Blanco: “No labels, I’m fine like this”

He has come of age a few months ago Riccardo Fabbriconi aka Blanco, but from his mass of music produced, the collaborations, the platinum records and the popularity he has achieved, he seems to be an artist already more than seasoned. However, there is something more to add and which perhaps represents the most significant fact: this boy from Brescia went further, tangibly disrupting Italian music. Although he was immediately called a “trapper”, he managed to discard this cumbersome label that had been pinned on him a little too hastily.

His punk attitude often found in his “shouted” singing, the aesthetics he puts into the videos and the emotional charge that comes out of his lyrics, make Blanco a new character. In his songs there is often something decadent, a sad feeling that accompanies the lyrics and the interpretation. We are perhaps facing the phase of the Italian “post trap” which seems to be very close to songwriting.
He claimed to have approached writing almost by chance, dedicating his first song to a girl, showing an innate and spontaneous talent for music and especially for writing. Blanco made his debut in June 2020 with Belladonna (adieu), which followed White nights, e Flower Thief. Then it was the turn of the very successful collaboration with Mace and Salmo ne Our Song. In February 2021 it comes out Blinders (certified Platinum) and the collaboration with Madame in the song Everybody dies, to then get to its most recent history to the single You drive Me crazy with Sfera Ebbasta, one of the most listened to (and sung) songs by young and old Italians last summer. Now we are at the debut album, Celestial Blue. We have listened to it in preview and it confirms what was said previously; 12 tracks, a musical diary where Blanco narrates and sings his wild romanticism, sometimes delicate, sometimes impetuous.

Would you ever have expected this summer success?
«Absolutely not, it was all very unexpected. Keep in mind that then Sleepless nights (that with You drive Me crazy it was the big summer hit) it came out a year ago, so if I think about it it seems absolutely absurd “

Its origins?
“I was born in Brescia and raised in Calvagese della Riviera”.

Are you fond of your country?
“Very very much. As a child I suffered the boredom of living in a small provincial village (3000 inhabitants) and then I realized that it was this same boredom that gave me the impetus to spend the time in something I liked, that made me feel good. Growing up and living in a country a little out of this world – in addition to the peace that is fundamental for me now – keeps you grounded, everyone knows you for what you have always been and it is beautiful ».

What are its influences? His musical reference points?
«A lot of space between the plays. But what inspired me the most were the great songwriters of the past: Battato, Battisti, Celentano, Lucio Dalla, Gino Paoli to name a few. Artists who have written immortal songs, which can be appreciated by all generations ».

How are you experiencing this moment of success?
«In the lightest way, really super easy. I continue to live in my country and to hang out with my four friends. I’m fine and that’s okay. I am aware of everything that is happening from my social profiles, but I am living it in a very calm way, seriously ».

What is the song you composed that you are most fond of?
«Surely Blue Celeste which then became the title track of the album ».

They labeled her, in my opinion rather incorrectly, as a rapper or a trapper. For me, however, he is more of a songwriter. Who does Blanco think he is musically?
«I don’t like it when you try to label me. What really interests me is making music. That this is rock, pop, punk for me is always music and that’s the only thing that counts. People tend to put in drawers and give labels, instead the music should be listened only and exclusively without giving too many definitions. Then, honestly, I was never interested in the definitions that the press gave me. Trapper, rapper or anything else does the same for me ».

Its aesthetic is also quite far from the harsh and aggressive image of the suburban trapper. His character on social media or in videos looks very different. His photos seem to come out of the imagination of photographers like Nan Goldin or Larry Clark. Patinated but artistic.
«In reality, the people who work with me and I have never thought about creating a glossy image. We try with photos and videos to best express what my personality is. I have never gone out of my standard. Making a video in a suit and tie wouldn’t have been feasible, it’s not me. One day maybe I will, but only if I want to do it myself. For now I have a lot of fun doing this kind of shooting. Each video is more physical suffering (ride) than mental, but it is beautiful ».

Why the choice to often appear bare-backed and in underwear?
«For the reason I have just explained to you. It was by no means a structural choice. I often go around the house in my underwear because this is me ».

It has been defined as “the face of something new, more punk, emotional and direct than its predecessor.”
«On definitions I always prefer not to express myself. I’m always afraid of being arrogant. I like when they tell me that I am a direct person, this is a definition that I have always liked and that reflects my character ».

He has just come of age, and regardless of his young age he has already produced a lot of music. Do you feel like the progenitor of a new generation of Italian music?
«Look, I don’t want to be anyone’s example. What interests me is making music. It gives me enormous pleasure to have so many people who appreciate my work, but I certainly don’t aim to be the progenitor of something. I follow my musical instinct and if one day the Blanco era will be born I will be very happy. For now we are still in the Vasco era who for me is still the undisputed king of Italian music ».

Where does Blanco want to go?
«I have goals, but not expectations which are very important to me. I want to keep making a lot of music without having high expectations of success. I hope to continue to do this job by focusing mainly on the passion that I have had since I started. I hope never to lose it ».

How did you experience the lockdown period?
«It was certainly a very bad and heavy time. Finding yourself locked in the house for six months was a shock to go crazy that especially affected us young people. For me it was important to make music. I was able to channel my positivity into this ».

Will it be possible to go on tour as soon as possible?
«Sure, and I hope this happens as soon as possible. But I am waiting for a moment when sitting will not be compulsory. For my concert I would like the audience to dance, sweat, pog “.