Marco Mengoni
Encyclopedia
Marco Mengoni is an Italian singer. He rose to fame in 2009, after winning the third season of Italian talent show
The X Factor
. The following year he ranked third in the 60th Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Credimi ancora". As of January 2011, he has sold a total of 220,000 copies in Italy with his first two EPs and his live album Re matto live
. In 2010 he became the first Italian artist to win the Best European Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards
.
His first full-length studio album, Solo 2.0, was released in September 2011.
(Viterbo
, Italy
). Before starting his singing career, he graduated in industrial design
and he started studying Languages in Rome
, occasionally working as a barman.
He started singing at the age of 16 and two years later he founded his first band.
, and Mengoni was chosen to be among Morgan's top 4 contestants and perform on the live shows.
During the live shows, he sang songs in many very different styles, including AC/DC
's "Back in Black
", Michael Jackson
's "Man in the Mirror
" and "Billie Jean
", Mia Martini
's "Almeno tu nell'universo", The Beatles
' "Helter Skelter", Prince
's Kiss, David Bowie
's "Ashes to Ashes
" and Nina Simone
's "My Baby Just Cares for Me
". As a result, he received the congratulations and admiration of many famous singers such as Mina
, Giorgia
, Elisa, and Adriano Celentano
.
He was announced as the winner on 2nd December 2009, winning a 300,000 € recording contract.
", another new song titled "Lontanissimo da te", and 5 covers previously performed during the X Factor contest. The EP peaked at number 9 in the Italian Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry.
In February 2010 he participated in the 60th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Credimi Ancora", and finished third in the contest. "Credimi Ancora" subsequently peaked at number 3 in the Italian Chart and was included in Mengoni's second EP, titled Re matto
that was released on February 17, 2010. The 7-track EP also contained the singles "Stanco (Deeper Inside)" and "In un giorno qualunque".
In 2010 he won the TRL award
in the category "MTV Man of the Year" and the MTV Europe Music Award in the category "Best European Act", after being voted "Best Italian Act".
His first tour, the Re matto tour, started on 3 May 2010 and consisted of 56 two-hour shows all around Italy.
During the tour, he collaborated with the choreographer Luca Tommassini, who has also worked with celebrities such as Madonna
and Michael Jackson
. On tour Marco performed a wide range of covers in addition to his own material, including "Live and Let Die
", "Satisfaction
", "Mad World
", "Proud Mary" and "Tears in Heaven
".
A CD of the tour, along with a DVD, was released with the title Re matto live
on 19 October 2010. The album peaked at number one in Italy and was certified Platinum.
and rock music
, the album also includes tracks featuring the Italian a cappella
group Cluster and the orchestra
directed by Fabio Gurian.
Released on 27 September 2011, Solo 2.0 debuted at number one on the Italian Albums Chart. To promote the album, Mengoni will embark on an Italian tour, the Solo 2.0 Tour, starting from 26 November 2011 in Milan
.
with pop rock
tones. During an Interview in late 2009 he defined his musical style as "British/black".
In several interviews, he has claimed that one of his most relevant influences is The Beatles
, . while Maurizio Porro described his voice as being like a "captivating miaow".
Talent show
A talent show is an event where participants perform their talent or talents of acting, singing, dancing, acrobatics, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, and other activities to showcase a unique form of talent, sometimes for a reward, trophy or prize...
The X Factor
X Factor (Italy)
X Factor is a successful TV show airing on prime time in Italy. The singing competition is the Italian version of The X Factor franchise...
. The following year he ranked third in the 60th Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Credimi ancora". As of January 2011, he has sold a total of 220,000 copies in Italy with his first two EPs and his live album Re matto live
Re matto live
Re matto live is the first live album by Italian singer Marco Mengoni, released on 19 October 2010 by Sony Music. It features songs from his previous EPs, Re matto and Dove si vola, as well as covers of popular songs, originally performed by Italian singers such as Mina and Mia Martini, or by...
. In 2010 he became the first Italian artist to win the Best European Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards
MTV Europe Music Awards
The MTV Europe Music Awards were established in 1994 by MTV Networks Europe to celebrate the most popular music videos in Europe. Originally beginning as an alternative to the American MTV Video Music Awards, the MTV Europe Music Awards is today a popular celebration of what MTV viewers consider...
.
His first full-length studio album, Solo 2.0, was released in September 2011.
Early life
Marco Mengoni was born in RonciglioneRonciglione
Ronciglione is a city and comune in the province of Viterbo, Lazio , c. 20 km from Viterbo. The city is located in the Cimini mountains, over two tuff scarps, on the SE slope of the former volcano crater now housing the Vico's Lake....
(Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
). Before starting his singing career, he graduated in industrial design
Industrial design
Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production...
and he started studying Languages in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, occasionally working as a barman.
He started singing at the age of 16 and two years later he founded his first band.
X Factor
In 2009 he auditioned for the third series of the Italian talent-show X Factor. His category (16-24 year olds) was mentored by MorganMorgan (singer)
Marco Castoldi better known by his stage name Morgan is an Italian singer, musician and multi-instrumentalist...
, and Mengoni was chosen to be among Morgan's top 4 contestants and perform on the live shows.
During the live shows, he sang songs in many very different styles, including AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
's "Back in Black
Back in Black (song)
"Back in Black" is a song by AC/DC, appearing as the first track on side two of their 1980 album, Back in Black. Known for its opening guitar riff, the song was AC/DC's tribute to their former singer Bon Scott...
", Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's "Man in the Mirror
Man in the Mirror
"Man in the Mirror" is a song recorded by Michael Jackson and written and composed by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. It peaked at number one in the United States when released as a single in January 1988 off his seventh solo album, Bad. It is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs and...
" and "Billie Jean
Billie Jean
"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop/R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written, composed, and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones from the singer's sixth album, Thriller . Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and...
", Mia Martini
Mia Martini
Mia Martini was an Italian singer.-Early life:Born Domenica Bertè in 1947 in Bagnara Calabra , she moved to Rome with her sister and her friend Renato Zero.-Career:She recorded her first records as Mimì Berté, but she soon decided to change her name to Mia...
's "Almeno tu nell'universo", The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "Helter Skelter", Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
's Kiss, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's "Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie song)
"Ashes to Ashes" is a single by David Bowie, released in 1980. It made #1 in the UK and was the first cut from the Scary Monsters album, also a #1 hit. As well as its musical qualities, it is noted for its innovative video, directed by Bowie and David Mallet...
" and Nina Simone
Nina Simone
Eunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
's "My Baby Just Cares for Me
My Baby Just Cares for Me
"My Baby Just Cares for Me" is a jazz standard written by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was written for the 1930 film version of the 1928 Ziegfeld musical comedy Whoopee!, starring Eddie Cantor. It is known as the signature tune of singer and pianist Nina Simone.-Nina Simone...
". As a result, he received the congratulations and admiration of many famous singers such as Mina
Mina (singer)
Anna Maria Quaini, Grand Officer , known as Mina, is an Italian pop singer. She was a staple of Italian television variety shows and a dominant figure in Italian pop music from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s known for her three-octave vocal range, the agility of her soprano voice, and her image as an...
, Giorgia
Giorgia Todrani
Giorgia Todrani, best known as Giorgia is an Italian female singer and song-writer, known for her soulful voice, which is aided by a wide vocal range, high belting register and great vocal abilities. She is one of the most iconic and famous Italian singers. She has released ten studio albums,...
, Elisa, and Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, film director and TV host.-Biography:Celentano was born in Milan at 14 Via Gluck, about which he later wrote the famous song "Il ragazzo della via Gluck"...
.
He was announced as the winner on 2nd December 2009, winning a 300,000 € recording contract.
After X Factor: Dove si vola and Re matto
His first EP, titled Dove si vola, was released on 4 December 2009. It contained his first single "Dove si volaDove si vola
-Charts:- Year-end charts :- Personnel :* Marco Mengoni – vocals* Pietro Caramelli – mastering* Alessandra Tisato – photography* Daniela Boccadoro – graphics...
", another new song titled "Lontanissimo da te", and 5 covers previously performed during the X Factor contest. The EP peaked at number 9 in the Italian Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry.
In February 2010 he participated in the 60th edition of the Sanremo Music Festival with the song "Credimi Ancora", and finished third in the contest. "Credimi Ancora" subsequently peaked at number 3 in the Italian Chart and was included in Mengoni's second EP, titled Re matto
Re matto
Re matto is the second studio EP by Italian singer Marco Mengoni. In Italy the album sold more than 82.000 copies and received Platinum certification from the Federation of the Italian Music Industry....
that was released on February 17, 2010. The 7-track EP also contained the singles "Stanco (Deeper Inside)" and "In un giorno qualunque".
In 2010 he won the TRL award
TRL Awards (Italy)
The Italian TRL Awards were established in 2006 by MTV Italy to celebrate the most popular artists and music videos in Italy.-Italian TRL Awards Host Cities:* 2006 - Milan...
in the category "MTV Man of the Year" and the MTV Europe Music Award in the category "Best European Act", after being voted "Best Italian Act".
His first tour, the Re matto tour, started on 3 May 2010 and consisted of 56 two-hour shows all around Italy.
During the tour, he collaborated with the choreographer Luca Tommassini, who has also worked with celebrities such as Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. On tour Marco performed a wide range of covers in addition to his own material, including "Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die (song)
"Live and Let Die" is the main theme song of the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die and was performed by Paul McCartney & Wings for the movie soundtrack and appears on the soundtrack album. The song was one of Wings' most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point...
", "Satisfaction
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
" Satisfaction" is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in 1965. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by Andrew Loog Oldham. Richards's throwaway three-note guitar riff — intended to be replaced by horns — opens and drives the song...
", "Mad World
Mad World
"Mad World" is a song by the British band Tears for Fears. Written by Roland Orzabal and sung by bassist Curt Smith, it was the band's third single release and first chart hit, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1982. Both "Mad World" and its B-side, "Ideas As Opiates", would turn up...
", "Proud Mary" and "Tears in Heaven
Tears in Heaven
"Tears in Heaven" is a ballad written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings about the pain and loss Clapton felt following the death of his four-year-old son, Conor. Conor fell from a window of the 53rd-floor New York apartment of his mother's friend on March 20, 1991. Clapton, who arrived at the...
".
A CD of the tour, along with a DVD, was released with the title Re matto live
Re matto live
Re matto live is the first live album by Italian singer Marco Mengoni, released on 19 October 2010 by Sony Music. It features songs from his previous EPs, Re matto and Dove si vola, as well as covers of popular songs, originally performed by Italian singers such as Mina and Mia Martini, or by...
on 19 October 2010. The album peaked at number one in Italy and was certified Platinum.
Solo 2.0
On 2 September 2011 Mengoni released his single "Solo (Vuelta al ruedo)", preceding his first full-length studio album, titled Solo 2.0. Mengoni co-wrote most of the songs of the album, working with composers including Italian singers-songwriters Neffa and Dente. Influenced by electronicElectronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
and rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, the album also includes tracks featuring the Italian a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group Cluster and the orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
directed by Fabio Gurian.
Released on 27 September 2011, Solo 2.0 debuted at number one on the Italian Albums Chart. To promote the album, Mengoni will embark on an Italian tour, the Solo 2.0 Tour, starting from 26 November 2011 in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
.
Musical style and influences
Mengoni's voice is typically soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
with pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
tones. During an Interview in late 2009 he defined his musical style as "British/black".
In several interviews, he has claimed that one of his most relevant influences is The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, . while Maurizio Porro described his voice as being like a "captivating miaow".
Discography
- Dove si vola (2009)
- Re mattoRe mattoRe matto is the second studio EP by Italian singer Marco Mengoni. In Italy the album sold more than 82.000 copies and received Platinum certification from the Federation of the Italian Music Industry....
(2010) - Re matto liveRe matto liveRe matto live is the first live album by Italian singer Marco Mengoni, released on 19 October 2010 by Sony Music. It features songs from his previous EPs, Re matto and Dove si vola, as well as covers of popular songs, originally performed by Italian singers such as Mina and Mia Martini, or by...
(2010) - Solo 2.0 (2011)