Top 10 Italian Pop Singers: Icons of Contemporary Music

Italian pop, or pop italiano, fuses the warmth of traditional Italian sounds with contemporary beats, creating melodies that resonate across borders and languages. The Italian pop singers continue to enchant global audiences, bringing a unique, distinctly Italian flair to the world stage.

This comprehensive guide enlists the top ten Italian pop singers whose voices define Italian pop, exploring their best works, achievements, and journeys.

List of Best Italian Pop Singers

1: Eros Ramazzotti

Date of Birth: October 28, 1963, Rome, Italy

Best Songs:

• Adesso tu
• Una storia importante
• Terra promessa
• Musica è

Accolades:

• Best Italian Artist
• Best Italian Pop/Rock Male Artist during the World Music Awards
• International Male Artist of the Year during the Echo Awards

Eros Ramazzotti is a renowned Italian pop singer whose vibrant tenor voice and heartfelt love songs have captivated audiences across Europe and the Spanish-speaking world, thanks to his albums released in both Italian and Spanish. Furthermore, with a blend of pop, rock, adult contemporary, and classical crossover, Ramazzotti has earned critical acclaim for his emotive performances.

He released his debut single, Ad un amico (“To a Friend”), in 1982, though it received little attention at the time. His career breakthrough came in 1984 when he achieved his first major success at the renowned Sanremo Music Festival. Over a career spanning four decades, Ramazzotti has sold more than 60 million records worldwide.

Being versatile, Ramazzotti also plays guitar, piano, and drums and has collaborated with global stars like Cher, Tina Turner, Andrea Bocelli, and Julio Iglesias.

2: Laura Pausini

Date of Birth: May 16, 1974, Faenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Best Songs:

• La solitudine
• Limpido
• Dove resto solo io
• Non c’è
• Incancellabile

Accolades:

• Grammy Award
• Latin Grammy Award
• Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song

Laura Pausini has captivated global audiences with her impressive vocal range and her skill to sing fluently in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, Catalan, and Latin. She began her career performing in local singing competitions and gained international fame in 1993 with her debut single, La solitudine, which won the Newcomer Artists’ section at the 43rd Sanremo Music Festival. This success led to her self-titled debut album, released in Italy on April 23, 1993, which became an international hit, selling two million copies worldwide.

Over her career, she has released 15 studio albums, including Laura in 1994, which sold three million copies globally. With over 70 million albums sold, Pausini is one of Italy’s best-selling artists.

Pausini has shared the stage with legendary artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Ennio Morricone, Luciano Pavarotti, and Phil Collins. Demonstrating her versatility, Pausini has also hosted Italian TV shows, including the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, and appeared as a judge on the Spanish and Mexican versions of The Voice and The X Factor.

3: Francesca Michielin

Date of Birth: February 25, 1995, Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza, Italy

Best Songs:

• No Degree of Separation
• Magnifico
• L’amore esiste
• Nessun grado di separazione
• Vulcano

Accolades:

• Premio Videoclip Italiano
• Rockol Awards
• Lunezia Award
• Premio Cortinametraggio

Francesca Michielin is an Italian singer-songwriter, writer, television presenter, and music producer who gained national recognition after winning the fifth season of X Factor Italy, performing Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love.

Her debut single, Distratto, soared to the top of the Italian FIMI Top Digital Downloads chart and was certified double platinum by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Following this success, Michielin released her debut studio album, Riflessi di me, in October 2012, led by the single Sola.

Over the years, Michielin has released five studio albums—Riflessi di me, di20, 2640, Feat, and Cani sciolti. Furthermore, he has collaborated with Italy’s most prominent record labels and performed at major clubs and festivals throughout the country.

4: Gianna Nannini

Date of Birth: June 14, 1954, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Best Songs:

• I Maschi
• Un’estate italiana
• Sei nell’anima
• Latino Lover
• Bello e impossibile

Gianna Nannini turned to music in the late 1970s, studying piano and composition in Milan. She released her debut album, Gianna Nannini, in 1976 and achieved her first major hit in Italy with the single America from her 1979 album California. Her international breakthrough came with her sixth album, Puzzle (1984), which reached the top 10 on the Italian, Austrian, German, and Swiss charts.

During her peak in the 1980s, Nannini recorded “Un’ Estate Italiana“, the official song for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, which became iconic. Her final album, Grazie, was released in February 2006. Known for her authentic, rebellious style and her refusal to conform to industry norms, Nannini has established herself as one among the top Italian pop singers.

5: Federica Carta

Date of Birth: January 10, 1999, Rome, Italy

Best Songs:

• Senza farlo apposta
• Che mettevi sempre
• Bella così
• Forte e chiaro

Accolades:

• Wind Music Awards

With her blend of pop, ballads, and contemporary style, Federica Carta has become a beloved figure among fans in Italy. Encouraged by her father, she developed a passion for music early on, taking piano lessons and honing her vocal skills.

In 2017, Carta gained national attention as a contestant on the 16th season of Amici di Maria De Filippi, where she finished in third place. Following the show, she released her debut album, Federica, which reached No. 3 on FIMI’s charts.

In 2019, she participated in the Sanremo Music Festival with the song “Senza farlo apposta”, a duet with rapper Shade. The single achieved both gold and platinum certifications, with sales surpassing 50,000 copies. Since Amici di Maria De Filippi, Carta released three top-five albums that recorded a sale of 360,000 copies in Italy.

6: Emma Marrone

Date of Birth: May 25, 1984, Florence, Italy

Best Songs:

• Arriverà
• Latina
• Mi Parli Piano

Accolades:

• All Music Italia Awards
• Bama Music Awards
• Italia Summer Festival
• Latin Music Italian Awards
• Premio Regia Televisiva
• Onstage Awards
• Rockol Awards
• TIM Music Awards
• Venice Music Award

Emma Marrone, known professionally as Emma, is a renowned Italian pop singer, songwriter, and actress famous for her powerful vocals. She is one of Italy’s most successful musical artists who rose to fame after winning the popular Italian talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi in 2010, which led to a record deal with Universal Music.

Emma’s musical style blends emotional ballads with a rock edge, creating a unique sound that resonates deeply with her audience. She represented Italy at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “La mia città” (“My City”), further solidifying her international presence.

Throughout her career, Emma has released seven solo studio albums, one extended play, and 39 singles, selling over 2 million records in Italy alone. Her music, which spans both pop and rock genres, has become anthems for many of her fans.

Still actively performing and touring, Emma’s latest album, Essere Qui, continues to top charts across Europe.

7: Antonio Maggio

Date of Birth: August 8, 1986, San Pietro Vernotico, Italy

Best Songs:

• Inconsolabile
• Nonostante tutto
• Mi servirebbe sapere
• Anche il tempo può aspettare
• Santo lunedì

Antonio Maggio started his music journey as a member of the Aram Quartet ( a vocal group). The group won the first season of the Italian talent show X Factor. His solo career started in 2010 with his debut single, “Inconsolabile“.

Maggio’s first full-length album, Nonostante tutto, was released in February 2013, marking a milestone in his career. Later that same year, he won the prestigious Newcomers’ Section at the 63rd Sanremo Music Festival, further establishing himself as a standout talent in the Italian music scene.

Known for his vocal prowess and emotive singing style, Antonio Maggio continues to captivate audiences with his heartfelt performances and distinct musical identity.

8: Ultimo

Date of Birth: January 27, 1996, Rome, Italy

Best Songs:

• 22 settembre
• 7+3
• I giardini di marzo
• Buongiorno vita
• Niente

Accolades:

• Premio Lunezia
• Sanremo Music Festival

Niccolò Moriconi, known professionally as Ultimo, is an Italian pop singer-songwriter whose music blends rap, melodic vocals, and themes that are both personal and political.

His passion for music began early, studying at Rome’s prestigious Conservatory of Santa Cecilia at just eight years old. Ultimo’s career gained momentum in 2016 when he won the hip-hop music competition One Shot Game, promoted by the label Honiro, with which he soon began collaborating.

On March 10, 2017, he released his debut single, “Chiave,” followed by his first album, Pianeti, on October 6, 2017, which included the title track as a single. Known for his vocal versatility and emotional depth, Ultimo continues to captivate audiences with his unique mix of genres and insightful lyrics.

9: Federica Abbate

Date of Birth: January 23, 1991, Milan, Italy

Best Songs:

• Camera con vista
• Quando un desiderio cade
• Finalmente
• In foto vengo male
• La pioggia prima di cadere

Federica Abbate is a highly accomplished Italian songwriter, lyricist, and singer renowned for her prolific work in the music industry. She has written over 100 songs, including major hits like “Roma-Bangkok” for Baby K and Giusy Ferreri, and “L’amore Eternit” for Fedez. In addition to her songwriting, Abbate has ventured into singing, featuring on Marracash’s track “In Radio.“

Her songwriting gained further recognition when her song “Nessun grado di separazione” placed second at the 66th Sanremo Music Festival and represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016.

In September 2023, Abbate released her debut album, Canzoni per gli altri, preceded by a single of the same title in collaboration with Elisa. Throughout her career, she has worked with a roster of prominent artists, including Fiorella Mannoia, Fedez, Paola Turci, and Elodie, solidifying her influence in the Italian music scene.”

10: Gazzelle

Date of Birth: December 7, 1989, Rome, Italy

Best Songs:

• Quella te
• Mezzo secondo
• Sayonara
• Stelle filanti

Flavio Bruno Pardini, professionally known as Gazzelle, adopted his stage name for its unique sound and as a tribute to the iconic Adidas Gazelle sneakers. He launched his music career in 2016 with the single “Quella te,” which quickly captured attention and paved the way for his rising success. His debut album, Superbattito, released in 2017, brought him widespread recognition within the Italian music scene.

Gazzelle is known for his vocal versatility and emotive style, which resonate deeply with fans. His music blends introspective lyrics that explore themes of love, daily life, and self-reflection with catchy pop melodies that range from melancholy to vibrant energy. His skill to connect with listeners through raw and relatable lyrics wrapped in engaging, dynamic sounds has continued to define his career and cement his status amongst contemporary Italian pop singers.