Amir Issaa

Amir Issaa is an award-winning rapper, author, and Hip Hop educator. He was one of the first in Italy to rethink rap as an educational tool. Born in Rome to an Egyptian father and Italian mother, he is one of the founders of the legendary Rome Zoo collective. His discography remains highly relevant today thanks to its content; he was one of the first second-generation artists in Italy to address the issues of identity and systemic racism in his pioneering 2006 album, Uomo di prestigio, published by EMI / Virgin. Since 2015, Amir has bridged the gap between urban culture and the global academic world, lecturing at many prestigious institutions including Georgetown, Stanford, NYU, Berkeley, the University of Toronto, and many others. His “Power to the Words” methodology uses hip-hop to explore social justice. His autobiography, This is What I Live For, is a landmark in modern cultural studies. His multidisciplinary impact is cemented by high-profile accolades: a David di Donatello nomination for the soundtrack of Scialla!, co-produced with The Ceasars, the MLA Lois Roth Award, and the Flaiano International Prize (2024). His expertise in the field of education is also reflected in his publications, such as Educazione Rap and Rap in classe (2025), winner of the BELMA award. Amir Issaa remains a unique figure on the international scene, demonstrating how hip-hop is a fundamental tool for social change.