The Municipality of Rome definitely has a big problem to solve: after the announcement made in the last few hours regarding the cancellation of the rapper's participation Tony Effe al New Year's Concertsome of the leading artists who were supposed to perform for the occasion are calling themselves out, a gesture of protest against what some have defined as real censorship.
Why was Tony Effe excluded from the New Year's Concert in Rome?
Initially, the mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri he had managed to organize a respectable event by inviting Tony Effe, Mahmood And Mara Sattei to perform in the setting of the Circus Maximus to welcome the arrival of 2025. Unfortunately, however, controversial voices were immediately raised by the PD and some feminist associations, who asked the Municipality to retrace its steps due to the texts of Tony Effedefined as violent and misogynistic. A group of Democratic Party politicians had in fact defined the trapper's participation “in open contradiction with the laborious attempt to affirm a culture of respect and equality”. “I'm Tony, I don't even look at you, At ninety like this I can't even see you, You tell me that I'm a violent guy, But you only come when I'm missing you”, reads the text of Pone of the songs from his latest album Iconjust to give an example.
Within a few hours the First Citizen thus had to do an about-face, denying however that it was an attempt at censorship but underlining that the choice to have Tony Effe at the New Year's concert “it would have divided the city and offended the sensibilities of many”. However, the choice was very annoying and disappointing Live Concerts, Friends&Partners and artist management Pegasus Managementwho immediately expressed their disappointment with a note published in the last few hours. And it certainly doesn't end here.
Mahmood and Mara Sattei say no to the New Year's Concert in ROME
After what happened, with a social media statement, so be it Mahmood is Mara Sattei – who should have taken the same stage – decided to withdraw their participation, in solidarity with their colleague. These are the words of the artist of Gold suit:
I waited until the last minute because I was hoping to read different news than Tony Effe's exclusion 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.
I firmly believe that any form of art can be discussed and criticized but should not be censored.
These are the words of 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.
It now remains to be seen what will happen to the New Year's Concert in Rome. In fact, the event is just over 10 days away and none of the artists initially scheduled on the bill will participate as previously announced.
Cover image credits: Adriano Alia
