Rome's New Year's concert at the Circo Massimo has become embroiled in controversy following the exclusion of rapper Tony Effe due to backlash over his lyrics, which many have deemed sexist and misogynistic. The city's decision to withdraw Effe's invitation has resulted not only in condemnation from the rapper's fans but also led to prominent artists, like Mahmood and Mara Sattei, announcing their own withdrawals from the event in solidarity.
The saga began when Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri initially confirmed Tony Effe's participation as one of the main artists for the New Year's concert. The announcement faced immediate outcry from various feminist groups and political factions, urging the administration to reconsider Effe's presence due to the content of his music. Despite the initial backing, following sustained public pressure, Gualtieri and the city council opted to cancel Effe's performance. He was officially informed of this decision on December 16.
Gualtieri stated his reasoning for the cancellation, clarifying, "This is not censorship but rather about the appropriate use of public resources and avoiding potential division among our citizens." He maintained the concert should serve as a unifying event for the city, rather than cause friction, especially considering the sensitive nature of the discussions surrounding violence against women and respect for individual rights.
Tony Effe had attempted to quell the controversy prior to the concert's announcement, stating via Instagram, "I respect and love all women and I regret anyone who thinks otherwise. Rome, I’ll see you on New Year's Eve." Yet, as public discontent grew, the decision against him was deemed necessary by the authorities.
Following the announcement of Effe's exclusion, Mahmood was the first to take to social media expressing his disappointment. "I hoped to read different news instead of Tony Effe’s exclusion from the New Year’s concert. I believe it is censorship, and so I have decided not to participate as well. I am firmly convinced any form of art can be discussed and criticized, but censorship should not exist," he wrote. His sentiments echoed those of many, who viewed the administration's decision as stifling artistic expression.
Mara Sattei joined together with Mahmood to withdraw, stating, "Given the decisions related to the New Year’s concert, I will also not participate. I do not find it correct to prevent any artist from performing, depriving them of their freedom of expression." Her exit left the lineup for the New Year's event critically diminished, with the potential for complete cancellation looming.
Further complicity and solidarity from the music community arose as artists like Emma Marrone and Lazza criticized the exclusion. Marrone remarked on Instagram, "I find it truly a terrible gesture to exclude Tony Effe from the concert, robbing a young man of the chance to perform in his city. This is also harmful to music itself and art as a whole – it is a violent form of censorship." Lazza also voiced his outrage, stating, "Every time someone from rap gets involved with mainstream situations, there’s always someone wanting to blame them for something. Stop censoring the work of others just because you don't understand it!"
The controversy extended beyond the concert; Tony Effe's involvement with the upcoming Sanremo Music Festival has also been called out. The non-profit organization Codacons has urged the festival to reconsider allowing Effe to participate, asserting the need for moral accountability, especially when taxpayer money funds public performances.
The national conversation has unfolded rapidly, as public figures continue to weigh in on the matter. Giulia De Lellis, Tony Effe's partner, voiced her defense by quoting Robert Frost, saying, "Something is off, something is missing, among those who want to silence someone who sings," highlighting the lack of freedom of artistic creativity.
While the Rome administration maintains the decision was not about censorship but about community welfare, public sentiment remains polarized as the concert's fate hangs precariously. The backlash raises questions about artistic freedom, public accountability, and moral responsibility in the cultural sector, weaving together personal and political threads of free expression.
Overall, as Mahmood and Mara Sattei's withdrawals draw attention to artistic solidarity, the future of the New Year's event risks being overshadowed by debates on propriety and censorship, posing fundamental questions about how culture and art intersect with social values and public sentiments.
