From Italian rap to the meeting with world music
The beginnings with Cecchetto At the end of the 1980s, Lorenzo Cherubini became known to all as Jovanotti. Born in Rome in 1966 but with family roots in Cortona, he stood out as a DJ and rapper in Claudio Cecchetto's vibrant musical laboratory. His overwhelming energy and a style that blended hip-hop and dance made him one of the most recognizable faces of new Italian music.
From the party to depth His path evolved rapidly: the "dancefloor" Jovanotti made room for an author who explored personal, social, and sentimental themes, while maintaining the rhythmic drive of rap and funk. His move toward world music and Italian songwriting led to important collaborations—from Franco Battiato to Ligabue, Laura Pausini to Sergio Mendes—creating a recognizable style in constant metamorphosis.
Cinema and writing for images Aware of the emotional potential of words, Jovanotti also ventured into cinema, winning a David di Donatello in 2010 for the song Baciami ancora, written for Gabriele Muccino. In 2017, he received a second nomination for L’estate addosso: music tailored to feelings, designed to accompany stories and images, always to the beat of the heart.
Lorenzo: Between family, roots, and identity
A life between Rome and Cortona The third of four children, Lorenzo grew up in Rome, but every return to Cortona was a homecoming: landscapes, dialects, and traditions became elements of his artistic imagery. At school, he attended the Malpighi scientific high school, while already cultivating a passion that led him to dream of consoles and stages.
Family as inspiration Many of his songs are born from deep personal bonds. He dedicated Mario to his father, while Le tasche piene di sassi is a delicate memory of his mother Viola. His brother Umberto, who died tragically in a 2007 plane crash, was celebrated first in In orbita and later in the touching Fango. Each track becomes living memory: music that holds both affection and wounds.
An artist with the world inside From the Sex Pistols to Latin American music, from African sounds to electronic fusions, Jovanotti brings everything that inspires him into his work: travels, cultures, rhythms, and encounters. A singer-songwriter who was never content with being just one thing, finding his true identity in the mix.
Songs as family
Every time life shook him, Lorenzo responded with a song. He transformed his love for his parents, the pain of losing his brother, and memories of his childhood in Cortona into music. For Jovanotti, writing is not just creating: it is safeguarding what truly matters.
From first steps as a DJ to the party phenomenon (1980–1989)
Radios and the first consoles In the early 80s, Lorenzo moved between Cortona and Rome: Radio Foxes, Tuchulcha, Radio Antenna Musica. During these years, he built his identity as a DJ, exploring genres still rare in Italy like hip-hop. Rome welcomed him into its fervent club scene, from Paper Moon to Veleno, to the legendary Piper Club. Here he met figures who would mark his life, like Fiorello and producer Giancarlo Meo.
The birth of Jovanotti In 1987 he released the singles Walking and Reggae 87: the start of his musical adventure. His stage name was born almost by chance from a printer's typo that transformed "Joe Vanotti" into "Jovanotti"—an error destined to become a recognizable brand for an entire generation. His style was that of a continuous party, an explosion of rhythm and irony in full dance/hip-hop style.
Cecchetto, Deejay Television, and the chart-topper Noticed by Marina, Claudio Cecchetto's former partner, he landed on Radio Deejay and then Deejay Television. 1988 was the year of national success: the single È qui la festa? and the album Jovanotti for President conquered the charts. Lorenzo became a cross-media star: TV, radio, books, and fashion. He published hits under other pseudonyms like Gino Latino and Jeronimo, experimenting relentlessly.
Sanremo and the boom of "La mia moto" In 1989 he arrived at Sanremo with Vasco, a tribute to his idol Vasco Rossi: an energetic appearance but marked by a sensational slip on stage—one of the Festival's most remembered moments. The record La mia moto sold hundreds of thousands of copies, turning Jovanotti into a lasting pop phenomenon.
The transformation: From the party to thought (1990–1992)
A new language of emotions In 1990, the album Giovani Jovanotti was released. Light tracks like Ciao mamma coexisted with deeper songs like Gente della notte: the first signal of an ongoing change. Fashions changed rapidly, and military service took him away from the spotlight, but the desire for evolution was already strong.
The conscious turn With Una tribù che balla (1991), the true metamorphosis began. Lyrics spoke of politics, rights, and new social horizons: Jovanotti injected commitment into the party, rhythm into civic themes. He refused to abandon music for TV, turning down prestigious roles at MTV and in commercial television to stay faithful to his artistic path.
Lorenzo 1992: Full rebirth In 1992 he published Lorenzo 1992, the record that officially marked the boundary with the past. The title itself bore his real name, as a gesture of identity and responsibility. Tracks like Non m’annoio and Ragazzo fortunato became soundtracks for the 90s generation: optimism, freedom, and the will to reinvent oneself.
Music as civil commitment In 1992 he composed Cuore in memory of Giovanni Falcone. It was a piece born on the fly, intended for airplay but not commercial release: a sincere gesture, a way to scream that music can react to horror.
The Sanremo slip
In 1989, Jovanotti entered Sanremo as a symbol of the new pop wave. But during the performance of Vasco, he slipped in front of millions of viewers: an embarrassing moment for anyone, but he laughed it off and kept singing. The fall didn't stop him: instead, he restarted from that stage stronger than before.
Thought in music: Commitment, spirituality, travels (1993–1999)
Lorenzo 1992 and the self-celebration of Italian rap In the first track of the album Lorenzo 1992, Jovanotti proudly claimed his role as a pioneer of hip-hop in our country. Alongside this work, he published his second book, Cherubini, a diary of travels and discoveries proving that the real world was his true school.
Collaborating with Gianna Nannini In 1993, Gianna Nannini wanted him for Radio Baccano: an overwhelming duet performed on the Festivalbar stage. It was a crucial step: Jovanotti proved he could be more than just a pop phenomenon, but a voice capable of integrating with major names in Italian rock.
Lorenzo 1994: Spirituality, politics, and new symbols In 1994 he published Lorenzo 1994, one of his best-selling albums. Penso positivo became a generational anthem: it united Che Guevara with Mother Teresa, Malcolm X with San Patrignano, in a vision where religious and ideological divisions dissolved into a single faith in life.
Beside civic reflections, love songs like Serenata rap and Piove triumphed, dominating music videos and European and South American charts. He toured all of Europe with Pino Daniele and Eros Ramazzotti, while founding his own label, Soleluna, a symbol of creative independence.
"L’ombelico del mondo" and international opening In 1995 L’ombelico del mondo arrived, taking him to the MTV Europe Music Awards in Rotterdam. The same year, he co-wrote Alleluja with Zucchero, marking a new point of contact between pop and world music.
"L’albero" and inner research In 1997 L’albero was released, an album steeped in ethnic rhythms and spiritual reflections. From Questa è la mia casa to La linea d’ombra, inspired by Joseph Conrad, Jovanotti chronicled a man traveling inside and outside himself.
Extreme travels and solidarity His travels in Latin America turned into art: Stella cometa was born, while he supported social causes like the Zapatista movement in Chiapas. In 1999 he became a father: the sweet Per te in Capo Horn recounted that joy. From the same album came Un raggio di sole, which won Festivalbar.
"Il mio nome è mai più": Music against war Also in 1999, he signed the pacifist single Il mio nome è mai più with Ligabue and Pelù: it was the best-selling single of the year, with all proceeds supporting Emergency.
The 2000s: New languages, new worlds, new consciousness
Cancel the debt: Politics on the Sanremo stage In 2000, he returned to the Ariston stage to call for canceling the debt of Third World countries: the song was a manifesto of international pacifism and activism. That same year, he participated in the tribute to Fabrizio De André, interpreting La cattiva strada.
"Il quinto mondo" and the voice of globalization With Lorenzo 2002 – Il quinto mondo, he addressed themes like ecology, rights, and global citizenship. The single Salvami was cited by Tiziano Terzani in the opening of Letters Against the War: an intellectual consecration of his musical writing.
Concerts for causes and landscapes The 2002 tour was a massive multicultural laboratory with 17 musicians on stage. An event-date at the Sanctuary of San Gabriele united music and the defense of territory against a new tunnel: when a province "censored" him, Jovanotti responded with an open letter, reaffirming that music will not be silenced.
Roma – Collettivo Soleluna and the bridge to Brazil In 2003, Roma – Collettivo Soleluna was born, a Latin project merging his vision with that of international musicians. Artists like Franco Cava reinterpreted Jova in a Brazilian key in the album BossaJova.
"Buon sangue": Adult energy In 2005 Buon sangue arrived, hitting number one in the charts and featuring collaborations with Planet Funk and Negramaro. Tanto³ and Mi fido di te became pop anthems of the new millennium.
Leave of absence for a song
During his military service, to obtain a fifteen-day leave of absence, Jovanotti wrote the track Asso for the series Classe di ferro. It wasn't inspiration that called him: it was pure barracks survival.
Safari, loss, civil commitment, and a new global pop (2007–2009)
"Ode al Sergente Pepe": Homage to the Beatles In 2007, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Jovanotti presented Ode al Sergente Pepe, a video tribute. An act of love for the record that revolutionized modern music, showing his gratitude toward the roots of global pop culture.
Winning collaborations and deep grief In 2007 he signed and participated in the Negramaro track Cade la pioggia. But the same year was marked by trauma: the death of his brother Umberto, a pilot, to whom Lorenzo dedicated the moving Fango. The song won the Mogol Prize in 2008, honoring a lyric that is both pain and rebirth combined.
"Safari": Success, records, and a monumental tour In 2008 Safari was released, recorded across Europe, the US, and Brazil. A te, dedicated to his wife Francesca, remained at number one for weeks and became one of the most loved songs in his repertoire. The Safari Tour invaded arenas and stadiums with thousands of fans everywhere.
Music as a social network Jovanotti created the first Italian "social-clip" with Mezzogiorno and received a Kids' Choice Award for environmental commitment. In 2009 he was among the promoters of the Domani 21/04.2009 project for earthquake victims. Meanwhile, he flew to the United States for a series of concerts, documented by OYEAH.
Selected video insights from the ItalianOpera channel:
Soundtracks, the stadium journey, and the 25-year celebration (2010–2015)
Cinema as a second home In 2010 he wrote Baciami ancora for Muccino's film of the same name and won a David di Donatello. He collaborated on Cesare Cremonini's single Mondo and continued to expand his international dimension with two mini-tours in North America.
"Ora": Present time, present emotions 2011 opened with the album Ora, preceded by Tutto l’amore che ho. The single Le tasche piene di sassi, dedicated to his mother Viola, won him the Mogol Prize. The Live – Ora in Tour was a triumph, though marred by the stage collapse in Trieste where a worker lost his life.
"Backup": 25 years of revolutions In 2012 he published Backup – Lorenzo 1987–2012, an anthology certified triple platinum. In 2013 the Backup Tour – Negli Stadi began, epic concerts that brought his rock-pop into the country's largest arenas.
Duets and recognition In 2013 he sang with Clementino on Fratello and with Max Pezzali on Tieni il tempo. He held a special concert in Cortona during the Mix Festival, open to the public at a symbolic price: an affectionate return to his Tuscan roots.
A showcase for the world In 2014 he was a guest of Zucchero at Madison Square Garden. At the end of the year, he released Sabato, preceding the album Lorenzo 2015 CC. and the Jovanotti Tour 2015.
A song to survive the dark
When he lost his brother Umberto in 2007, Jovanotti was crushed by grief. The answer came in music: Fango (Mud). A survival song, a way to stay upright when the world collapses. From that moment on, no one had any doubts: for him, to write is to live.
Between stage and major collaborations: A pop always in evolution (2015–2019)
A tribute to Pino Daniele On July 26, 2015, at Naples' Stadio San Paolo, Jovanotti joined Eros Ramazzotti in a moving tribute to the great Pino Daniele. A gesture of friendship and gratitude toward someone who marked the soul of Italian pop.
Cumbia, cinema, and new sounds In 2016 he collaborated with Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti on the single In questa grande città (la prima cumbia). That same year he signed the soundtrack for Gabriele Muccino's film Summertime (L’estate addosso).
"Oh, vita!" with Rick Rubin On December 1, 2017, Oh, vita! was released, produced by Rick Rubin: a return to essentiality, the word, and the original rhythm of rap and songwriting. It is an album that speaks of identity, freedom, and trust in change. This path made arenas explode with Lorenzo Live 2018.
"Jova Beach Party": Beach rock is born On July 6, 2019, from Lignano Sabbiadoro, the Jova Beach Party began: not just a concert, but an artistic ecosystem. Stages built on the sand, the sea, and a multi-generational crowd. After 12 stops on Italian beaches, the grand finale at Linate Airport drew over 100,000 people. Music became a popular festival, a collective ritual, and an environmental project.
Selected video insights from the ItalianOpera channel:
The global Jova: Streaming, Sanremo, resilience, and new visions (2020–2025)
The boom and the second beach era In 2021 he announced the new Jova Beach Party 2 and released the singles Il boom and La primavera. He continued to work with Rick Rubin on a new album, refining an increasingly international vision between the Mediterranean and California.
Sanremo: Author and winner In 2022 he wrote Apri tutte le porte for Gianni Morandi, with which the Bolognese artist won the covers night at the Sanremo Festival. Also in 2022, he duetted with Elisa on Palla al centro, released I Love You Baby, and then the EPs Mediterraneo and Il disco del Sole.
Falls and rebirths In 2023, while traveling in Santo Domingo, he suffered a serious bicycle accident, breaking his collarbone and femur. The rehabilitation was long, but he built a narrative of resilience around it, returning to TV in May 2024 as a guest on Viva Rai2! and continuing to work on new music.
"Il corpo umano vol. 1" In December 2024 he announced Il corpo umano vol. 1, published on January 31, 2025: an album reflecting on the body as a place of life, toil, and celebration. It was preceded by the singles Montecristo and Fuorionda.
Return to Sanremo as a guest In February 2025 he returned to Sanremo with a medley of his classics and the track Un mondo a parte. On stage, he read a text by philosopher Franco Bolelli alongside his friend Gianmarco Tamberi: a powerful moment of art and reflection.
New songs, new horizons In May 2025 Occhi a cuore was released, followed by Oceanica with Merk & Kremont. Jovanotti continues to look forward, mixing pop, electronics, global fusions, and urban poetry: always ready to reinvent himself without ever losing his rebellious smile.
The fall and the ride
In 2023, Jovanotti fell from his bike in Santo Domingo and broke his collarbone and femur. He could have stopped. Instead, he transformed the fall into a new story to tell, returning to the stage more determined than before: for him, even the uphill climb is a dance.
© Collezione Varrone & Romano (Tutti i diritti riservati).