ITALY: WHO ARE ERMAL META AND FABRIZIO MORO?

After all the drama and polemics and risk of disqualification they did it. Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro won the 68th Sanremo festival with Non mi avete fatto niente (You haven't done anything to me), a song with a strong text against terrorism.

During the week it emerged the song uses parts of a song Silenzio, sent to Sanremo newcomers section already three years ago. RAI suspended their participation and they couldn't perform on Wednesday as planned until the decision was made and they had an OK to go on, and they were back in competition on Thursday. Now let's see how EBU takes this, as they plan to go to Lisbon Eurovision with this song, that stays stricktly in Italian as "we represent Italy". Hooray for that!

Ermal Meta (37), born in Albania but moved to Bari, Italy at the age of 13, with his mother (a professional violin player) and a sister and a brother, leaving a violent father. At the age of 16 he starts to play piano and guitar and joins various bands before Ameba4, that takes him to Sanremo 2006 in Newcomers with Rido... forse mi sbaglio. They release one album but the fame awaits yet.

The year after he creates La fame di Camilla, and they release three albums, some notoerity and international gigs and praise from the critics. Also they end up in Sanremo Newcomers, in 2010 with Buio e luce. But fame awaits still.

When the band is over he concentrates on writing songs to others and becomes one of the leading Italians and a real hit factory: Emma, Francesco Renga, Patty Pravo, Chiara, Marco Mengoni, Francesca Michielin, Giusy Ferreri, Lorenzo Fragola and others line up behind his studio door in hope to get a song from him for their albums.

In 2013 he's back in Sanremo as an author for Annalisa's Non so ballare, and with three songs in Mengoni's multiplatinum selling album Pronto a correre.

In 2014 he's again in Sanremo an an author for Chiara's Straordinario, and with two songs on Mengoni's album Parole in circolo, including megahit Io ti aspetto

2015 he writes for Lorenzo Fragola e Francesco Sarcina (of Le Vibrazioni), but also Emma, including Occhi profondi.

2016 he finally takes part in Sanremo as himself, in Newcomers (actually his third time!) with Odio le favole. he ends 3rd behind Francesco Gabbani and Chiara Dello Iacovo (who?). He releases a succesful solo album and wins over critic and public finally.

2017 He's invited among Big in Sanremo thanks to his string of hits and success over the last year despite finishing only third among Newcomers with Vietato morire. he finishes again 3rd behind Francesco Gabbani (again) and Fiorella Mannoia. Second album is a success and string of hits continues from the album.

2018 He wins Sanremo with Non mi avete fatto niente together with Fabrizio Moro and releases his third album.

Check here a list of songs he has writtn for others

Fabrizio Moro (43), from Rome, he started his career in various bands singing rock covers and released his first single Per tutta un'altra destinazione in 1996.

In 2000 he participated in Sanremo Newcomers with Un giorno senza fine, finishing 13th (out of 18) and release his debut album.

In 2004 he's part of Italianos para siempre, a project where he sings in Spanish! He has also written for red Cross to help collect funds.

2007 he's back in Sanremo and wins Newcomers with Pensa. He also wins Mia Martini award with this his song anti-mafia, and later an important video contest for its video. The album with same name picks up a few awards over the year.

2008 he's in Sanremo among Big with Eppure mi hai cambiato la vita finishing 3rd. The video of the song agains wins awards. His success continues.

2009 he's in Sanremo as Fausto Leali's duet partner in Una piccola parte di me.

2010 again Sanremo with Non è una canzone, but gets eliminated the 4th night and doesn't reach the final.

2012 he writes for Sanremo and Noemi Sono solo parole, that finishes third. He also wrotes for Emma's new album.

2016 he writes for Sanremo and Valerio Scanu Finalmente piove, 13th place. He continues writing to other artists as well.

2017 Back to Sanremo with Portami via and 7th place. He also wins awards for best lyrics and videoclip.

2018 he wins Sanremo together with Ermal Meta and Non mi hai fatto niente.

Nine studio albums, one live and the brand new compilation album so far.

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