Jovanotti

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150
Name = Jovanotti
|Img_capt = Jovanotti during a live concert in Milan.
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Lorenzo Cherubini
Born = Birth date and age|1966|9|27|mf=y
Died =
Origin = Rome, Italy
Instruments =
Genre = Rap
Hip hop
Rap rock
Pop
Rock
World music
Occupation =
Years_active = 1988—present
Label = Universal
URL = [http://www.soleluna.com/ soleluna.com]

Jovanotti (often misspelt as Giovanotti) is an Italian singer-songwriter and rapper. Jovanotti, whose real name is Lorenzo Cherubini, was born in Rome on 27 September 1966. His family is from Cortona, in the Province of Arezzo, Tuscany. On 6 September 2008 he married Francesca Valiani at Cortona, in the Church of Santa Maria Nuova. Their daughter Teresa was born in 1998. He dedicated the lullaby "per te" to Teresa, one of the successes of the album Capo Horn (1999).

From the mix of hip hop, rap and disco of the early successes, however, Jovanotti departs gradually approaching to funk, world music and even classical arrangements and ska influences. As his musical influences changed, so to did his lyrics, which, over time, began to increasingly address philosophical, religious and political issues, which are more typical of the Italian cantautore tradition. His social and political commitment increased as well. Some of his earlier work is also closer to keyboard-heavy 1980s pop.

Most of his songs are sung in the Italian language; he also released a Spanish-language greatest hits album. His live album includes a short version of the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight". Jovanotti appears on several international compilations, most notably "Red Hot + Rhapsody", a 1998 tribute to George Gershwin, on which he performed "I Got Rhythm". One of his most famous songs was "L'Ombelico del Mondo". Jovanotti has also appeared in one Luciano Pavarotti's charity concert in 1996.

His 2005 CD, "Buon Sangue", is influenced by both rock and old school hip hop. It is one of his most innovative works to date. Edoardo Bennato collaborated on one track, while bass player Saturnino co-wrote two of the songs.

In 2007, he was featured at the end of Negramaro's song, "Cade la Pioggia", of their CD, "La Finestra", and in 2008 he has released the new album "Safari".

In 2008, he performs as guest artist on the track "Lugar Comum" on Encanto (Sergio Mendes album)

Commitment

Along with the evolution of his sound, his social and political commitment increased since the 1990's. As a convinced pacifist, he frequently worked with organizations such as Make Poverty History, Amnesty International, and he has contributed to events dedicated to debt relief (Global Call to Action Against Poverty). Jovanotti is a vegetarian.

Television

Even though Jovanotti has never had a UK chart hit under his own name, he was briefly known in the United Kingdom as the presenter of the DEF II programme Gimme 5. The show, which featured a brief introduction each week by Jovanotti, showcased youth television programmes from around the world.

Gino Latino

Jovanotti was behind one of two rival Gino Latino italo house tracks in the early 1990s. His Gino Latino single, "Welcome", reached Number 17 on the UK Top 75 Singles chart.

The title "Piove" was released for the third season of The Sopranos as an ending credits track.

Trivia

The name Jovanotti derives from the plural form of the Italian word "giovanotto" ("young man"), i.e. giovanotti. Lorenzo Cherubini originally auditioned a band with the name "I Giovanotti", but the record producer only was interested in him. He then decided on an Italo-American name of "Joe Vanotti" before conjugating it to his famous moniker "Jovanotti". The spelling Jovanotti is anglicised, the letter j not being used in Italian.

Jovanotti has a friendship with Bono due to their mutual quest for the cancellation of foreign debt in poor African countries. He also collaborated with Michael Franti of Spearhead on his Capohorn album. Both Michael Franti and U2 "misspell" his name as Giovanotti in the liner note credits.

Discography

Albums

* "Jovanotti for President" (1988)
* "La mia moto" (1989)
* "Giovani Jovanotti" (1990)
* "Una tribù che balla" (1991)
* "Lorenzo 92" (1992)
* "Lorenzo 94" (1994)
* "Lorenzo Raccolta" (1995, collection)
* "Lorenzo 97 - L'albero" (1997)
* "Lorenzo 99 - Capo Horn" (1999) #10 Switzerland , #24 Austria
* "Lorenzo live - Autobiografia di una festa" (2000, live) #6 Italy , #71 Switzerland
* "Pasaporte - Lo mejor de" (2001, collection)
* "Lorenzo 2002 - Il quinto mondo" (2002) #1 Italy , #11 Switzerland , #20 Austria
* "Buon Sangue" (2005) #1 Italy , #9 Switzerland , #49 Austria
* "Safari" (2008) #1 Italy , #4 Switzerland , #8 United World Chart , #70 Austria

Links

* [http://www.soleluna.com Official Homepage (Italian)]