Some time ago, I came across a LinkedIn post by Marco Biondi, a renowned radio host whom I follow and admire. What he wrote sparked an interesting reflection on the state of music in Italy, the impact that streaming platform charts can have in representing (or failing to represent) our musical landscape, and, above all, the consumption of rap music.
The chart Marco commented on LinkedIn shows the most listened-to music genres on Spotify in 2024. Our country stands out from the rest of the continent: in Italy, rap and hip-hop not only prevail but hold an almost absolute dominance.
But how much does this snapshot truly reflect Italy? And how meaningful is it in relation to the real and diversified music consumption in our country?
Most streamed songs on Spotify in 2024: platform dynamics
As Marco Biondi points out, it's important to remember that Spotify isn’t the "Bible of music". The musical reality is much broader and more complex: a significant portion of Italians also listens to other genres, attends rock, pop, indie, and alternative concerts. The platform, although popular, does not represent the entire Italian music audience but rather a demographic mainly composed of young adults aged 18 to 34. Yet, we must ask ourselves how consciously this age group uses Spotify.
It’s possible that many users repeatedly listen to the same two or three mainstream songs because they are “pushed” by editorial or algorithmic playlists rather than a genuine interest in the genre or the artist. This leads to a homogeneity that can be misleading in representing the true musical preferences of Italians.
Rap and hip-hop: a real domination?
In Italy, rap and hip-hop seem to dominate the charts, but it’s fair to ask: are those who stream the most popular tracks truly aficionados of the genre? Do they genuinely know hip-hop discography and its history? Is the general audience that listens to the top two or three names really representative of the Italian rap and hip-hop movement? The answer is almost always no. Furthermore, within this genre, how valid is the music presented at the top of these charts?
I write this as a young professional in the music industry who grew up with rap, a genre I love and that has accompanied me since childhood. For this reason, I believe it’s important to clarify what rap truly represents and not reduce it to a fleeting trend or superficial charts influenced by those who, very often, know little to nothing about rap (such as many streaming platforms users who consume it).
Most of the rap tracks dominating the charts (though not all) follow commercial formulas and often sacrifice originality and artistic depth. There’s nothing wrong with unprepared listeners enjoying a particular genre, but the problem arises when this superficial listening leads to a limited vision and, worse yet, to considering oneself an expert in a genre or, in general, in music without ever delving deeper.
This attitude risks skewing the charts and feeding a vicious cycle: listening to two rap songs doesn’t make you a rap fan, nor does it represent the prototype of a real rap fan or their tastes. Those of us who seriously follow rap don’t feel represented by the pseudo-rebellious individuals who consume “trashy” rap, yet it’s often precisely these individuals whom people associate with the genre. The result is distorted charts, influencing statistics, public perception and often overshadowing more deserving artists and productions (a problem across all genres). On our platform, we’ve always said: don’t give too much importance to charts because they don’t determine an artist’s value.
In the music world (but actually in all sectors), people tend to think they know everything and ignore those who have studies, experience and expertise in the field. Yes, everyone can listen to songs and have their opinions and tastes, of course, but people must accept that there is someone who understands more about it. This doesn’t diminish the value of personal opinions but recognizes that engaging with those who have more knowledge and experience can indeed enrich one’s perspective on that particular subject, not just in music but in any field. Only in this way humans can evolve.
Do Italians have a (musical) problem?
Probably, but the real issue isn’t the dominance of rap on Spotify charts. The problem, as Marco also agrees, is cultural: we place too much importance on Spotify and the numbers it generates, forgetting that music is about experience, discovery, culture, and variety. Reducing everything to a chart risks impoverishing public perception and homogenizing the artistic offering. We also pay too much attention to those who (for trends, appearances, or "character-building") claim to be connoisseurs of a genre they know nothing about.
The issue is a narrow vision and an excessive dependence on platforms that, while extraordinary tools, cannot replace the richness and complexity of the Italian music scene. Moral of the story: listen to whatever you want but don’t present yourself as the prototype of a genre’s listener if you don’t know anything about it!
It’s time to look beyond numbers and rediscover the variety of music found in concerts, physical albums, independent radio, and the personal choices of those who experience it as a journey rather than a trend.
We leave you with a 2015 Fabri Fibra that remains relevant and describes rap in our country: