept; various guest artists, including Rkomi, Gaia, Marco Mengoni, and Salmo, were also in the documentary.[42] The first single, "Bella fregatura", was released simultaneously with the album.[43]
On 26 May 2023, Ernia released the single "Parafulmini" in collaboration with Bresh and Fabri Fibra[44] and contributed to the album I nomi del diavolo by Kid Yugi, released on 1 March 2024, with the track "Nemico".
2025-present: Per soldi e per amore
On 19 September 2025, Ernia released his fifth studio album, Per soldi e per amore,[45][46] from which the single "Per te" was a part of.[47] The album consists of twelve tracks, including four collaborations with Club Dogo, Kid Yugi, Madame, Marracash,[48] Charlie Charles,[49] Dat Boi Dee, Don Joe, Marz, and Zef.[50][51] The album, after debuting at the top of the FIMI Album chart,[52] was certified platinum.[53]
Personal life
Since 2019, Ernia has been in a relationship with model and influencer Valentina Cabassi.[54] On 8 February 2025, he announced that they are expecting a daughter.[55] Their daughter, Sveva, was born on 7 July 2025.[56]
He has a sister who moved to Berlin in 2021; he dedicated the song “Berlino,” featured on the album Per soldi e per amore, to her.[57]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITA [58] |
SWI [59] | |||
| Come uccidere un usignolo[A] |
|
5 | — | |
| 68[B] | 1 | — |
| |
| Gemelli[64] |
|
1 | 61 |
|
| Io non ho paura |
|
1 | 32 |
|
| Per soldi e per amore |
|
1 | 23 |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| No Hooks |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITA | ||||
| "Tutto bene" | 2016 | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Venere" | — | |||
| "Fenomeno" (featuring Izi and Moses Sangare) |
— | |||
| "Ego" | 2017 | — | Come uccidere un usignolo | |
| "La pelle del puma" | 2018 | — | Non-album single | |
| "68" | 54 | 68 | ||
| "Certi giorni" (featuring Nitro) |
2019 | 42 |
| |
| "Superclassico" | 2020 | 1 |
|
Gemelli |
| "Nuove strade" (with Rkomi, Samurai Jay, Madame, Gaia and Andry the Hitmaker) |
51 | Non-album single | ||
| "Ferma a guardare" (featuring Pinguini Tattici Nucleari) |
2021 | 3 |
|
Gemelli |
| "Di notte" (featuring Sfera Ebbasta and Carl Brave) |
17 |
| ||
| "Bella fregatura" | 2022 | 5 |
|
Io non ho paura |
| "Il mio nome – Remix" (featuring Mara Sattei) |
2023 | 51 |
| |
| "Lewandowski X" | 43 | |||
| "Parafulmini" (with Bresh and Fabri Fibra) |
13 |
| ||
| "My Love!" (with Sixpm, Rose Villain and SLF) |
2024 | 87 | Non-album single | |
| "Per te" | 2025 | 2 |
|
Per soldi e per amore |
| "Berlino" | 19 |
|
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITA | ||||
| "Acqua calda e limone" (Rkomi featuring Ernia) |
2018 | 45 |
|
Ossigeno – EP |
| "Numb" (Merk & Kremont featuring Svea and Ernia) |
2020 | — | Non-album single | |
| "25 ore" (Guè featuring Ernia and Shablo) |
64 |
|
Mr. Fini | |
| "Kandinsky" (Don Joe featuring Ernia and Rose Villain) |
2021 | — | Milano soprano | |
| "Ricordi" (Epoque featuring Ernia) |
2023 | — | Tram 83 | |
| "Giorgia" (Suspect CB featuring Ernia) |
2024 | — | Eco | |
| "Il doc 4" (VillaBanks featuring Ernia, Emis Killa and Niky Savage) |
43 | Quanto manca 2 | ||
| "Istinto animale" (Don Joe featuring Guè, Annalisa and Ernia) |
29 | Non-album single | ||
| "Io vorrei 2024" (Gigi D'Alessio featuring Elodie and Ernia) |
78 | Fra | ||
| "Good Girl" (The Night Skinny featuring Rkomi, Ernia and Bresh) |
18 | Containers |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "I fantastici 4" | 2011 | GionnyScandal, Blema, Ghali | Haters Make Me Famous |
| "Follow Me" | 2012 | Guè, Ghali | Fastlife Mixtape Vol. 3 |
| "We lo zio" | 2013 | Ghali | Leader |
| "Non ci siamo" | Sfera Ebbasta | Emergenza Mixtape Vol. 1 | |
| "Bulletproof" | 2017 | Highsnob | PrettyBoy |
| "Male" | The Night Skinny | Pezzi | |
| "Garage" | 2018 | Crookers | Crookers Mixtape 2 |
| "Se mi perdo altrove" | 2019 | CoCo, Mecna | Acquario |
| "Numero 10" | The Night Skinny, Quentin40 | Mattoni | |
| "Novità" | The Night Skinny, Rkomi, Tedua | ||
| "Mattoni" | The Night Skinny, Noyz Narcos, Shiva, Guè, Speranza, Achille Lauro, Geolier, Lazza, Side Baby, Taxi B | ||
| "Lascia un segno" | Fabri Fibra, Rkomi | Il tempo vola 2002–2020 | |
| "Diamanti" | 2020 | Elodie | This Is Elodie |
| "Iqos" | Giaime | Mula | |
| "Bro II" | Tedua | Vita vera Mixtape: Aspettando la Divina Commedia | |
| "Soli al mondo" | Random | Montagne russe | |
| "Wow" | 2021 | Mecna | Mentre nessuno guarda |
| "Sirena" | MACE, Samurai Jay, DARRN | OBE | |
| "Per tutta la città" | Emis Killa, Jake La Furia | 17 (Dark Edition) | |
| "Nuda" | Madame | Madame | |
| "Polka 2" | Rosa Chemical, Guè | Forever and Ever | |
| "10 ragazze" | Rkomi | Taxi Driver | |
| "Via da qui" | TY1, Tiromancino | Djungle | |
| "Le mie note" | Leon Faun | C'era una volta | |
| "Sul 'a mia" | Lele Blade | Ambizione | |
| "Futura ex" | Guè | Guesus | |
| "Creatur" | 2022 | Sick Luke, Geolier | X2 |
| "Ci riuscirò davvero" | Luchè | Dove volano le aquile | |
| "Apri" | Salmo, Lucienn, Verano | Blocco 181 (Original Soundtrack) | |
| "Marciapiede" | The Night Skinny, Tony Effe, Rkomi | Botox | |
| "Prodotto" | The Night Skinny, Paky, Jake La Furia, Lazza | ||
| "Addio" | The Night Skinny, Rkomi, Mahmood, Gazzelle | ||
| "Sparami" | The Night Skinny, Ariete, CoCo | ||
| "Triste" | 2023 | Sacky, Neima Ezza | Quello vero |
| "In Heaven" | Nitro | Outsider | |
| "Fiumi rosé" | Don Joe, Neima Ezza | Don dada | |
| "Odio stare da solo" | Pyrex | Love Is War | |
| "McDrive (La Haine)" | Emis Killa | Effetto notte | |
| "Fiori d'orgoglio" | Marco Mengoni | Materia (Prisma) | |
| "Figlio unico" | Irama, Rkomi, Kid Yugi | No Stress | |
| "Diavoli" | Nerissima Serpe | Identità | |
| "Nemico" | 2024 | Kid Yugi | I nomi del diavolo |
| "Stan" | Rose Villain | Radio Sakura | |
| "Lumière" | MACE, Izi, Astro, Tony Boy | Māyā | |
| "Non mi vedi" | Baby Gang, Fabri Fibra, Geolier, Rkomi | L'angelo del male | |
| "Se fosse per me" | CoCo | Mai più forse | |
| "Take Me to the Beach (Remix)" | Imagine Dragons | Loom | |
| "Se corri" | Nayt | Lettera Q | |
| "Nei DM" | 2025 | Guè, Tormento | Tropico del Capricorno |
| "Milano Bloody Money" | Jake La Furia | Fame | |
| "Vorrei" | Rkomi | Decrescendo | |
| "Veleno" | |||
| "Notte blu II" | DJ Shocca, Frank Siciliano, Gemitaiz | 60 Hz II | |
| "Welcome to the Jungle" | Shablo, Joshua, Neffa | Manifesto | |
| "Russian Roulette" | Fabri Fibra | Mentre Los Angeles brucia | |
| "La bella confusione" | Charlie Charles, Madame | La bella confusione |
Notes
External links
References
- ↑ Giulia Sbaffi (26 July 2020). "Ernia, alias Matteo Professione: tutto sul rapper colto". DonnaGlamour.it. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ↑ Marco Beltramelli (21 June 2017). "Ernia, il cavaliere oscuro del rap italiano" (in Italian). Rockit.it. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ↑ Marco Beltramelli (21 June 2016). "Ernia, il cavaliere oscuro del rap italiano". Rockit. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- ↑ "A spasso con Ernia (intervista)". 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- ↑ Giulio Di Donna (January 21, 2018). "Ernia: "There's Baudelaire in My Rap"". Il Mattino. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- 1 2 3 Marta Blumi Tripodi (November 12, 2017). "*Ernia*, Between Harper Lee and Stephen King". Rolling Stone Italia. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ↑ Marco Beltramelli (21 June 2016). "Ernia, il cavaliere oscuro del rap italiano". Rockit. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- 1 2 "Ernia, Power to Words". Red Bull. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ↑ "Ernia: "A socially conscious rapper? I'm just a reader, but they arrested me too". la Repubblica. February 14, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ↑ Politano, Matteo (November 15, 2017). "La rivincita di Ernia è una bella storia di musica". Panorama. Italy: Tempo Libero, Musica. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ "The Major Labels' Embarrassing Choices: Troupe D'Elite". RapBurger. June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help) - ↑ "Le scelte imbarazzanti delle major: Troupe D'Elite" (in Italian). RapBuger.com. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ↑ "Troupe D'Elite – Il mio giorno preferito" (in Italian). Honiro Records. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ↑ Marta Blumi Tripodi (October 14, 2013). "I Troupe D'Elite on Amici di Maria De Filippi". Hotmc. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help) - ↑ Riccardo Rochira (November 23, 2017). "Flowers Bloom from Manure: Ghali and Ernia Avenge Troupe D'Elite". Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ↑ Luigi Bolognini (February 14, 2018). "Ernia: "A socially conscious rapper? I'm just a reader, but they arrested me too". la Repubblica. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Troupe D'Elite EP" (in Italian). Rockit.it. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- 1 2 3 Matteo Politanò (November 15, 2017). "La rivincita di Ernia è una bella storia di musica". Panorama. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ↑ Lorenzo Ricci Palermo (February 27, 2017). "Ernia: Redemption Has Arrived with "No Hooks"". Cash Blog. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help) - ↑ Paolo Bianco (November 3, 2017). "Ernia on Blogo: "Song of Unprovoked Human Malice"". Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ "ERNIA: il rapper esce con una nuova versione del suo album ed è subito tra i dischi più venduti della settimana". All Music Italia. November 12, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑
- ↑ Spadaro, Mirko (February 10, 2018). ""La Pelle del Puma" – Il Milan celebra l'accordo con il nuovo brand con il rap di Ernia [TESTO e VIDEO]". Sport Fair. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
- ↑ "Ernia, rapper di periferia: "Il 68, un disco e un autobus per andare lontano"". la Repubblica. September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Cover of the 1950 issue of American Vogue". Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ↑ Ernia - Till The End (Annuncio) on YouTube
- ↑ Simone Zani (March 27, 2019). "Ernia: "Certi Giorni" feat. Nitro anticipa "68 (Till The End)", in arrivo il 5 aprile". All Music Italia. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ↑ Simone Zani (June 4, 2020). "Ernia: la celebrazione della dualità nell'atteso nuovo album "Gemelli"". All Music Italia. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ↑ Matilde Manara (June 16, 2020). "Cosa sappiamo di "Gemelli", il nuovo disco di Ernia?". Outpump. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ↑ "Dieci canzoni per questa strana estate 2020". Il Secolo XIX. July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- ↑ "Gemelli di ernia debutta in cima alla hit parade". ANSA. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ↑
- ↑ "Classifiche FIMI, settimana 40 del 2020: guidano Emis Killa / Jake La Furia, bene Renato Zero". Recensiamo Musica. Ilario Luisetto. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ↑
- ↑ "Ernia "Io non ho paura", la data di uscita del quarto album". Sky TG24. October 26, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ↑ "Hit parade, Ernia e Guccini guidano le classifiche". ANSA. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ↑
- ↑ Alberto Muraro (October 26, 2022). "Ernia: annunciato il nuovo disco Io non ho paura. La data di uscita e quello che c'è da sapere". All Music Italia. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ↑ Ernia - Io non ho paura (New Album Documentary) on YouTube
- ↑ Giorgia Aldi (November 17, 2022). "ERNIA - BELLA FREGATURA (Radio Date: 11/18/2022)". EarOne. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ↑ "ERNIA con BRESH & FABRI FIBRA insieme per "Parafulmini"". Newsic. May 25, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ↑ "Il nuovo album di Ernia uscirà il 19 settembre". Billboard Italia. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Ernia's new album coming soon: "A Very Personal Album"". ANSA. September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Ernia, è uscito il brano Per te: testo e significato del singolo di Per Soldi e Per Amore". Sky TG24. September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Ernia ha svelato i feat del suo nuovo album". Billboard Italia. September 15, 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ "Il nuovo disco di Ernia sarà interamente prodotto da Charlie Charles". Billboard Italia. September 10, 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ↑ "Ernia torna con "Per soldi e per amore": "Passato, vita e famiglia, nel mio lavoro più personale"". TGcom24. September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ↑ Martina Mozzati (September 17, 2025). "Per Ernia, nel nuovo disco, "vince l'amore"". Cosmopolitan Italia. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Hit Parade, Ernia debutta in vetta alle classifiche". ANSA. September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
- ↑
- ↑ "Tutto su Valentina Cabassi, la bellissima modella fidanzata con Ernia". Cosmopolitan Italia. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ↑ "Valentina Cabassi e Ernia aspettano un bambino". Cosmopolitan Italia. February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ↑ "Ernia e Valentina Cabassi sono diventati genitori, è nata Sveva: "Una magia"". Adnkronos. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ↑ Fabrizio Basso (September 17, 2025). "Ernia:"Guardo il mondo e non posso che essergli grato"". Sky TG24. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Italian Charts - Ernia - Albums". Italiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ↑ "Swiss Charts - Ernia - Albums". Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ↑ Marco Beltramelli (2 November 2017). "Ernia torna con un doppio album: Esce domani Come uccidere un usignolo/67". Rockit.it. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Italian certifications – Ernia" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ Simone Zani (6 September 2018). "Videointervista a Ernia: ci sarà un prima e un dopo 68. Speriamo di prendere il bus per il centro!" (in Italian). AllMusicItalia.it. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ↑ "68 (Til the end), Ernia si diverte" (in Italian). Rockol.it. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ↑ Stefano Fisico (20 June 2020). "Ernia: Con Gemelli gioco sulla dualità del mio carattere e della musica". Billboard (in Italian). Retrieved 4 February 2021.