The controversy surrounding Italian trap artist Tony Effe is escalating following accusations of sexism in his lyrics, which led to his exclusion from the New Year’s concert in Rome. In response, Effe’s management is taking a stand, claiming that the decision to remove him from the lineup constitutes “damage to his image.” Surprisingly, the event’s organizers, Pegaso Management, Vivo Concerti, and Friends&Partners, have publicly expressed their dismay over the city’s decision, stating their “surprise and disappointment” at the cancellation of Effe’s performance at the 2025 event at Circo Massimo.
The two organizing companies criticized the manner in which the decision was made, arguing that it lacked valid justification and came after an agreement had been reached. The municipal government had previously sent a notice asking for Effe to withdraw from the lineup, labeling him as divisive. This decision followed a letter from several female city council members and activists from the Democratic Party and Azione, who urged Mayor Roberto Gualtieri to cancel Effe’s participation due to concerns that his lyrics “convey offensive messages towards women and normalize violent behavior.” The mayor defended the choice, stating that the decision aimed to avoid further division within the city and respect community sensitivities.
In the aftermath of the controversy, Effe’s management expressed the visible impact on the artist’s reputation, emphasizing that they learned about the situation through media headlines rather than official communication. Meanwhile, Carlo Conti, the artistic director for Sanremo 2025, dismissed concerns regarding Effe’s potential exclusion from the festival. He clarified that his role focused solely on selecting songs, ensuring that none of the entries for Sanremo 2025 addressed themes inappropriately. Marcello Ciannamea, the director of Prime Time Entertainment at Rai, reiterated this stance, confirming that Effe’s submitted song does not contain sexist phrases, thus affirming his participation in the festival remains intact.
