Panette is a slang term that literally translates to "small loaves" or "small bricks".
In the context of this song, it refers to bricks of drugs, specifically cocaine or hashish, packaged for sale. The lyrics draw a stark contrast between the artist's childhood, where "Milka" (a chocolate brand) was on bread slices, and his adult life, where "Milka" is now the logo on these "panette", highlighting a journey from innocence to a life involved in drug dealing.
Sfera Ebbasta's "Panette" paints a vivid picture of a life that has drastically changed from childhood to adulthood. The song contrasts innocent memories with the harsh realities of street life. The artist recalls simple childhood pleasures, like playing "cops and robbers" and eating Milka chocolate on bread. Now, those games have become real, as he finds himself genuinely running from the police. The most powerful image is the transformation of "Milka": once a simple chocolate spread, its purple logo now represents the branding on slabs of hashish (panette), symbolizing a complete loss of innocence.
Throughout the song, Sfera Ebbasta describes a world of struggle and ambition. He talks about growing up in crowded 15-story buildings and the desire for luxury, like designer clothes and fancy cars. However, this dream is set against a backdrop of crime and danger, where friends sell drugs and dream of expensive ski trips while living a very different reality. He emphasizes his self-reliance, stating, "I don't thank anyone for what I have," and pushes back against outsiders who judge him without understanding his life, repeating the line, "They know nothing about me."