Not only an anagram of his middle name but a Malay word for "rhythm," Irama is the nickname of songwriter Filippo Maria Fanti, who draws on a background in freestyle rap competitions for his stylized Italian pop. He found mainstream success in 2018 after appearing on and winning the 17th edition of the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi, and releasing his double-platinum-selling sophomore LP Giovani. He remained a mainstay on the Italian charts into the next decade with hit singles like 2020's "Mediterranea" and 2021's "La genesi del tuo colore."

Born in Tuscany and based near Milan, he was raised on the popular Italian folk and pop songwriters of his parents' record collection and wrote his first song at age seven. Fanti discovered hip-hop later in childhood and started taking part in freestyle competitions with friends.

In 2014, he began the process of competing for one of the newcomer spots in the Sanremo Music Festival and was a finalist with his song "Cosa Resterà." The tune was included on his debut album, Irama, which arrived on Warner Music in early 2016. It spent five weeks on Italy's album chart, peaking at number 51. The first single from his sophomore album, "Mi Drogherò" followed in June 2017. His fame escalated in 2018 after winning the top prize on the popular singing competition Amici di Maria De Filippi, which helped to propel his Plume EP and sophomore long-player Giovani to the top of the pop charts. Two years later Irama issued the EP Crepe, which housed the platinum hits "Arrogante," "Crepe," and "Mediterranea," and in 2021 he released the chart-topping non-album singles "La genesi del tuo colore" and "Melodia proibita." ~ Marcy Donelson & James Christopher Monger