Ernia

Matteo Professione (aka Ernia) is a popular Italian rapper known for his thoughtful lyrics and a smooth, controlled style that spans pop-rap, trap, and conscious hip-hop. He broke into the mainstream with his 2017 debut Come uccidere un usignol which, like each record that followed (68, Gemelli, Io non ho paura, and Per soldi e per amore), was certified platinum. Ernia was born in the QT8 district of Milan in 1983, an area that features heavily in his material. He co-founded the hip-hop collective Troupe D’Elite in 2011 with Ghali, Maite, and producer Fawzi, releasing an EP and a full-length effort before disbanding in 2014. After a brief stint living in London where he worked various jobs, Ernia returned to Italy and launched his solo career, releasing his debut album, Come uccidere un usignol, in 2017. He continued to highlight his literary and introspective approach to rap, focusing on both socio-political issues and his own personal journey on subsequent efforts 68 (2018), Gemelli (2020), and Io non ho paura (2023), the latter of which went triple-platinum. Per soldi e per amore, his fifth long-player, appeared in 2025. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi