Shadi Fa: «London made me feel reborn, but my roots are 100% Sardinian»

​You grew up in Cagliari in the ’90s, when the Sardinian hip-hop scene boasted names like Sa Razza. How did you get into it? Is there a specific moment, a song, or a person that made you passionate about this culture in particular?

I grew up in Cagliari and then moved to Quartu Sant’Elena. I can say I lived through some beautiful years, the ’90s… such nostalgia. I got close to and passionate about Hip Hop when I was 16, back when rap music was still very niche. I have to thank my friend Gespa who, when we were kids, passed me some tapes, among which was Neffa e i Messaggeri Della Dopa. As soon as I heard that stuff, I thought I wanted to do it too. From there, I discovered a whole new world! I remember when I first heard the album Wessisla by SR Raza, I fell in love with those sounds. I closely followed Sardinian groups that I still consider pioneers of rap, like Sa Razza, Menhir, La Foss, Balentia, Zinnigas, Entroterra, Giocca, Menti Spesse, etc. Gespa and I had a group called Mamuthones Clan, born from spitting freestyles in a basement. I think we did more live shows than recorded tracks, which allowed us to meet lots of beautiful people and great artists with whom true friendships were born. As a listener, I always preferred the American stuff: I grew up listening to Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie, Big L, M.O.P., Cypress Hill, and many others.

​And when did you start recording music? Who did you take your first steps in the studio with, and what was it like making rap in Cagliari in those years?

In those years, it wasn’t as easy to record as it is now, so you had to find a studio or always rely on someone. I remember the first recordings at Studio 9 from Row B, it was around ’97-’98. Gespa was always present in all my early studio work. It wasn’t easy doing rap back then, but you could really breathe a healthy “Hip Hop” vibe: I remember the Jams at the Skate Park, events were always packed with people and I think everyone supported each other a bit more than they do now. Fewer resources, but maybe stronger values.

​You’ve lived in London. Where are you currently? And how did that city influence you, both as a person and as an artist, in your way of living this culture?

I left for London 13 years ago for work, I thought it would just be an experience and instead I’m still here. I think this city has helped me grow immensely in every aspect. I arrived here in 2013 and it wasn’t easy, I put my music on hold for almost 10 years, but this city, right when I thought I was done making rap, gave me the spark I needed. I met so many dope people, from writers to breakers to MCs and DJs, and I can say the movement is very alive: they still throw Jams all together and give space to all 4 disciplines. Both the Italian and the English movements are very active.

​In 2018 you joined Rockwilderz, a collective of Italian rappers based in London. How was that project born, is it still active, and what did that experience leave you with?

Rockwilderz is a project born from an investor and a graphic designer in 2018 in London. I joined it in 2020, the year of my artistic rebirth. The project was born with the desire to give a voice to a group of Italian rappers making classic rap but in a modern version, with a lot of care put into the visual aspect, merchandise, and videos. We dropped several high-quality videos, especially between 2020 and 2021. The roster is all Italian. In recent years we’ve been working mostly on solo projects, but the collective remains extremely active and there will be news soon. For me, it’s been a great satisfaction to become part of this project, we are like a family.

​Tell us about your latest projects. What have you released recently? Or what collaborations have you been featured on?

Since 2020, when I started making music again, I’ve already released several projects including albums, EPs, and unreleased singles. In 2020 came Classic, my first album, where everything started up again. In 2023 I dropped the album I’m most attached to, Senza un Titolo, together with Kiqué Velasquez. The singles Non ce n’è, Non basta mai, and Su Sonu de Sa Perda are my latest released tracks: 3 singles taken from the album coming out this year, entirely produced by Clive Donovan.

​Regarding the island’s scene, and more specifically Cagliari’s, who are you collaborating with now and who have you collaborated with in the past? How do you see the Sardinian scene today?

I’m on very good terms with various Sardinian artists, I’ve always liked collaborating with friends and acquaintances that I respect. In September 2025, the track Su Sonu de Sa Perda came out featuring Lord J, whom I’ve been friends with for a lifetime but we never managed to do a track together before. I have several collaborations with Sheik, a brother; with Kiqué Velasquez as a producer, a great friend as well as someone who taught me a lot; Alli-Q, who was part of the group Sa Lolla, present in every album and live show on the island. Esseenne, another great artist and friend. PannoBeats, another Sardinian producer in London we reconnected with. CFP Underground Solution, who we hang out with here in London, Cioccolato Bianco, Peppi, Mikerophone, Giant Versey, Karati Records, and many others, I hope I didn’t forget anyone!

​What do you have in the pipeline for 2025?

I have a ton of new music to drop, but right now all my attention goes to the new album coming out soon. The album is entirely produced by Clive Donovan, a young Sardinian producer I met here in London, who all of us Rockwilderz members collaborate with. New videos, visuals, new merchandise, physical copies, and everything surrounding the album’s concept will be dropping. Stay tuned!