SIt’s causing discussion the exclusion of Tony Effe from the New Year’s Concert organized by the Municipality of Rome. The rapper was asked not to perform for his “sexist lyrics”. “I respect women,” replied the artist. The organizers of the event and the singer’s management denounced the “image damage” of this reversal. The boomerang effect, for the Municipality of Rome, is striking. In the last few hours, many colleagues have been taking sides with the rapper. Among the many, Mahmood decided to give up the concert out of solidarity. And with him Mara Sattei.
Tony Effe outside the Roman New Year. Is it censorship?
«The rapper’s choice offended the sensibilities of many, there were bipartisan appeals. The New Year’s concert must unite”: this is how the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, explained to Messenger the decision to exclude the singer from the New Year’s Eve event, after having invited him. Decision motivated by accusations of sexism and misogyny leveled at some of his songs.
The artist was then asked not to perform: «We made a mistake for which I also apologized to Tony Effe», adds the mayor of the city.
To those who point out that the singer will perform in SanremoGualtieri replies without mincing words: «It’s one thing to sing a song together with dozens of others, it’s another thing to be the face of a city on New Year’s Eve with our own resources”. Adding that the artist will always be able to perform in Rome, but not at this event.
Mahmood and Mara Sattei give up the New Year’s concert in Rome out of solidarity
(Instagram Stories @mahmood)
Mayor Gualtieri’s step backwards aroused even more criticism than the choice to invite Tony Effe. Now many artists are taking a stand on the topic. Like Mahmood who, via social media, announced his choice to side with his colleague.
«I waited until the last minute because I was hoping to read different news than the exclusion of Tony Effe from the New Year’s Eve in Rome. I believe it is a form of censorship which is why I also decide not to participate in the capital’s New Year’s Eve” he wrote in the Instagram Stories. Reiterating his no to any form of censorship: «I firmly believe that any form of art can be discussed and criticized but there must be no censorship”.
Following in Mahmood’s footsteps, also Mara Sattei. «Given the decisions made regarding the New Year’s Eve in Rome, I too will not take part in the event. I don’t think it’s right to prevent an artist from performing, depriving him of his freedom of expression.”
Noemi, Lazza and Emma stand in solidarity with Tony Effe
But there are many artists who have spoken out in defense of Tony Effe. «I think censoring artists is not the solution. Art must remain a place of expression, even when it causes discussion”he wrote Naomi on social media.
«I find it a bad gesture to exclude Tony Effe from the New Year’s Eve concert in Rome depriving a boy of performing in his city. He’s not a bad person and he hasn’t hurt anyone. But it is equally a bad gesture towards all music and art in general. A form of “violent” censorship that cannot be tolerated and justified on the threshold of 2025″Emma’s words.
«Stop censoring other people’s work because you don’t think it’s work and then you look for excuses to prove yourself right, it’s you who doesn’t understand”, the social outburst of Lazza.
Giulia De Lellis: «Music is discussed, not censored»
Before Mahmood, it was Tony Effe’s girlfriend, Giulia De Lellis, who criticized Mayor Gualtieri’s choice. «Music, like all art, is discussed. There is no censorship”he wrote in the Instagram Stories.
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