From Vasco Rossi to the Streets of Milan: How Mattia Leo Found His Sound

In the heart of Italy’s fast-evolving rap scene, a new name is stirring curiosity among listeners and insiders alike. Mattia Leo, known to many as “El Flaco,” isn’t your typical artist chasing charts or clout. His story is one of grit, admiration, and the tireless search for a voice that feels both personal and powerful. To understand how Leo found his sound, you have to trace his steps from the electric energy of Italian rock to the raw pulse of Milan’s streets.

Before rap ever entered his life, Leo was immersed in the world of Vasco Rossi, Italy’s legendary rock icon whose music defined generations. Rossi’s words, often filled with rebellion and vulnerability, became a spiritual guide for a young Mattia. He didn’t just listen to Rossi’s songs—he lived them. On his Instagram, Leo once wrote, “A life with your music, with your energy… You taught me to live and to respect the most. I love you like a father.” For him, Rossi wasn’t just a musician. He was a teacher in courage, in saying what others are afraid to say.

That raw honesty became the foundation of Leo’s musical DNA. As he grew older, he began to find similar fire in another world—rap. It wasn’t long before he discovered Italy’s thriving trap and hip hop culture, where artists like Sfera Ebbasta, Guè, and Capo Plaza were breaking barriers. Their lyrics, their hunger, and their unapologetic self-expression resonated deeply. Leo saw in rap the same emotional charge he had felt in rock, only this time it came with rhythm, swagger, and street truth.

Milan became the backdrop to this evolution. In its smoky clubs, underground shows, and late-night recording sessions, Leo began shaping his identity. He wasn’t trying to sound like anyone else. His aim was to merge Rossi’s poetic defiance with the sharp storytelling of rap. The result is something uniquely Italian yet global in its spirit. His verses don’t shy away from pain or passion. They celebrate imperfection, hustle, and the beauty of being real in a world obsessed with filters and façades.

Away from the mic, Leo’s persona continues to build that authenticity. His social media presence mirrors his life—a collage of streetwear, nightlife, coastal drives, and tributes to the artists who move him. Each post is a window into the duality of his world: the rock poet who grew up on Rossi’s wisdom and the rap artist who thrives on the city’s chaos. In his own words, “There are people who make music for money and there are people who make it for passion.” That line has become something of a mission statement for him.

Today, Mattia Leo represents a bridge between Italy’s musical eras. He carries the spirit of old-school rebellion while breathing new life into the country’s hip hop scene. In a generation where trends fade fast, Leo’s devotion to emotion and honesty gives him staying power. From Vasco Rossi’s stage lights to Milan’s street corners, his sound was never something he stumbled upon. It was something he built—beat by beat, word by word, until it became entirely his own.