Italian music in 2025 is a richly textured tapestry: from glossy pop voices to indie provocateurs, from rock bands that filled stadiums to singer-songwriters exploring nostalgia. Here are some of the standout names shaping the Italian musical landscape this year.
Olly – The Sanremo Sensation
One of the biggest breakout stars of 2025 is Olly, a young singer-songwriter whose track “Balorda nostalgia” won the 75th Sanremo Music Festival. Wikipedia+2RaiNews+2
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Balorda nostalgia: Released on 12 February 2025, this song is a heartfelt ballad about the bittersweet longing for a past relationship. Wikipedia+2Corriere della Sera+2
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The lyrics reflect on memories: Olly admits in interviews that he feels a strong, unavoidable nostalgia — “ne sento in qualche modo la mancanza” — even though he’s aware of the reasons that relationship ended. Corriere della Sera
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The song topped the Italian singles chart. Wikipedia
Olly (real name Federico Olivieri) is part of a younger generation of Italian artists who mix intimate lyricism with accessible pop. His album Tutta vita (where “Balorda nostalgia” comes from) shows a maturity beyond his years: reflecting on youthful romances, existential moments, and the bittersweet tension between past and future. RaiNews
Winning Sanremo was a major leap for him: not only did he earn prestige, but the visibility cemented his place in 2025 as a key voice of his generation. His melodic style, anchored in emotional honesty, resonates strongly in an Italy that values storytelling in song.
Pinguini Tattici Nucleari – Stadium-Filling Pop Rock
No survey of 2025’s biggest Italian bands is complete without Pinguini Tattici Nucleari, often affectionately shortened to PTN. These “tactical nuclear penguins” have become one of Italy’s most beloved pop-rock acts.
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Their sixth studio album, Hello World, was released late in 2024, and by 2025 their tour across stadiums hit major milestones. insidemusic.it
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From Hello World, two particularly important songs are “Islanda” and “Bottiglie vuote”.
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The band’s 2025 tour was a resounding success: they played nine stadium dates, sold out, and delivered a show full of visual spectacle and big hits. insidemusic.it
PTN’s strength lies in their ability to blend catchy hooks with lyrical depth. Their songs often deal with youth, nostalgia, and existential reflection, but they do so with a bounce and energy that translate perfectly on stage. The 2025 tour confirmed they have both the fanbase and the performance chops to dominate in live music.
Elodie – Emotional Pop & R&B
Elodie, born Elodie Di Patrizi, has been a major figure in Italian pop for years, and in 2025 she continues to be one of the most streamed and talked-about solo artists. Wikipedia
Her style combines pop with R&B influences, and she has collaborated with a wide array of Italian artists (The Kolors, Mahmood, Marracash, and more). Wikipedia
In 2025:
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Her song “Yakuza” (with Sfera Ebbasta) remains notable. According to chart data, the song ranked #4 on the Billboard Italy Hot 100 in a July 2025 list. Accio
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Another track, “Mi rituffo nella notte”, is also in heavy rotation on the radio in 2025, appearing in radio charts. Recensiamo Musica
Elodie’s appeal is both vocal and stylistic: she brings emotional authenticity, but she also stays modern, aligning with current production trends. Her presence in 2025 underlines her longevity and adaptability.
Giorgia – The Timeless Voice
Giorgia, an iconic figure in Italian music, remains relevant in 2025. Even after decades in the spotlight, her voice is still powerful, and she continues to release music and perform.
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In Sanremo 2025, she participated with the song “La cura per me”, reaffirming her status among Italy’s elite vocalists. Wikipedia
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Her career spans genres: though she’s often associated with pop and soul, her vocal technique, emotional delivery, and stage presence make her a pillar of Italian music.
Giorgia’s enduring popularity is a reminder that Italian music still deeply values strong voices and heartfelt songwriting. Her presence in 2025 connects newer generations of listeners with the rich tradition of Italian pop.
Cesare Cremonini & Elisa – A Collaboration That Resonates
Two of Italy’s most respected artists came together in 2025: Cesare Cremonini and Elisa collaborated on the single “Nonostante tutto”, released on April 11, 2025. Wikipedia
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The song is part of Cremonini’s eighth studio album, Alaska Baby. Wikipedia
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“Nonostante tutto” is an electropop piece that blends both their sensibilities — Cremonini’s melodic craftsmanship and Elisa’s lyrical depth. Wikipedia
This collaboration is significant: both artists bring decades of experience, but they also remain relevant. The song creates a bridge between generations, appealing both to longtime fans and to newer audiences.
The Kolors – Pop Rock with a Funky Edge
The Kolors, a pop rock band from Naples, remain influential in 2025. Wikipedia
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Known for “Italodisco”, which had earlier success and remains part of their identity. Wikipedia
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In recent years, they’ve continued to perform and evolve, balancing radio-friendly pop, rock, and funky grooves.
Although no new smash single from them has dominated the 2025 headlines in the same way as some newer artists, their solid reputation and continued output make them a staple in the Italian music scene.
Tiziano Ferro – The Veteran Hitmaker
Tiziano Ferro remains one of Italy’s best-known pop artists with international reach. Wikipedia
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While his biggest hits date from earlier in his career (“Sere nere,” “Perdono,” “Il regalo più grande”), his continued activity and name recognition keep him relevant.
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His album Il mondo è nostro (released in 2022) still influences his 2025 presence; singles and collaborations from that era continue to be significant in his catalog. Wikipedia
Tiziano’s appeal lies in his ability to reinvent himself: emotionally rich ballads, modern production, and lyrical maturity. He remains a touchstone for both old and new fans.
Mahmood – The Trailblazer in Urban-Pop
Mahmood (Alessandro Mahmoud) is another key Italian artist in 2025. Popnable.com+1
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Known for his genre-blending style: combining pop, R&B, hip hop, and even traditional Italian influences.
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While no one 2025 single from him is universally dominating headlines in the same way as Olly’s “Balorda nostalgia,” his presence in charts, streaming, and media makes him one of Italy’s most significant voices.
Mahmood’s importance comes from his innovation: he pushes boundaries, challenges norms, and brings a fresh, contemporary sensibility to Italian pop.
Emerging Acts: Tony Boy, Lil Jolie, Maria Tomba, Sarah Toscano
2025 is also marked by a strong wave of emerging Italian talent, many of whom came through platforms like Sanremo Giovani or talent shows. ITALIA MIA
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Tony Boy: An urban singer-songwriter; his album NOSTALGIA (export) is resonating with fans. ITALIA MIA
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Lil Jolie: A Sanremo Giovani alum, known for emotional, trap-inflected pop. ITALIA MIA
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Maria Tomba: Folk-inflected, introspective songwriter; her album Requiem (per un sogno) was released in 2025. ITALIA MIA
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Sarah Toscano: Also from Amici, she competed at Sanremo 2025 with “Amarcord” and released the single “Taki.” ITALIA MIA
These artists represent Italy’s next generation: they are not just “newcomers,” but serious creatives building their own space in a very competitive industry.
La Niña – Mixing Tradition and Futurism
An especially interesting name in 2025 is LA NIÑA (Carola Moccia), who blends Neapolitan folklore, pop, electronica, and world-beat influences. WHAT A TUNE
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Her album VANITAS was critically acclaimed, and her single “GUAPPARÍA” (released January) is a standout — raw, rhythmic, and deeply rooted in tradition yet utterly contemporary. WHAT A TUNE
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This fusion of old and new is emblematic of a broader trend in Italian music: artists looking back to tradition, but remixing it for modern ears.
La Niña is a perfect example of how Italian music in 2025 is not simply repeating the past; rather, it’s reimagining it.
Others to Watch: Baby Gang, Sfera Ebbasta, Lazza
According to recent surveys of top-earning and streaming Italian artists: Popnable.com
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Baby Gang is making waves as a trap/rap voice — high earnings, lots of output. Popnable.com
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Sfera Ebbasta, a veteran in Italian trap, continues to be influential and financially successful in 2025. Popnable.com
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Lazza: Another hip-hop/pop figure who appears among the most prominent names in Italy in 2025. Popnable.com
These artists represent the strength of urban genres in Italy today: trap, rap, and modern street pop are very much central to the musical conversation.
Why These Artists Matter in 2025
Looking at this panorama, several themes emerge that define Italian music in 2025:
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Nostalgia is big: Songs like Olly’s “Balorda nostalgia” and PTN’s “Islanda” tap into emotional longing and reflection. This isn’t just youthful sentimentality — it’s a collective reckoning with memory, relationships, and time.
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Collaborations across generations: The Cremonini–Elisa single shows how veteran artists still collaborate in meaningful ways, creating music that resonates both with longtime fans and younger listeners.
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Live music is thriving: Pinguini Tattici Nucleari’s stadium tour is proof that live performance remains a cornerstone. Their ability to sell out big venues suggests that Italians still deeply value concert experiences.
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Emerging voices are diverse: The new generation (Lil Jolie, Tony Boy, Maria Tomba, Sarah Toscano, La Niña) is not monolithic. Some lean trap, others folk, others electronic — and that diversity is enriching the national soundscape.
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Urban music’s staying power: With artists like Baby Gang, Sfera Ebbasta, Lazza, and Mahmood, urban genres are not a fad — they are central to what Italian youth are listening to and streaming.
Conclusion
In 2025, the Italian music scene is vibrant, dynamic, and deeply rooted in both tradition and innovation. Whether it’s the tear-stained ballads of a young Sanremo winner, the high-energy anthems of a stadium-filling band, or the experimental fusion of folk and electronica, Italian music continues to evolve — while preserving the emotional soul that has long defined it.
From Olly and his triumphant “Balorda nostalgia”, to Pinguini Tattici Nucleari riding high on Hello World and a sold-out tour, to Elodie, Giorgia, and the cross-generational duet of Cremonini & Elisa, these are the names making headlines, filling playlists, and connecting deeply with listeners. And alongside them, a new wave of artists — La Niña, Tony Boy, Lil Jolie, Maria Tomba, Sarah Toscano — is expanding what Italian pop can be.
As listeners, both in Italy and abroad, we are witnessing a moment of renewal: a moment in which the best of the past and the boldness of the future converge in melodies, lyrics, and voices that matter.