Clessidra translates to "hourglass". It's a beautiful and evocative word that isn't commonly found in everyday Italian songs, making it stand out.
In the context of Fabri Fibra's lyrics, he uses it to describe a feeling of being trapped or having time slip away: "È come vivere in una clessidra" (It's like living in an hourglass). This metaphor perfectly captures a sense of urgency and the relentless passage of time, adding a poetic depth to the song's introspective mood.
Ever wondered what it's like to be a famous rapper? In "Chi Vuole Essere Fabri Fibra?," which translates to "Who Wants to Be Fabri Fibra?," the artist gives us a surprisingly honest look into the pressures of his own life. He repeatedly asks the title's question, suggesting that maybe being a star isn't as glamorous as it seems. He lists his anxieties one by one: waiting for his paycheck, feeling avoided by people on TV, and having a girlfriend who isn't a "diva." It all adds up to a feeling of being trapped, like "living in an hourglass."
This song is a powerful look at the two sides of fame. Fabri Fibra questions whether his stage persona has ruined his life or saved it. He touches on the loneliness that comes with public life, where one small mistake can make your followers disappear, and even your country might turn its back on you. In the end, he gives his respect not to the successful, but to the people who struggle and know how to handle defeat when nothing seems to go right. It's a raw and relatable track about the challenges we all face, famous or not.
Fabri Fibra, born Fabrizio Tarducci in 1976 in Senigallia, Italy, is one of the most influential voices in Italian rap. He started out in the underground scene in the 1990s, teaming up with DJ Lato in the duo Uomini di Mare before launching his own label, Teste Mobili Records, in 2000.
He went solo in 2002 with the album Turbe giovanili, but it was 2004's Mr. Simpatia that truly put him on the map and led to a major deal with Universal two years later. His breakthrough into the mainstream came with Controcultura in 2010, a double-platinum record built on hit singles like "Vip in Trip" and "Tranne Te." Guerra e Pace followed in 2013 and shot straight to number one.
Known for his sharp, outspoken lyrics, Fabri Fibra built his reputation as a "conscious rapper," tackling social and political issues alongside stories from his own life. With more than 2.3 million certified sales, he remains one of the defining figures of Italian hip hop.