FSK

FSK SATELLITE ARE REFRESHING ITALY’S TRAP SCENE STRAIGHT FROM THE SOUTH.

In a time where the Italian hip-hop scene has been dominated by already-established acts that made a sudden splash in 2015-2016, 

the Southern Trap trio known as FSK Satellite have been refreshing the nation’s trap scenery and overall sound.

The trio, made up by ChielloFSK, SapoBully and Taxi B, has received widespread acclaim for their July 2019 debut project: FSKTRAPSHIT, which was re-released as FSKTRAPSHIT REVENGE in December 2019. The relaunch added six tracks to the original’s corpus, featuring infamous Italian MC's such as Gué Pequeno.

The praise for the OG project had mainly consisted of positive considerations about the variety of sounds and production styles (in large part courtesy of prominent producer Gregg Willen) complimented by the trio’s comparable variety of flows, lyrical content and concepts.

Most prominent are the elements of the 11-track record which reference the group’s roots and allegiance to southern Italy.

While not necessarily unique to FSKTRAPSHIT, the themes of heavy drug use, violence and riches, paired with noticeably aggressive deliveries, are not merely present to replicate trap stereotypes.

It becomes obvious through listening that these themes are supposed to reference perceptions and realities with regard to the south.

To anyone familiar with Italian culture, it will be immediately clear that the record’s extreme themes and style are a reflection of how this region of the country is (oftentimes unfairly and discriminatorily) portrayed.

“MELISSA P.” and “CATENE JESUS” are the album’s tracks that seem to have resonated the most with the public, and their content corroborate the above mentioned centrality of southern Italian culture as a theme.

The former track is named after the homonymous 2005 Italian film “Melissa P.” which is set in the south.

Besides the lyrics, which closely track this source material, the production on this song is indicative of the innovative nature of the beats that the public has pointed out. 

In fact, it’s one of the first instances of Caribbean and/or West Coast trap-style flavours being used in Italy.

The ladder track points at the more common southern practice of wearing Jesus pieces (“CATENE JESUS” means Jesus pieces), and presents 2000’s -esque production as well as delivery, all the while maintaining a modern mood-song style, auto-tuned hook included.

One of the tracks added on the REVENGE version of the LP, "ANSIA NO", went on to become the group’s major claim to fame. Much like the overall vibe of the group, the single marries expertly delivered aggression and intoxicating sounds.

They recently released the single "Snitch E Impicci" in collaboration with DrefGold, which climbed the Italian charts and marked an unprecedented and unexpected collaboration.

Given the success of this LP and the trio’s keen eye for evocative visuals and ear-grabbing sounds, rapping etc., it’s fair to say FSK Satellite will have many eyes pointed at their direction going forward, ours included.