The neapolitan musical tradition and the link with Sanremo: from Pino Daniele to street artists
Neapolitan music has always been a fundamental pillar of Italian culture; a universal language that has moved generations of listeners. From the poignant melodies of the classic Neapolitan song to modern ones ranging from pop to jazz, the musical tradition of Naples is a living and ever-evolving heritage. One occasion for celebrating this tradition is the 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival, which kicked off just yesterday, bringing to the stage in the Ligurian city not only established artists but also an echo of the musical roots that run deep in the heart of Campania.
The great Neapolitan singers of the past
Neapolitan music has always been a fundamental pillar of Italian culture; a universal language that has moved generations of listeners. From the poignant melodies of the classic Neapolitan song to modern ones ranging from pop to jazz, the musical tradition of Naples is a living and ever-evolving heritage. One occasion for celebrating this tradition is the 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival, which kicked off just yesterday, bringing to the stage in the Ligurian city not only established artists but also an echo of the musical roots that run deep in the heart of Campania.
This was followed by Pino Daniele, one of the most significant figures in modern Neapolitan music. With his unique style mixing blues, jazz, and the tradition of Neapolitan song, Pino Daniele revolutionised Neapolitan music. His songs, such as Napule è and Quando, became anthems for Neapolitans and anyone who loved the city of Naples.
Another great artist – who has left an indelible mark on the history of Neapolitan music – is Massimo Ranieri, who has brought Neapolitan song to the most prestigious stages in the world, including at Sanremo. The artist has participated in several editions of the music festival. In 1988, he stood on the podium, winning with the iconic song Perdere l’amore. While this year – at the 75th edition of the festival – the singer recorded his eighth appearance on the Ariston stage with the song Tra le mani un cuore.
Neapolitan artists taking part in Sanremo 2025
Among the big Neapolitan artists competing on the Ariston stage, in addition to Massimo Ranieri, we find The Kolors with the song Tu con chi fai l’amore, and Rocco Hunt with Mille vote ancora. Instead, as far as the Nuove Proposte are concerned, Andrea Settembre will perform with Vertebre, while, Vale LP together with the Casertan Lil Jolie, will interpret Dimmi tu quando sei pronto per fare l’amore.
During the Cover Night – to be held on Friday 14 February – Clementino will also take the stage, who will duet with Rocco Hunt on the notes of Yes I Know My Way by Pino Daniele, and Sal Da Vinci, who will perform Rossetto e caffè together with The Kolors.
Street artists: the living music of Naples
Today, the Neapolitan musical tradition is still alive in the streets of Naples, where thousands of street artists perform every day, carrying on a form of expression rooted in popular culture. The squares of Naples, particularly those in the historic centre, are the perfect stage for music that is born out of daily encounters with the public.
These artists, often young and talented, play in the city’s most iconic venues, such as Spaccanapoli, Piazza del Plebiscito, and Via Toledo, offering performances that range from traditional Neapolitan folk to modern pop, from jazz to improvised music. For many of them, the street is not just a stage, but a real school, an opportunity to make a name for themselves and earn a living through their musical vocation. Their music, made up of passion and improvisation, preserves the authenticity of a city that has always seen music as one of its most powerful forms of communication.
The link with Sanremo: a tradition that lives and transforms
The Sanremo Festival, now in its 75th year, is a showcase for Italian music that is renewed every year, but always retains a close link with the traditions of the past. This year’s edition of the Festival opens with a look back at the repertoire that has marked the history of Italian popular music, but also with the inclusion of new sounds and artists who – like the Neapolitan street performers – bring the freshness and spontaneity of our times.
Many of the singers performing on the Sanremo stage, in fact, grew up in environments that recall the Italian folk music tradition, and often their music is a fusion of modern and ancient elements. In a way, even street artists, while remaining outside the mainstream circuit, are part of this broad musical panorama that feeds the Festival every year, continuing a tradition that knows no boundaries.
This edition of Sanremo, which kicked off just yesterday, is an opportunity to reflect on the journey of Neapolitan and Italian music through time. From the art of Caruso and Pino Daniele, to the street artists who sing every day in the alleys of Naples, there is a line connecting the past and the present. And this line is music: life, passion and continuous transformation.