Sfera Ebbasta (real name Gionata Boschetti; born December 7, 1992 in Sesto San Giovanni, Lombardy, Italy) is an Italian rapper, songwriter, and one of the key figures of the Italian trap scene. He is considered one of the pioneers of Italian trap, the artist who helped take the genre from the underground to the mainstream and turn it into an international phenomenon.
Early Life
Gionata grew up in the suburbs of Milan — first in Sesto San Giovanni and later in Cinisello Balsamo. His family went through difficult circumstances: his parents separated, and his father passed away when he was around 13. Stepping away from a traditional academic path, he began working early and searching for himself through music.
Path to Music
He started releasing his first videos and tracks around 2011–2012, before meeting producer Charlie Charles. Together they founded the collective Billion Headz Money Gang (BHMG). In 2015 his first major project was released — the album XDVR, which became a landmark moment for the Italian rap scene.
Commercial Breakthrough
In 2016 he released his self-titled album Sfera Ebbasta on major labels. It received strong support, debuted at No. 1 on the Italian charts, and cemented his status as a leading voice of a new generation.
In 2018 came the album Rockstar, featuring international collaborations and marking a turning point: it made Sfera the first Italian artist to enter Spotify’s global top charts.
In 2020 he released Famoso, working with artists such as Offset, J Balvin and others, further consolidating his international profile.
In 2023 he returned with the album X2VR, followed in 2025 by the joint project Santana Money Gang with Italian rapper Shiva.
Style and Artistic Aesthetic
Sfera Ebbasta’s music is characterized by:
- a distinctive voice and flow,
- dense, hard-hitting production with a strong trap influence,
- a bold visual identity — luxury brands, jewelry, and a “star lifestyle”.
The lyrics of many of his tracks reflect the lives and aspirations of youth from the Milan suburbs, reframed through the lens of high-profile success and global ambition.
Live Performances and International Reach
Sfera performs regularly both in Italy and abroad, appears at major festivals, collaborates with international artists, and steadily expands his presence beyond the Italian market. His albums and singles have earned multiple gold and platinum certifications, setting sales and streaming records among Italian artists.
Controversies and Difficult Moments
His career has also seen tragic and controversial episodes, one of the most discussed being the nightclub tragedy in which several people died during an event associated with his concert. The incident sparked broad public debate and became a turning point in discussions about safety at mass events in Italy.
Sfera has also drawn attention from authorities and media over the themes and imagery present in some of his lyrics.
Impact
Sfera Ebbasta is regarded not only as a commercially successful artist, but as a cultural phenomenon. His rise has significantly strengthened the position of trap in Italy, influenced a new wave of rappers, reshaped perceptions of the Italian hip-hop scene, and helped bring it onto the international stage.
Conclusion
Sfera Ebbasta embodies the new Italian hip-hop wave — a fusion of suburban realities and global mainstream aesthetics. From the narrow streets of Milan to international charts, his path shows how an artist with a local background can command worldwide attention. Through his hits, image, and visual language, he has set a new paradigm for Italian trap and continues to shape its evolution.
