VAlerio Scanu beats Fabri Fibra, not in the ranking, but in court. Twelve years after the passage of the song To me of youthe Court of Cassation placed an end to a long judicial affair that saw the rapper and the singer contrast. The sentence confirms the condemnation for defamation of Fabrizio Tarducci, aka Fabri Fibra, and his former record company Universal Music Italia. And it establishes compensation of 70,000 euros in favor of Valerio Scanu, marking a significant precedent for the world of music and art in Italy.
Fabri Fibra sentenced for defamation: the decision of the Cassation
The focus of the dispute lies in the text of To me of yousong of 2013 included in the album War and Peace. In the song, Fabri Fibra had inserted explicit references to Valerio Scanu, with phrases that the latter considered denigratory. Among the most contested expressions they include “In reality he is a woman” and “I lowered his pants and he had a thong”. Words that, according to the judges, have raised the boundaries of artistic freedom. And who injured the honor and reputation of the Sardinian singer.
Valerio Scanu against Fabri Fibra: a ten -year war
The legal battle began in 2015, When Valerio Scanu presented a complaint for defamation against Fabri Fibra. From that moment, the case has crossed several degrees of judgment. In 2016, the Milan court issued a first sentence. Subsequently, the civil sentence of the Court of Appeal arrived, which raised compensation to 70,000 euros. After years of waiting and uncertainty, the Court of Cassation has confirmed the sentence in full, making the sentence definitive and unappealable.
Fabri Fibra sentenced to compensate Valerio Scanu (ANSA)
According to the Cassation Fabri Fibra has exceeded the limits of artistic freedom
The decision of the Cassation is based on a fundamental principle: Artistic freedom is not an unlimited right and cannot justify personal attacks, free offenses or denigrations. The Supreme Court clarified that the expressions used by Fabri Fibra in the passage, although being able to return to a satirical or provocative context, have exceeded the allowed limits. In fact, they represented an injury to the honor and reputation of Valerio Scanu. The judges underlined the importance of balanced the right to artistic expression with the right to dignity and respect for the person.
Valerio Scanu compensation. For his lawyers he was the victim of “an unjustifiable offense”
Valerio Scanu has chosen not to publicly comment on the sentence. On the contrary, he has chosen to focus on his musical activity and future projects. His lawyers, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the process, defining the sentence “a right conclusion for a free and disproportionate personal attack”.
Scanu against fiber: the sentence is a precedent that traces a road
Fabri Fibra’s condemnation for the text of a song represents a significant precedent in the Italian music scene. And raises questions about the future of the provocation in music. On rap, in particular. The sentence, in fact, places specific limits to expressive freedom, reminding the artists that their creations cannot harm the fundamental rights of the person.
The Fabri-Valerio Scanu case case thus punishes the importance of conscious use and responsible for artistic expression. Especially in a context in which the border between provocation and offense can be subtle and easily overcome. This verdict could induce artists to greater caution in the choice of words to be used in the texts. Because, as Nanni Moretti shouted in Red Palombella“Words are important”.
I woman © RESERVED REPRODUCTION