Fedez Apologizes for Controversial Lyrics about Jannik Sinner
Italian rapper Fedez has issued a public apology following the publication of song lyrics that sparked controversy by mentioning tennis player Jannik Sinner. The controversy arose from a phrase that referenced the athlete’s accent, leading to accusations of inciting racial hatred. Fedez recently shared on an Instagram story the lyrics of a new song that included the phrase: “The Italian has a new idol named Jannik Sinner. Pure-blooded Italian with the accent of Adolf Hitler.” A member of the Bolzano municipal council, the capital of the German-speaking autonomous province of South Tyrol, filed a formal complaint with the prosecutor’s office. The complaint is based on an article of the Italian penal code that punishes incitement to racial hatred and propaganda.The artist added: “I couldn’t make it and all I can do is apologize. If something like this is not understood, it is because of an error by whoever wrote it. So I take responsibility.” According to Giuseppe Martucci, a member of the city council, the reference to “pure-blooded Italian” evokes the Italian fascist propaganda of the 1930s, and the mention of Hitler is unacceptable.I wanted to take a paradox and it went terribly wrong, about athletes who are born and raised in Italy but are often not considered Italian due to the color of their skin and apply it to Italy’s main athlete,” Fedez declared during a concert in Milan.
Fedez
Sinner, who has become Italy’s most popular athlete after winning four Grand Slam titles in the last two years, lost the US Open final this month against Carlos Alcaraz, also ceding the number 1 ranking.I felt it was my duty to act and defend the founding values of our constitution. We cannot allow public figures to normalize language that evokes racism and hatred.
Giuseppe Martucci
This is not the first time Sinner has faced questions about his Italian identity.
Before winning his first Grand Slam title and deciding not to participate in the Davis Cup in September 2023, he was the subject of criticism. The weekly Sportweek of the Gazzetta dello Sport headlined its cover “Caso Nazionale” (National Matter), with a double meaning. Subsequently, after winning the 2024 Australian Open, Sinner was received as a national hero and met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace. Both posed with the trophy and the Italian flag, and Sinner gave Meloni a warm hug at the end of the meeting.
