Marco Mengoni
Early Life
Marco Mengoni was born on December 25, 1988, in Ronciglione, a small town in the province of Viterbo, Italy. His passion for music began at a young age, and he started singing in various local bands as a teenager.
Career
Mengoni's career took off in 2009 when he won the third season of the Italian version of The X Factor. His victory earned him a recording contract with Sony Music Italy, and he released his debut EP, Dove si vola, shortly after.
In 2010, Mengoni released his first full-length album, Re matto, which topped the Italian Albums Chart and was certified multi-platinum by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry (FIMI). The album included the hit single "Stanco (Deeper Inside)", which reached number one on the Italian Singles Chart.
Mengoni continued to build his career with the release of his second album, Solo 2.0, in 2011. The album, which included the hit singles "Tanto il resto cambia" and "Dall'inferno", also topped the Italian Albums Chart and was certified multi-platinum by FIMI.
In 2013, Mengoni represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "L'essenziale". He finished seventh in the competition, but the song became a major hit in Italy and several other European countries.
Mengoni has since released several more albums, including Parole in circolo (2015), Le cose che non ho (2015), and Atlantico (2018), all of which have been successful both commercially and critically.
Musical Style and Influences
Mengoni's music is primarily pop, but he incorporates elements of rock, soul, and electronic music into his sound. He is known for his powerful and emotive vocal performances, and his songs often deal with themes of love, loss, and personal growth.
Mengoni has cited a wide range of artists as influences on his music, including David Bowie, Prince, and Michael Jackson. He has also expressed admiration for Italian singers such as Lucio Battisti and Mina.
Awards and Achievements
Over the course of his career, Mengoni has received numerous awards and accolades for his music. He has won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best European Act twice, in 2010 and 2013. He has also won several Italian Music Awards, including Best Male Artist and Best Album.
In addition to his music awards, Mengoni has been recognized for his contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2016, he was awarded the Gay Music Chart Award for his song "Ti ho voluto bene veramente", which deals with themes of love and acceptance.
Personal Life
Mengoni is openly gay and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in Italy. He has also been involved in various charitable activities, including fundraising for cancer research and supporting organizations that provide aid to refugees.