Italian pop singers have given us some absolute gems—those songs that hit the radio, and before you know it, you’re singing at the top of your lungs like you’re on stage at Sanremo. Many of these artists have gone global, climbing charts and stealing hearts from Europe to Latin America and beyond. So, here are 10 ugole d’oro (literally “golden throats”, aka wonderful voices) of Italian pop music scene that I think you should know. If they’re not on your playlist yet, it’s about time!
1. Annalisa
Annalisa is the rising star of Italian pop singers. Her music is a perfect mix of catchy melodies and electro-pop vibes, packed with themes of freedom and staying true to yourself. And clearly, that message resonates since she’s become the first Italian artist to win at the Billboard Women in Music awards, taking home the Global Force prize, which is given to artists who inspire new generations worldwide.
Many of her songs have become tormentoni (huge hits), like Mon amour, with its ridiculously catchy hook: Ho visto lei che bacia lui, che bacia lei, che bacia me (I saw her kiss him, who kisses her, who kisses me). Good luck getting that out of your head!
And get this—Annalisa has even made it to space! In 2015, astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti played her song Una finestra tra le stelle (A window among the stars) during a mission, and more recently, NASA named an asteroid after her!
Top songs: Bellissima (Beautiful) | Mon amour (My love) | Sinceramente (Sincerely)
2. Giorgia
Giorgia’s voice is pure magic. When those soaring notes in Come Saprei (How could I) start playing on the radio, you just have to sing along—though let’s be real, she’s in a league of her own, leaving the rest of us wondering how she makes it sound so effortless.
She became famous in the ‘90s with E poi (And then), and from there, it was hit after hit, each one showcasing that perfect mix of soul, elegance, and mind-blowing vocal runs. She’s got the emotional ballads, like Strano Iil mio destino (Strange is my destiny) or Gocce di memoria (Drops of memory), but also some high-energy tracks like Il mio giorno migliore (My best day) and Senza confine (Borderless).
Fun fact: her dad named her after Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles, and years later, she actually got to perform Georgia con my mind with Ray Charles himself! That’s what you call full circle, right?
Top songs: Come Saprei (How could) | Gocce di Memoria (Drops of memory) | Di Sole e d’Azzurro (Of sun and blue)
3. Marco Mengoni
If Giorgia is the queen of vocal power, then Marco Mengoni is her male counterpart. His soulful voice can hit the most piercing notes with a jaw-dropping ease. Plus, the guy can pack so much energy and emotion into his songs.
His journey started as a teenager in the band “The Brainless” (yeah, not the catchiest name…), but everything changed in 2009 when he won X Factor Italy. That win landed him his first record deal, and since then, Mengoni has racked up gold and platinum records, billions of streams, and a shelf full of awards, including two Sanremo wins and the honour of being the first Italian artist to take home the Best European Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Top songs: L’Essenziale (The essential) | Due Vite (Two lives) | Ti Ho Voluto Bene Veramente (I really loved you)
4. Eros Ramazzotti
Eros Ramazzotti is one of those artists who’s been around forever but somehow never feels outdated. Born and raised in Rome, he rose to fame in the 1980s and hasn’t slowed down since—not just in Italy, but all over the world, especially in South America, where he’s a superstar. He was also the first Italian artist to perform at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York, and collaborated with legends like Cher and Tina Turner. And here’s a fun little fact: as a kid, he had a tiny role in Fellini’s Amarcord!
But let’s talk about his voice. Slightly nasal and instantly recognisable—it’s his signature. His music? Classic pop, mostly about love, often inspired by his own life. For instance, he wrote Più Bella Cosa? (Nothing more beautiful) for his ex-wife, while L’aurora (The sunrise) Is dedicated to his daughter.
Top songs: Più bella cosa (Nothing more beautiful) | Cose della Vita (Things of life) | Un’emozione per sempre (An emotion is forever)
5. Laura Pausini
Laura Pausini is the undisputed queen of Italian pop. And while she’s got a solid fan base in Italy, it’s Spain and Latin America were she absolutely dominates. Besides her powerful voice, what makes Laura so special is that mix of down-to-earth charm (complete with her adorable Romagnolo accent) and full-on international diva status. She won a Golden Globe and even scored an Oscar nomination in 2021 with Io Sì (Seen) in the Best Original Song category. And let’s not forget her superstar collaborations—she’s worked with legends like Madonna and Ray Charles.
Her songs are all about romance, perhaps a bit too cheesy sometimes. The soared to fame in the early ‘90s after winning the Sanremo music festival with La Solitudine (The Loneliness), a song that had an entire generation of teenagers sighing over Marco se n’è andato e non ritorna più (Marco has left and isn’t coming back). From there, the hits just kept coming: Strani amori (Strange Loves), Incancellabile (Unforgettable), E ritorno da te (And I Return to You), just to name a few.
Top songs: La solitudine (The loneliness) | Non c’è (There isn’t) | Vivimi (Live me)
6. Renato Zero
With his jet-black hair and theatrical style, Renato Zero is the ultimate Italian divo (star), pushing boundaries, wearing flamboyant outfits, and singing about freedom, love, and identity. What makes him truly legendary isn’t just his music but the way he’s built an entire universe around himself. His fans, the sorcini (which literally means “little mice”), are totally devoted.
Musically, he’s given songs that have become Italian classics, from Il cielo (The sky) to Il Carrozzone (The caravan) and Triangolo (Triangle). And his name? Zero is actually a jab from critics who once told him, Sei uno zero (You’re a zero) early on in his career. Instead of letting that break him, he turned it into his signature brand!
Top songs: Triangolo (Triangle) | Mi Vendo (I sell myself) | I migliori anni della nostra vita (The best years of our life)
7. Jovanotti
Back in the 1980s, Jovanotti was a famous DJ—his 8-hour live radio show on New Year’s Eve 0f 1988 is still talked about! He burst onto the musical scene with a fun mix of rap and pop, dropping catchy tracks like La mia moto (My motorbike) and Bella storia (Great story), which he recorded while he was doing his servizio militare (military service). Over the years, he also released heartfelt ballads like Per te (For you) and Mi fido di te (I trust you), along with high-energy anthems like L’ombelico del mondo (The navel of the world) and L’estate addosso (Summer on us).
His name has a cool backstory. Jovanotti sounds like the word giovanotti (Italian for “youngsters”), but it wasn’t intentional. A printing error turned what was supposed to be Joe Vanotti into Jovanotti, and the name just stuck!
Top songs: Ragazzo fortunato (Lucky guy) | L’ombelico del mondo (The navel of the world) | A te (To you)
8. Loredana Bertè
Long, electric blue hair, a rough, unmistakable voice, and that rebellious spirit that’s never faded: that’s Loredana Bertè, the one who proudly declared Non sono una signora (I’m not a lady) and turned the song into an anthem of female empowerment. She’s never been one to follow the rules, and even in her 70s, she’s still pushing boundaries. An example? Her Sanremo debut in 1986, where she performed with a fake pregnancy belly—pure scandal at the time. Fast-forward to 2011, and Lady Gaga paid tribute to her by doing the same thing.
Loredana Bertè’s music range is just as wild, with everything from catchy pop hooks to rock vibes, with a little reggae thrown in. She sings about love, loneliness, and rebellion with the same fire, whether she’s calling out a guy who tries to belittle her in Sei bellissima (You’re beautiful), capturing the quiet melancholy of winter in Il mare d’inverno (The winter sea), or celebrating life on the edge in Pazza (Crazy).
Top songs: Sei bellissima (You’re beautiful) | Non sono una signora (I’m not a lady) | Dedicato (Dedicated)
9. Cesare Cremonini
Cesare Cremonini is one of those artists who’s constantly evolving without ever losing his magic. He started out as the frontman of Lùnapop, the band that gave us 50 Special, the ultimate Vespa anthem. And honestly, that song is still a great hit, even 25 years later. When the band split, Cremonini went solo, taking bassist Ballo with him, and it’s been nothing but a wild ride since—stadium tours, theater gigs, gold records, you name it.
He’s known for his emotional ballads, often with him at the piano, but it’s more than just love songs. His lyrics dive into a deeper level—feelings, memories, and those tricky human connections. Take Buon viaggio (Have a good trip), where the journey is a metaphor for life, or Nessuno vuole essere Robin (Nobody wants to be Robin), which is all about the modern ambition vibe (everyone wants to be Batman, no one wants to be the sidekick!)
Top songs: Buon Viaggio (Have a good trip) | Vieni a vedere perché (Come see why) | Marmellata 25 (Marmalade 25)
10. Ultimo
Some may storcere il naso (sniff at) seeing Ultimo’s name among such iconic Italian pop singers, but this guy is not even thirty yet and has already filled stadiums across Italy—not just once. Born Nicolò Moriconi, he picked the name Ultimo (The last one) as a shoutout to anyone who’s ever felt fragile or overlooked, just like he did. In fact, when he sings dalla parte degli ultimi per sentirsi primo (standing with the last to feel like the first), his fans go wild.
Ultimo writes songs that many label pesanti (lit. “heavy”), but at the end of the day, they’re the kind of stories people can easily relate to. Whether he’s talking about the unbreakable bond between lovers in Quel filo che ci unisce (That thread that connects us), or the heartbreak of Neve al sole (Snow in the sun), he has the ability to put emotions into words that hit home for just about anyone. His concerts are proof that his music speaks to everyone—kids, teens, adults—you’ll even catch entire families singing along!
Top songs: Quel filo che ci unisce (That thread that connects us) | Sogni appesi (Hanging dreams) | Altrove (Elsewhere)
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
