by Chiara Maffioletti
The rapper talks about himself after approaching his colleague and the start of the concert
Outside the Palazzo Reale, dozens of people brave the midsummer heat of those who are only in Milan. Some have signs: “Fedez, contact me.” They know it’s in, they saw it from a story he posted to Instagram just before (for those still doubting his power) in which he assumed he was announcing a project tomorrow morning would. However, they do not know that in a few weeks, precisely on June 28th, just a few steps from there in Piazza Duomo, Fedez will give Love-Mi a free concert organized by him with a charitable purpose: to help Tog Foundation, an excellence that takes care of children with severe neurological problems. “The idea – he explains – was to combine this event with my summer tour. Unfortunately I can’t do it after what happened. So I’m going to focus on this one date, I’m training to be on stage…if in doubt my surgeons will be there too…so if need be,” he jokes.
At the end of March, exactly two months ago, he underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer.
“The operation went well, the tumor was detected in good time and everything is 90% okay. I had my gallbladder, duodenum, part of my pancreas and intestines removed. The histological examination showed that there were no micrometastases, which is why I did not have to undergo chemotherapy. I am very happy”.
What’s the hard part now, coming to your senses in the face of this event of yours?
“Physically, the problem is the breath. I recently went to the Tananai concert and sang just one song: it was incredible joy, but right after I was out of breath. By June 28th I expect to be ready and charged ».
After his illness, he said his priorities changed. As?
“Actually, my priorities had changed for some time. They actually concern the attitude I have towards life, it’s hard to explain. Then there was the tumor: when you face such experiences, you realize that one of the goals you set yourself afterwards is to see your children grow up. Here this thing gives you a different spirit ».
When he announced that he had the tumor, he said that he would later share this experience, he would tell it.
“I need more time to process this. To better think about all that was. Sometimes it’s easy to forget, but I want to keep the window of that experience open. I need more time”.
Meanwhile, some of his seemingly simple gestures have helped many people. Like when he showed his scar.
“Yes, even the doctors who operated on me told me that shortly afterwards they were at a convention in New York and also there they spoke about the post where I showed my scar. I don’t know, I did it almost without thinking and although many thanked me, I still don’t understand why. Now that scar is just a part of me, my story.”
However, as now with his support for Tog, his story is increasingly linked to charitable initiatives or at least helping others.
«I don’t want to play the role of the saint or the sincere: I have my own benefits, really selfish in that I feel like I have a public benefit. It’s something that makes me feel good. I feel good about it.”
In this regard, he broke another taboo by saying that since taking psychiatric drugs, he “sees the world in color.”
“It’s an attempt to break the stigma that still surrounds psychoanalysis by undergoing therapy. A stigma that I had to break down myself: I had to mature that one should not be ashamed to confide in specialists and ask for help. I think these legacies stem from the stereotypes that still exist in our dear civil society, where going to therapy or needing additional therapy for one’s mental health is perceived as a symptom of insanity. I think that too many are still exposed to these stereotypes ».
When launching this event, he wanted to have J-Ax by his side, with whom he will sing on stage, and has not ruled out a future collaboration. After the partnership ended, you didn’t speak to each other for four years.
“It was important for me to have him close to me. The day they found the tumor, I had an appointment with him after a normal exam, so he was one of the first to know about it after my family. When we first spoke again (he had blocked my number as well) we were on the phone for six hours during which we got everything figured out. But the time was right to go further and focus on the beauty in our friendship.”
Could there also be a rapprochement with Fabio Rovazzi?
“Somehow it was already there: There are some videos in which you can see that we met at a concert and talked to each other for a while.”
It’s almost like she puts feelings into her work relationships and then feels bad about it. No?
‘Well, in the past I’ve gotten too morbidly fond of it. Mixing work and friendship isn’t always wise, in this case with Ale (J-Ax, ed.) We became close, not by chance, while working on a charity project, and we decided not to make songs together. At the moment”.
Despite this sensitivity, why does he say he has trouble showing his affection openly?
“Because I come from a family that expresses affection in a pragmatic way and not too openly. Maybe that’s why I’m trying to take concrete initiatives. I’m not trying to look like a good person, I don’t care. And to those who say I’m doing it out of ulterior motives, I reply that I’m doing it now. For Tog, the goal now is to collect as much as possible and I am reaching out to any company interested in sponsoring us so that they can apply ».
With all this, the relationship with his wife, Chiara Ferragni, seems even more solid if possible.
“All the experiences I had with her, everything that happened and what we experienced together, could only strengthen our relationship. We always say to each other that we are no longer just a couple, we are a real team».
Recently there was talk of his lesson to your son Leo when he explained to him that there are no feminine or masculine colors.
“Yes, after that I realized that he was the one who taught me the lesson: while explaining to him that there are no specific colors for girls, I realized that my daughter’s room is completely pink. I am not free from such clichés either and my son taught me ».
A few days ago he met one of his idols: Mark Hoppus from Blink-182.
“A joy. Being in the role of fan showed me the other side of the coin: my eyes on him are what others might have for me. The first concert I attended was theirs, brought by my mother ».
The last few weeks must not have been easy for them either.
“No – pause -. Under no circumstance”.
If music hadn’t found your way, have you ever wondered how your life might have turned out?
«I don’t experience music as a medium, but as a communicative valve. I like to communicate and music is nothing but a form of communication. If it hadn’t gone well, I think I would have looked for another option ».
May 24, 2022 (Modification May 24, 2022 | 08:22)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED