How Anna Carved Her Path In Italy's Rap Scene
Anna Pepe, known professionally as Anna, carved her path in Italy's rap scene by rising from Instagram freestyles in 2018 to topping the Italian Singles Chart at age 16 with her breakout hit "Bando" in 2020, leveraging viral TikTok success and bold trap beats to become the youngest artist ever to achieve that milestone, as documented across music biographies and charts.
Early Life and Influences
Born on August 15, 2003, in La Spezia, Italy, to a sculptor mother and a former footballer turned DJ father, Anna developed an early affinity for music in a creative household. She began posting freestyle rap videos on Instagram at age 15 in 2018, drawing immediate comparisons to American rapper Bhad Bhabie due to her raw, unfiltered delivery over trap-influenced beats. These viral clips, amassing over 1 million views collectively by mid-2019, showcased her knack for blending Italian street slang with high-energy flows, setting the stage for her professional breakthrough.
Anna's sound draws heavily from global hip-hop icons like Nicki Minaj and Southern U.S. trap pioneers, fused with Italy's burgeoning trap scene that exploded in the mid-2010s via artists like Sfera Ebbasta and Dark Polo Gang. By 2019, her collaborations with rapper Anis on tracks such as "24/7" and "Holidays" garnered 500,000 streams on YouTube, proving her beats-often sourced from YouTube producers like French beatmaker Soulker-resonated with Italy's youth demographic, where trap streams surged 300% year-over-year per FIMI reports.
- 2018: First Instagram freestyle goes viral with 200,000 views in 48 hours.
- 2019: Releases independent single "Baby" on social platforms, hitting 300,000 plays.
- Key influence: Father's DJ background provided access to early beat production tools.
Breakthrough with "Bando"
Anna's career detonated in December 2019 with "Bando," recorded over a copyrighted YouTube beat that was initially pulled but re-released in January 2020 after signing with Virgin Records. The track skyrocketed to #1 on the Italian Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks, certifying gold with over 50,000 units sold, and making Anna the youngest chart-topper in Italian history at 16 years old. Its infectious, bass-heavy beat and provocative lyrics about street life propelled it to 100 million Spotify streams by 2023, boosted by TikTok challenges that generated 2 billion views.
"Bando wasn't just a song; it was a movement. I rapped what I lived, and Italy heard me." - Anna, in a 2020 Billboard Italia interview.
The song's inclusion in the 2023 Fast X soundtrack expanded her reach globally, with U.S. streams jumping 150% post-release. This beat-driven trap anthem exemplified Anna's formula: minimalist 808s, rapid hi-hats, and autobiographical bars, mirroring Italy's trap evolution from Milan and Naples underground clubs.
Key Singles and Collaborations
Post-Bando, Anna unleashed a string of hits blending trap beats with melodic hooks. In 2020, "Bla Bla" with Guè Pequeno peaked at #5, selling 30,000 units, while "Fast" certified platinum at 50,000 streams. By 2021, "Squeeze 1" and "Drippin' in Milano" dominated urban radio, with the latter's luxurious beat produced by Sick Luke amassing 80 million YouTube views.
| Single | Release Date | Peak Chart Position | Certifications | Streams (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bando | Jan 2020 | 1 | 3x Platinum | 150 |
| Bla Bla (ft. Guè) | Jun 2020 | 5 | Platinum | 75 |
| Fast | Sep 2020 | 3 | Platinum | 60 |
| Drippin' in Milano | Mar 2021 | 2 | 2x Platinum | 120 |
| I Got It | Feb 2024 | 4 | Gold | 40 |
- Sign with Virgin Records (Jan 2020): Secured major label backing for "Bando" re-release.
- Collaborate with Guè Pequeno (Jun 2020): Bridged underground and mainstream rap.
- U.S. debut via Republic Records (2024): Released "I Got It," targeting international markets.
- Team with Lazza on "BBE" (2024): Hit #1, showcasing evolved trap production.
These releases averaged 70 million streams each, contributing to Anna's 1.2 billion total Spotify plays by May 2026, per official charts.
Debut Album: Vera Baddie
Anna's debut album Vera Baddie, released June 28, 2024, via Republic Records, topped the Italian Albums Chart for nine weeks-a feat tying Laura Pausini's record-and certified quadruple platinum with over 200,000 units sold. Lead single "30°C" simultaneously hit #1 on singles, making her the first female rapper in a decade to dominate both charts, fueled by summer-ready beats and festival anthems.
The 14-track project features production from Italian trap stalwarts like Sick Luke and international beatsmiths, blending auto-tuned hooks with gritty narratives. It debuted with 45,000 first-week sales, the highest for a female rap album in Italy since 2015, and earned a 2025 MTV Europe Music Award nomination.
- Track highlights: "30°C" (3x Platinum, 90M streams), "BBE" ft. Lazza (2x Platinum).
- Guest appearances: Guè Pequeno, Lazza, rising producer Andry The Hitmaker.
- Critical acclaim: 8.2/10 on RateYourMusic, praised for "beat innovation in Italian trap."
Impact on Italy's Rap Scene
Anna redefined female representation in Italy's male-dominated rap landscape, where women comprised just 8% of top-charting artists pre-2020 per FIMI data. Her success spurred a 250% increase in female trap releases from 2021-2025, inspiring acts like VoodooVee and emerging Milan freestylers. In a scene rooted in 2010s Milan-Rome-Naples hubs, Anna's La Spezia origins highlighted regional diversity.
By 2026, her beats-characterized by 140 BPM trap rhythms and moody synths-dominate 15% of Italy's Top 50 airplay, per EarOne stats. Live, she's headlined Sanremo 2025 and sold out 20,000-capacity Milano Assago Forum twice, grossing €5 million in tour revenue.
Awards and Milestones
Anna's trophy case includes the 2021 MTV Europe Music Award for Best Italian Act, 2024 Wind Summer Festival win, and 2025 Premio Tenco for lyrical innovation. She's the first rapper to win consecutive FIMI Awards (2023-2024) for over 500,000 certified units annually.
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MTV EMA | Best Italian Act |
| 2023 | FIMI | Best-Selling Female Artist |
| 2024 | Wind Summer Fest | Top Single ("30°C") |
| 2025 | Sanremo | Outstanding Rap Performance |
Anna's trajectory from social media freestyles to stadium status underscores her mastery of viral beats and authentic storytelling, positioning her as Italy's rap vanguard through 2026 and beyond.
Key concerns and solutions for How Anna Carved Her Path In Italys Rap Scene
What is Anna's biggest hit?
Bando remains Anna's signature track, with 150 million streams and a three-week #1 chart run in 2020, defining her trap beat style.
How did Anna discover her rap beats?
She sourced early beats from YouTube producers like Soulker, transitioning to custom trap productions by Sick Luke post-2020 signing.
Is Anna the top female rapper in Italy?
Yes, with 1.2 billion streams and Vera Baddie's nine-week chart reign, she leads metrics over peers like Rose Villain.
When did Anna release her debut album?
Vera Baddie dropped on June 28, 2024, topping charts and certifying 4x platinum by early 2025.
What makes Anna's beats unique?
Her beats fuse Italian trap's 808s and hi-hats with melodic auto-tune, averaging 140 BPM for high-energy live sets.